FEEDING FOCUS September 2016 • Issue 19
Silage quality update – how will this affect winter feeding?
Further analysis of this season’s first and second cut grass silage is now complete and reflects the effects of a wet, mild winter, challenging spring and delayed summer harvest.
In summary, both first and second cut silage may not have the milk yield potential of last year but are more rumen friendly. In most cases, grass silage will need a fermentable energy boost to maximise milk from forage.
The first cut results show that 2016 grass silage has a higher dry matter (DM), lower energy, lower protein and is higher in fibre compared to 2015 results. Second cut results are very similar with the only difference being lower DM compared to 2015.
The table below shows the national averages for this year’s first and second cut silage versus 2015. It also shows the top and bottom 25% of results. Individual silage analysis will be more important than ever this year to determine how to get the most from your silage.
First cut grass silage analysis
Second cut grass silage analysis
2015 average
2016 average
Top 25%
Bottom 25%
2015 average
2016 average
Top 25%
Bottom 25%
DM (%)
31.2
32.4
37.8
26.2
33.9
32
37.6
25.3
ME (MJ/KG DM)
11.4
10.8
11.3
10.4
10.9
10.4
10.9
9.9
Crude Protein (% DM)
13.4
13.3
14.9
11.4
13.6
13.4
15.4
11.3
Sugar (% DM)
6.8
5.1
7.9
6.5
6.7
3.6
6
4.2
NDF (% DM)
47
49.4
54.2
44.4
48.2
51
55.7
45.7
Lactic Acid (% DM)
89
84
101
67
78
85
101
65
D value
71.1
67.7
70.7
65.1
68.2
65.2
68.1
62
Balancing silage quality
Forage stocks and maize harvest
The milk yield potential of first and second cut silage is lower this year compared to last, although it should be more rumen friendly. This is driven by higher fibre, lower sugar and generally lower lactic acid levels. To maximise milk from forage, additional fermentable carbohydrates (starch and sugar) will be an important consideration when looking at winter rations. The table below looks at several different fermentable energy options available.
Reviewing forage stocks is an important consideration as we move into the winter feeding period. There may be plenty of total silage stocks available but quality could be variable between cuts and clamps. Alternative bulk feeds could be an opportunity to improve the quality of rations, help intake and milk yield potential of poorer quality silage.
Enery (MJ/kg DM)
Starch (%DM)
Sugar (%DM)
Rapidly fermentable carbohydrate
Bread
13.5
73
6
High
Biscuit meal
15.2
42
13
High
FFarmol
12.5
n/a
60
High
Rolled wheat
13.5
66
3
Medium
Ground maize
14.2
69
2
Medium
Protein levels appear to be lower in a lot of cases this season, additional supplementation from protein sources with a high level of by-pass protein may be beneficial. Cost effective options to consider are RapePlus and wheat distillers.
Š ForFarmers 2016. All rights reserved
Maize crop potential looks favourable in many areas of the country, with good bulk and cob development. Ultimately maize silage quality will be determined by time of harvest and weather conditions. If there are any concerns about volume, quality and availability then again alternative bulk feeds could be a stopgap option. Both brewers grains and SelcoPlus offer key nutrients to improve ration nutrient quality and support any volume shortfalls. Dry matter (%)
Energy (MJ/kg DM)
Protein (%DM)
Starch (%DM)
Brewers grains
24
11.6
25
n/a
SelcoPlus
46
13.0
19
16
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