Firstly you must determine overall demand for winter. The Irish Farmer’s Journal fodder calculator can help you total silage demand on your farm.

It is important to measure your pit and find out what silage is in already.

To do so, multiply the length (m) by the width (m) by the height (m) and divide this figure by 1.35. This will give you the tonnes in fresh weight in your silage pit.

A normal bale of silage will have 600kg of fresh weight, while a well-packed bale will have 700kg of silage.

Suckler cows will consume 1.4t of silage/month, store cattle will consume 1.2t/month and weanlings will consume 0.7t of silage/month. Feeding more meal will reduce these amounts.

Bales

Baled silage is calculated by the number of bales and yield per bale, eg 75t/bale. To calculate the silage surplus or deficit, subtract silage in the pit + silage to be cut + baled silage from the total demand of the herd, which can be found using the IFJ fodder calculator.

If the deficit is very large, then you must consider the following options:

  • Buy extra fodder locally.
  • Buy additional meal.
  • Sell stock.
  • Consider finishing animals on ad lib meals.
  • A link to the fodder calculator can be found here.

    Read more

    Beef management: drought, winter bedding and financial management

    Dealing with drought on Tullamore farm