The average dry matter digestibility for 2018 across pitted silage cuts analysed by Glanbia was 70%.
These results ranged between a low of 51.5% DMD and a high of 83%.
This summer many farmers struggled to make silage as drought condition halted grass growth. However, excellent conditions in the back end seen farmers harvest silage later than usual.
Overall, Glanbia said 2018 silage was analysing marginally better than 2017’s crop but there was huge variations between samples. They also said that grass silage was showing high levels of potassium which will increase the risk of milk fever in newly calved cows.
Results
The following performance was recorded across the samples:
Average metabolisable energy levels was 10.5 MJ/kg with samples ranging between 8.2MJ/kg and 12.6MJ/kg.Crude protein averaged at 14.5% with the lowest recorded result being 10.9% and the highest being 18.7%.An ideal average of 3.7% for ammonia nitrogen was recorded.Silage is also well-preserved with an average pH of 4.Dry matter figures show major variation which would not be unexpected given the weather conditions in which silage was made. The lowest DM is 15.8% and while the highest is 48.5%.Glanbia noted: “Overall while averages are an indication, the ranges within individual results are large and thereby highlight the importance of getting silage analysed.”
They warned that a higher DM figure than in other years could lead to pit face instability.
It also meant silage would be prone to heating at the pit face and at feeding.
They advised feeding fresh feed daily and rolling back plastic pit covers back by small amount at a time to prevent heating.
There can also be problems with silage that have ammonia nitrogen levels above 10%.
These feeds tend to be less palatable and therefore reduce animal intake.
Glanbia suggested feeding it on a little-and-often basis along with providing a source of long fibre.
Molasses application may also be an option to improve palatability.
For acidic and low pH silage Glanbia advised the same feeding method as high ammonia nitrogen along with the addition of a buffer on top of the silage.
Read more
Silage season kicks off in January
The average dry matter digestibility for 2018 across pitted silage cuts analysed by Glanbia was 70%.
These results ranged between a low of 51.5% DMD and a high of 83%.
This summer many farmers struggled to make silage as drought condition halted grass growth. However, excellent conditions in the back end seen farmers harvest silage later than usual.
Overall, Glanbia said 2018 silage was analysing marginally better than 2017’s crop but there was huge variations between samples. They also said that grass silage was showing high levels of potassium which will increase the risk of milk fever in newly calved cows.
Results
The following performance was recorded across the samples:
Average metabolisable energy levels was 10.5 MJ/kg with samples ranging between 8.2MJ/kg and 12.6MJ/kg.Crude protein averaged at 14.5% with the lowest recorded result being 10.9% and the highest being 18.7%.An ideal average of 3.7% for ammonia nitrogen was recorded.Silage is also well-preserved with an average pH of 4.Dry matter figures show major variation which would not be unexpected given the weather conditions in which silage was made. The lowest DM is 15.8% and while the highest is 48.5%.Glanbia noted: “Overall while averages are an indication, the ranges within individual results are large and thereby highlight the importance of getting silage analysed.”
They warned that a higher DM figure than in other years could lead to pit face instability.
It also meant silage would be prone to heating at the pit face and at feeding.
They advised feeding fresh feed daily and rolling back plastic pit covers back by small amount at a time to prevent heating.
There can also be problems with silage that have ammonia nitrogen levels above 10%.
These feeds tend to be less palatable and therefore reduce animal intake.
Glanbia suggested feeding it on a little-and-often basis along with providing a source of long fibre.
Molasses application may also be an option to improve palatability.
For acidic and low pH silage Glanbia advised the same feeding method as high ammonia nitrogen along with the addition of a buffer on top of the silage.
Read more
Silage season kicks off in January
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