The level of production cows deliver from a fodder ultimately depends on the intakes that are achieved, and feed space is a fundamental factor that influences this.

“You could have the best silage analysis in the world, but if cows don’t have enough room to eat it, they won’t produce the litres to match its potential. Cows should be allowed at least 30cm each at the feeding barrier,” says Dairylink adviser Aidan Cushnahan.

Calculations from a programme farm indicate that, if silage intake varies by plus or minus 1kgDM, then potential milk from silage varies by 2l.

The advice from Aidan is to monitor feed intake on a regular basis and to analyse silage quality more than once during the winter.

Lower intakes among first lactation heifers also need to be allowed for in feed plans, especially if heifers are not separated from the rest of the herd.

“A first lactation heifer would typically be expected to take around 3l less from forage than her fully grown counterpart,” Aidan said.

Read more in this week's Irish Farmers Journal, in shops Thursday.