Because of the cold spring, silage stocks are running out fast on most farms. When the weather does change, the priority will be to replenish stocks. Closing up more ground for silage is an obvious method, as is spreading extra fertiliser. Delaying cutting date will increase yields, but at the expense of quality. What about sowing high-yielding varieties?

Traditionally, high-yielding varieties were the preserve of Italian ryegrasses and Westerwolds. But more recently, hybrid varieties which are a cross between Italian and perennial ryegrass have come into vogue. These exhibit the high growth characteristics of Italian ryegrass, with some of the persistency and quality characteristics of perennial ryegrass. The problem with just Italian ryegrass is that it needs to be cut every six weeks to manage quality, while Westerwolds is an annual.

All of the main seed companies offer high-yielding silage mixes. These are suitable for outfarms that will be cut for silage two or three times during the year, with maybe a grazing or two in the back end.

Arable silage is a good option if you want to increase silage yields and reseed.

Arable silage is a good option if you want to increase silage yields and reseed.

Dermot Campion from Germinal says his company offers three options for those looking to increase silage yields. The first option is to use 100% tetraploid varieties which are higher yielding than diploids. The next is to use 50% hybrid varieties such as Aberecho and Abereve along with 50% tetraploids. The other option is to include red clover with the hybrid mix.

“There’s definitely a role for red clover in intensive silage mixes. It improves yield potential, increases protein content in the silage and reduces the amount of nitrogen needed. It does need a high pH and good soil fertility to get the most of it though,” Campion says.

Red clover should be included at a rate of 3kg/ac to 4kg/acre, but care should be taken not to graze it too hard with livestock. Tight grazing will remove the crown of the red clover plant and it will die back.

Arable silage

Dave Barry from Goldcrop suggests that arable silage could be an option for farmers needing a quick fix.

“If a farmer has silage fields that are spun out and he needs to build up silage stocks, then arable silage is a good option. I’d reseed in mid-April with normal rate grass seed, but include 50kg/acre to 55kg/acre of barley or wheat. The crop should be properly fertilised and sprayed with Undersown to kill the weeds. It should be cut for silage when the barley has headed out and at the milky grain stage in early- to mid-July. I would expect it to yield as much as heavy first cut and the field is then back to grass straight away.

Where the site isn’t good enough for maize, but isn’t going to go back to grass, then wholecrop wheat is a good alternative

“Maize is the highest-yielding forage crop, provided it’s sown on a good site and gets a good summer. Altitude is nearly more important than aspect when it comes to maize, with any sites 100m above sea level being very marginal. Where the site isn’t good enough for maize, but isn’t going to go back to grass, then wholecrop wheat is a good alternative and is easier to grow than beet. Fodder rape is another option. This can be sown in May and cut for silage in August with the regrowths grazed over winter. It’s not for everyone but could suit certain situations,” Barry says.

Good option

Paul Flanagan from DLF seeds says Westerwolds are a good option for many this year. Westerwolds are an annual grass variety, meaning it goes to seed in the year that it’s sown but doesn’t survive past a year so it needs to be reseeded every year.

“Westerwold varieties like Major can be cut for silage 10 or 12 weeks after sowing and should yield just as good as Italian Ryegrass. You’d normally get two very good cuts and then one lighter cut. Most farmers that have it would then oversow with Italian ryegrass or perennial ryegrass after the third cut. The seed is cheaper than Perennial Ryegrass at about €3.50/kg.

“Beet and maize are also good options for this season, as is arable silage. Sowing peas with the arable silage will help to keep the protein in the silage high. The big advantage of arable silage is that you have high yields and the field is undersown with grass.”

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