On average this year, grass silage is much higher in dry matter and protein and slightly lower in fibre, according to latest results from SRUC.
This means intake potential is up to 15% more than last year.
However, with the higher dry matter there will be an increased risk of moulds and mycotoxins, due to the higher pH and silage being less stable.
ADVERTISEMENT
Moulds which commonly grow on grass silage and other wet feed stuffs can often produce mycotoxins, which can be detrimental to health as well as performance. Conserved forages with a pH of four or less are considered fairly stable and tend not to encourage the growth of mycotoxin-producing moulds. Looking at the average dairy grass silage so far in 2018, the pH is 4.4, up from 4.1 in 2017, highlighting a potential risk of mycotoxins being present in higher levels this winter. When it comes to mitigating against these toxins, good clamp management is essential.
The Farm Advisory Service (FAS) recommends moving across the clamp face in no more than two to three days, also keeping it as clean as possible with a shear grab or block cutter has a big part to play.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
On average this year, grass silage is much higher in dry matter and protein and slightly lower in fibre, according to latest results from SRUC.
This means intake potential is up to 15% more than last year.
However, with the higher dry matter there will be an increased risk of moulds and mycotoxins, due to the higher pH and silage being less stable.
Moulds which commonly grow on grass silage and other wet feed stuffs can often produce mycotoxins, which can be detrimental to health as well as performance. Conserved forages with a pH of four or less are considered fairly stable and tend not to encourage the growth of mycotoxin-producing moulds. Looking at the average dairy grass silage so far in 2018, the pH is 4.4, up from 4.1 in 2017, highlighting a potential risk of mycotoxins being present in higher levels this winter. When it comes to mitigating against these toxins, good clamp management is essential.
The Farm Advisory Service (FAS) recommends moving across the clamp face in no more than two to three days, also keeping it as clean as possible with a shear grab or block cutter has a big part to play.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS