“Cutting early and getting good-quality silage is worth nothing if you’re not transporting and stacking the bales the right way.”

These were the words of Alastair Pollock from the Teagasc Mohill office at a farm walk held by Teagasc and Aurivo on Tuesday evening. The event was held on Gerry McCartin’s farm in Co Leitrim. The farm walk was part of the Silage 75 series of events which aims at getting farmers to hit the following targets:

  • Have 75% of silage saved by the end of May.
  • Make sure your silage has 75% dry matter digestibility (DMD).
  • Spread 75% of slurry after cutting the silage to ensure a strong second cut.

    • There are farmers who are spending time and money making silage, but then neglecting the transportation, stacking and storage of bales, Pollock said.

    He cited a Teagasc report showing the effectiveness of the various deterrents against birds picking at bales once they’re stacked.

    “Some people are using an 'X' on the bales or drawing an eye or putting up 2m lines, netting or balloons.

    "The research out of Grange actually shows that the 'X' on the bales doesn’t work, in fact it’s a bit of landing point for birds. The birds are actually attracted to the 'X'. The netting has been proven to work well,” he said.

    ’It makes no sense making bad silage’

    “The difference between 65%DMD silage and 75%DMD is the equivalent saving of €75/livestock unit on a cattle farm or €75 for every 10 ewes,” Tom Coll from Teagasc, Leitrim told the 70 people in attendance.

    “It’s such a big expense for farmers between silage wrap, netting and contractors that you have to get it right. It makes no sense making bad silage.

    "If you have the opportunity to go out now and make good-quality silage then do it. Don’t wait until the first week of June just because you’ve always done it then. It is worth going a week or 10 days early if you can."

    “You might have fewer bales with earlier-cut silage but it’s better quality and the cattle will eat less.

    "You’ll also have savings from cattle not needing as much, or any meal,” Coll said.

    Nutritionist with Aurivo Dr Justin McDonagh said the co-op has received more than 9,000 silage samples in recent years with the average pH being 4.4, the crude protein at 12% and the DMD in the mid-60%. Aurivo has been on-the-ground advising farmers to improve silage quality.

    “Poor-quality silage is like a bad foundation in a house… it’s the basis of the diet for so long in the year, it’s important to get it right,” he said.