Max Sealy (FCG WhiteAvon)

A lot of clients have made autumn silage this year with excellent grass growth after the summer drought.  This analysis is fairly typical of a lot of autumn cut silage.  Grass quality is good as indicated by D value which is optimum above 70 and drives energy levels shown by ME which is good over 11.5MJ.

Protein levels in cut grass were good and with an effective fermentation they have been preserved at over 17% allowing lower protein to be fed in the TMR.

Dry matter would be ideally 22 to 28% but it is hard to achieve an ideal wilt in autumn conditions.  The main issue is the low dry matter which is only a few points above the fresh product (though the extremely rapid growth of autumn grass undoubtedly led to lower dry matters in mown product).  It is possible this was a slower fermentation than normal leading to dry matter losses in the pit.  An ideal dry matter would be 28% which is the balance between cow intakes and field dry matter losses during wilting clamping etc.  Maximum dry matter intake occurs at 34 %DM.  The sugars may have been used up in a longer slower fermentation than normal.  If this was wilted for 24 hours in average conditions, it would explain the low dry matter and high acidity.  Overall, this silage is a useful addition to forage stocks that balances dry maize well. 

This shows the importance of getting forages analysed and balanced correctly in the overall ration.  If you wish to have an independent review to ensure you are maximising the value of winter forages which are an expensive resource for your livestock business this winter, contact Max at maxsealy@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office.