Learn how proper grassland maintenance, timely harvesting, effective compaction, airtight storage, suitable silage inoculants and correct feed-out practices help produce high-quality grass silage while reducing nutrient losses and reheating.
Every good grass silage starts in spring with grassland management. The aim is to establish or maintain a dense sward, because only a dense, healthy sward keeps soil and dirt out of the silo. Soil carries harmful bacteria into the silage, which considerably impairs fermentation and feed quality. That’s why proper grassland management is so important. The first step is chain harrowing or tine harrowing. This:
Rolling is recommended as a second step. The advantages are:
Larger gaps in the sward should be reseeded immediately. Otherwise, unwanted low-quality grasses or even weeds may spread into these areas. Harvesting machinery also easily picks up soil and dirt in these patches, which then ends up in the forage.
Prophylactic measures such as overseeding can fill these gaps. In practice, this overseeding (usually around 5 kg/ha) is often carried out with special equipment every spring. For more severe damage, repair seeding is required. This differs from overseeding only by the application rate, often with 15 kg/ha. Due to growth competition from the “old grass”, it is always recommended to carry out reseeding in the autumn. If, for whatever reason, reseeding takes place in the spring, you should start this process very early if the fields are accessible.
Of course, choosing the right time to cut the grassland is also important. A rule of thumb is the so-called “beer bottle height”. Whether or not the crop has reached this height is of course also influenced by the weather. Sun is essential the plant to retain enough sugar. It is also important to cut the grass before the emergence of ears/panicles. There are grass varieties that have a higher tolerance level concerning the time limit of this emergence, meaning that ears emerge later in these varieties and thus a longer phase of bad weather is no cause for concern.
The foundation stone for a high-quality silage is laid during work on the grassland.
Crops rich in ryegrass are characterised by a high usage intensity and a high sugar content. With proper grassland maintenance, the crop remains dense and strong:
Basically, there is no “right technology”. There are only the right machine setting. It is important that the harvesters do not work too aggressively. The correct cutting height must be observed, ideally 7 cm. When tedding and raking the grass, the machines should not rake through the soil. Contamination of the harvested crop, as already mentioned, impairs the ensiling process.
Thanks to a huge advancement in harvesters, very high crop yields per hectare are now possible. Unfortunately, the high harvest yield often means that the feed stock is filled too quickly and thus oxygen is enclosed, which has a disadvantageous effect on the ensiling process. The following points should therefore be considered as “compacting rules”:
If you invest a little more time and diligence here, you will have less trouble and losses when feeding the silo!
It must be ensured that the silo is covered contemporary after the silage has been filled. Only then can a low-oxygen environment be created as quickly as possible for the fermentation process. If you wait too long, there is a high probability that a higher level of damaging bacteria, yeast and mould will form in the silo due to the delay and the losses can be severe.
When covering, please consider the following:
A sufficient feed out rate (usage of silage per week in meters) is decisive in the reduction of reheating. The following points should be taken as a guideline:
Furthermore, silage inoculants can improve the quality of the silage and counteract reheating.
Do not let the feed become out of date. You will pay the price for a delay in the first cut later in the year.
If weather conditions are settled and accessibility to the field is good, cutting and harvesting should be carried out as early as possible. In this case, you should aim for same-day silage. The grassland crop has enormous growth potential, especially for the first cut. A prolonged period of rain can lead to overripe crops. The result is crude fibre contents that are too high, at the expense of protein and energy content.
Optimal silage process | (rapid reduction of the pH -> dry matter dependent 4-5) |
Dry matter: | 35% |
Crude protein: | 16-18% |
Crude ash: | <10% |
Crude fibre: | 220-260g |
NEL: | >6,3MJ |
NH3-N: | 8% |
As much lactic acid as possible |
|
Butyric acid: | <0.3% |
Acetic acid: | <3% |
Only by creating optimal silage can you be sure that you will be able to feed your animals high-quality silage.
The quality of silages depends on the degree of ripeness of the silage, the weather as well as the dry matter and sugar content. In addition, the buffering capacity, nitrate content and number of bacteria are important influencing factors. Some of these factors are within your control as a farmer and you can influence the quality of the silage yourself with the right silage management (choosing the right time to cut the grassland, cutting height, wilting period and time the crop spends in the field, compaction and covering). Other value-determining parameters – such as the fermentation process and the ingredients of the silage, but also the aerobic stability – can be controlled mainly by the use of silage additives.
Strategic use of Josilac silage inoculants with TURBO Effect is advisable for low dry matter content. The fermentation process is reliably controlled and the protein quality is maintained. We recommend Josilac classic and Josilac grass.
To protect against reheating, especially when harvesting grasses with a high sugar content, Josilac with SYMBIOSIS Effect should be used. This ensures good acidification and high aerobic stability. The silage remains cool and fresh. We recommend Josilac combi.
In addition to improved fermentation, the stability of silage is a very important factor. Here JOSERA offers with the SAFETY-Effect in Josilac ferm and Josilac extra more protection against reheating and mold formation.
Retracting and distributing the silage in the silo should be done evenly in thin layers. The rolling weight is aligned with the recovery rate.
The rule is as follows: rolling weight in t = 1/3 of the hourly recovery rate in t.
Immediately after the introduction and compaction of the silage, care must be taken to ensure a rapid and thorough suppression of the air supply by correct covering. Here, the use of an underlay sheet in conjunction with a silage sheet with high UV resistance and low air permeability is advisable.
After the first days of fermentation, the correct application of the sheet must be checked, as the sheet may slip a little due to the formation of a fermentation gas hood.
After ensiling, the well-fermented silage can be removed for feeding. Particular attention should be paid to suitable technology and its correct application.
The silo must not be loosened, as otherwise air can penetrate the deeper layers. In the winter it is recommended to remove at least 1.5 m per week, and at least 2.5 m in the summer.
Conclusion
Good silage management is a prerequisite for perfect silage of the highest quality. It begins with grassland maintenance and clean recovery of the silage, accompanied by the use of a suitable silage additive and proper, airtight storage, rounded off with the correct removal technique.
