Making silage to sell this year

jj92

I'm considering making a second cut of silage (bales) to sell this year as we are less stocked compared to previous years and if we can finish a few we'll probably manage for grazing after the first cut without the silage fields with the use of extra fertiliser, effort etc.

This involves a fair outlay for fertiliser, sprays, contractor costs etc. Would lads here think this is a viable option this year or madness and we should just restock?

Sam Kade

You could let out the silage ground for a couple of months. The man taking it does the rest including fertilizer. A neighbour of mine did that with the first cut €135/acre up front and no costs.

mahoney_j

Definetly a viable option as all the signs are that fodder will be scarce next winter as well due to weather difficulties over the lst few months.But on the other hand it is a serious time to try and get into more stock especially weanlings 350 kg and under.nice position to be in as you will sell silage of even average quality for decent money and also buy excellent stock for small money

jj92

I'd be worried about letting it as the fella taking it might not put in what he took out in P and K, but 135/acre is handy enough money for no work! Might be an idea if I'd charge a bit more and spread myself.

As for restocking, it does look like animals requiring feeding are cheap. Maybe a bit of both. Definitely going to try and get as much out of the grass as we can this year.

blue5000

Bit off topic. I don't know how accurate it is but there is serious variation in cattle prices across the country according to last weeks comic, eg 2-300 kg heifers are only making 1.54 a kg in Listowel. Enniscorthy is 2.10, that's for average quality.

Username John

jj92 wrote: »

I'd be worried about letting it as the fella taking it might not put in what he took out in P and K, but 135/acre is handy enough money for no work! Might be an idea if I'd charge a bit more and spread myself.

As for restocking, it does look like animals requiring feeding are cheap. Maybe a bit of both. Definitely going to try and get as much out of the grass as we can this year.

You can assume he wont put out in P & K what he takes away in silage. They may just put out straight N, and no P&K.

Do you have access to slurry to replace the P&K? If you have, then I would let it for the €135 if you can get it, and put on slurry to go towards replacing the P&K.

jj92

Username John wrote: »

You can assume he wont put out in P & K what he takes away in silage. They may just put out straight N, and no P&K.

Do you have access to slurry to replace the P&K? If you have, then I would let it for the €135 if you can get it, and put on slurry to go towards replacing the P&K.

We put all slurry on silage ground each year, P and K is expensive stuff, wouldn't let someone take silage without factoring in the cost, false economy IMO.

At the prices mentioned above for heifers it might be worth getting a few in alright, big variation in prices though. I'd imagine they'd be coming straight off the cow too.

Figerty

blue5000 wrote: »

Bit off topic. I don't know how accurate it is but there is serious variation in cattle prices across the country according to last weeks comic, eg 2-300 kg heifers are only making 1.54 a kg in Listowel. Enniscorthy is 2.10, that's for average quality.

I sold an average Heifer two weeks ago in Ennis 260kg/ 600Euros. that's 2.31/kg. For an ordinary heifer that was ok.

Better quality animals were making about 2.60/kg, but the average was about 2.45. I heard they went up a bit last week.