Replacing Silage with Concentrates

Round Bale

Hello,

I wonder if some of the experts on here can help me with a conundrum.
I'm trying to figure out at the value of a standard bale of silage, versus purchased concentrates.
I have uploaded an attachment showing the analysis of bales I made in 2013.
My full cost to make these bales worked out at €20. Made up of fertilizer, contractor charges, plastic, and a small addition for stacking.
I reckon, I have approximately 5% to 7% waste per bale on average. That is silage dumped because cattle don't eat it fully. Weed, docks, some waste on surface of some bales (mould etc).
Including the waste factor, my unit bale cost comes to between €21 and €21.40.

All that (given the quality and actual cost of MY bales) leads me to believe, I should reduce the number of bales I make, and use concentrates to replace.
I'm thinking of making 25% less bales this year, and replacing with concentrates. That is reduce silage production by 100 bales!

Now what type of concentrate to feed to suckler cows, how much to replace my 100 bales and at what price point, to at least break even, if you know what I mean?
I'm hoping a given suitable concentrate, would actually work out cheaper, than the 100 bales I plan not to make!!

Would really appreciate some guidance on this.

Brown Podzol

You need to weigh the bale and calculate the dm contained in the bale. Then use this link to calculate the relative feeding value of the silage compared to various concentrates.

http://www.teagasc.ie/calc/FeedStuffs.asp

KCTK

Round Bale wrote: »

Hello,

I wonder if some of the experts on here can help me with a conundrum.
I'm trying to figure out at the value of a standard bale of silage, versus purchased concentrates.
I have uploaded an attachment showing the analysis of bales I made in 2013.
My full cost to make these bales worked out at €20. Made up of fertilizer, contractor charges, plastic, and a small addition for stacking.
I reckon, I have approximately 5% to 7% waste per bale on average. That is silage dumped because cattle don't eat it fully. Weed, docks, some waste on surface of some bales (mould etc).
Including the waste factor, my unit bale cost comes to between €21 and €21.40.

All that (given the quality and actual cost of MY bales) leads me to believe, I should reduce the number of bales I make, and use concentrates to replace.
I'm thinking of making 25% less bales this year, and replacing with concentrates. That is reduce silage production by 100 bales!

Now what type of concentrate to feed to suckler cows, how much to replace my 100 bales and at what price point, to at least break even, if you know what I mean?
I'm hoping a given suitable concentrate, would actually work out cheaper, than the 100 bales I plan not to make!!

Would really appreciate some guidance on this.

feeding soya hulls here this year to dry cows, 1.5kgs of soya hulls per day per head. Huge reduction in silage intake, bought at €190 per ton, will definately be repeating next year and reducing need for making so much silage. Look at that teagase calculator it will give you a very good guide as to value of feeds you can buy and make decisions then (of course none of us know how much bought feed might be next winter at this stage..)

visatorro

If your making less bales what will you do with surplus grass. Am no expert myself yet but can you extend grazing season thus use less silage.

Round Bale

visatorro wrote: »

If your making less bales what will you do with surplus grass. Am no expert myself yet but can you extend grazing season thus use less silage.

Less fertiliser.

Timmaay

Round Bale wrote: »

Less fertiliser.

Hmm seeing as income per unit Ha is widely touted at the main limiting factor on your farm I certainly wouldn't be reducing fertiliser unless it like doubles again in price. Bump up the stocking rate would be my suggestion if possible. Extending the grazing season is a winwin no matter what you do, assuming no major poaching done.

blue5000

Feeding 1kg rolled oats to dry su cows here, to stretch silage, costs 230/ton in small bags.

C0N0R

Round Bale wrote: »

Less fertiliser.

In my eyes fertiliser is the cheapest form of feed available. Do you rent any land? Can you make better quality silage?

tanko

blue5000 wrote: »

Feeding 1kg rolled oats to dry su cows here, to stretch silage, costs 230/ton in small bags.

How many cows per bale per day along with this?

blue5000

Using pit silage, so I guess 1 kg of oats replaces 0.85 kg of silage DM.

TUBBY

Good thread lads. Would have thought the main benefit of less silage would be to free up ground for more stock.

Costing bales at round E20 per bale is right by my calculations.
This would mean that they have to have good feed value or they are very expensive compared to bought in feed.

Round Bale

TUBBY wrote: »

Good thread lads. Would have thought the main benefit of less silage would be to free up ground for more stock.

Costing bales at round E20 per bale is right by my calculations.
This would mean that they have to have good feed value or they are very expensive compared to bought in feed.

Yes, that's where I'm coming from. Making 100% of your silage requirements to a very good quality standard, ain't easy. Too many variables. Weather, ground conditions, waiting for contractor, etc.
So, I'm thinking make as much silage as possible in first cut, plus what can be cut from grazing paddocks.
Drop the second cut, replace with meal of some form.
Good value concentrate, as a replacement would reduce the P&K draw off on my land, through less silage being cut.
Would also increase the nutrient value if slurry going back in!!
I feel second cut average quality silage, made by contractor, has to be expensive stuff, all things considered.

cute geoge

Silage seems dear in theory and concentrates cheap but you have a fair idea of the quality of silage when u make it yourself
Anytime u are buying in concentrates the quality is rarely as good as advertised and u wont get that great value u expect . This year concentrates work out cheaper then silage but that's not the case too often

Farrell

cute geoge wrote: »

Silage seems dear in theory and concentrates cheap but you have a fair idea of the quality of silage when u make it yourself
Anytime u are buying in concentrates the quality is rarely as good as advertised and u wont get that great value u expect . This year concentrates work out cheaper then silage but that's not the case too often

We were short silage in 2009, pen of 8 incalf cows got 2 (10kg) lick bucket full of nuts & 2 wheel barrow of silage twice per day