Silage thread

Muckit

RobinBanks wrote: »

They were fine! I was surprised that they didn't sag especially the oats mix. They were lying out for 24hrs before I got them in. They were baled with a machale F550. Must be a pretty good baler

I'd say myself the straw helped to bind them. Might have been a different story if all grass

freedominacup

It's overcast here today and predicted to be like this for the week. Does it make much sense to knock silage in those conditions or should I wait. Quality not an issue yet as it's still leafy with no sign of any heading out. Stopped 6 weeks on Tues coming. Am I mad to be thinking about waiting considering how the year is moving on or is cutting in less than ideal conditions when quality is still fine the wrong call?

delaval

freedominacup wrote: »

It's overcast here today and predicted to be like this for the week. Does it make much sense to knock silage in those conditions or should I wait. Quality not an issue yet as it's still leafy with no sign of any heading out. Stopped 6 weeks on Tues coming. Am I mad to be thinking about waiting considering how the year is moving on or is cutting in less than ideal conditions when quality is still fine the wrong call?

Same question here. I'm cutting as I want to make the most of the growth

freedominacup

delaval wrote: »

Same question here. I'm cutting as I want to make the most of the growth

I know you're cutting but that's for surplus from what I can make out from your posts. If it was an important part of your forage for next winter what would your plan be?

bob charles

If its already 6 weeks growing quality will be starting to drop off even if you cant see it with your eyes. Mow next decent day and have the tedder going full belt to get the DM up if the weather is okay. I never like having silage on the ground for over 24 hrs

if your short on feeding what I said above may go out the window

freedominacup

bob charles wrote: »

If its already 6 weeks growing quality will be starting to drop off even if you cant see it with your eyes. Mow next decent day and have the tedder going full belt to get the DM up if the weather is okay. I never like having silage on the ground for over 24 hrs

if your short on feeding what I said above may go out the window

Once this is in we'll be fine but want it a good as possible. You're probably right about the quality dropping my concern was about sugars and having enough for good preservation in overcast weather.

Timmaay

In a similar boat here, got 10acres of good quality stuff, about 1800kg/ha, I'd rather cut now as we could do with the regrowth and bump afc up abit more, but my dad says hold out for more bulk.

But I ain't moaning about having this dilemma ha, considering the wet low dmd sh&te we were lucky even to get baled last sept!

delaval

freedominacup wrote: »

I know you're cutting but that's for surplus from what I can make out from your posts. If it was an important part of your forage for next winter what would your plan be?

Cut and ted pick up within 24 hrs

PatQfarmer

delaval wrote: »

Cut and ted pick up within 24 hrs

Likewise.
Paddocks stopped since 14-20th July. Got 50units N.
Approx. 4-4,500kgDmHa there now.
Still leafy, but parts starting to turn at the butt!
Weekend to next week looks better, but aiming for quality so don't want to wait that long...decisions...:rolleyes:

Muckit

I seen a video on youtube of a lad covering a silage pit over in England. It was a big enough pit so had multiple sheets. Where sheets overlapped he taped the joints with silage tape. I've never done this or heard it being done. Is it a good idea or just overkill and unnecessary?

I always thought silage tape was just for patching bales!!

just do it

Knocked second cut this morning and will be baling it after lunch. Sprayed 7 days ago so it's dry already, obviously wilting on the stem.

delaval

Young lad off to school tomorrow so is out mowing like a divil. Baler coming on Wed.

Ground sprayed last Thurs being mowed this pm and baled Wed also. Will direct drill on Thurs

Will mow thirdcut on Thurs bale Sat when he's available to bring in. Can't beat a neighbour with willing young lads

just do it

That all should work out delaval. Did you get much rain in the last few days? We got plenty on Friday and Saturday which meant the grass needed yesterday just to dry off. Rain in the forecast tonight for the west coast so need it baled tonight. Tonight's rain probably won't reach you though.

Mulumpy

Have six acres of excess grass to knock gonna have to wait til weds though cos away at job today and tomorrow. Hopefully weather holds up.

bob charles

Finally for the first time this year growth is matching demand. too little too late but sure hows ever

Muckit

I have to agree with you. It's only in the last week or so that grass has really started to grow around here!

Right heavy sleepy weather, but the grass decides to wake up!!

reilig

90 good quality second cut bales baled, drawn and wrapped by 1am last night - just before the rain. It was dry, but wasn't wilted too well as we only cut it on saturday and rowed it from the swarts yesterday morning. All in all it brings us up to our fodder budget requirement. We still have 10 acres to cut in 2 weeks time so we're into bonus territory with that!

Second cut meadows were deceivingly heavy! We tried to pull 2 rows together for the baler as we had done for the first cut, but it wasn't able to handle them.

freedominacup

We were planning on cutting second cut after arable. The contractor raised a question about nitrates so I got a test done today. The f'n test strip nearly burst into flames. No cutting this week for certain will have to check again in a week.

Sam Kade

Muckit wrote: »

I seen a video on youtube of a lad covering a silage pit over in England. It was a big enough pit so had multiple sheets. Where sheets overlapped he taped the joints with silage tape. I've never done this or heard it being done. Is it a good idea or just overkill and unnecessary?

I always thought silage tape was just for patching bales!!

Silage tape was around before bale silage. No need for taping the joints on the pit if you have a good overlap. With the quality of silage tape over the last few years it is only suitable for small holes, any big holes on bales I will rewrap them.

red bull

cut twenty acres of second cut this evening, looks good

RobinBanks

Sami23 wrote: »

Would it be too late to put out fertilizer this coming Saturday for 2nd cut silage or is too late at this stage ???
Would 3 bags of 24-2.5-10 do the job as could do with few more bales ???

1 month on from the above question I am now asking it! Is it now to late for putting fertilizer out. I have a few bags of CAN and 10-10-20 left over. I cut second cut last week and I was wondering should I put these few bags out on it or is it to late now? I am not stuck for grass and I wont be cutting it again this year but I might need it for grazing yet depending on the weather.

mahoney_j

RobinBanks wrote: »

1 month on from the above question I am now asking it! Is it now to late for putting fertilizer out. I have a few bags of CAN and 10-10-20 left over. I cut second cut last week and I was wondering should I put these few bags out on it or is it to late now? I am not stuck for grass and I wont be cutting it again this year but I might need it for grazing yet depending on the weather.

Get it all out ,still serious growth ,extension for spreading bag manure till end of sept this year.it may buy you another week of two at grass tis back end.

Timmaay

While we are talking about fertilizer, any got a price on compounds? Few of the silage fields low on the indexes, the local co-op is 450 for 0-7-30, which my dad said is too expensive still!

delaval

Timmaay wrote: »

While we are talking about fertilizer, any got a price on compounds? Few of the silage fields low on the indexes, the local co-op is 450 for 0-7-30, which my dad said is too expensive still!

2x 18-6-12 and you get 36 units N

PatQfarmer

Cut 9 acres last night. Measured about 4,000kgDM/Ha. Top-quality, stopped since 14-20th July.
Raking and baling today.

bob charles

Timmaay wrote: »

While we are talking about fertilizer, any got a price on compounds? Few of the silage fields low on the indexes, the local co-op is 450 for 0-7-30, which my dad said is too expensive still!

From a financial point of view hold your powder dry, Prices will be back allot later in the year. If your low on K you can spread this during Nov/dec/jan depending on demand for next season. look around for free organic P and K for now. Obviously if the deficiency is large you have no better to do only spread grossly over priced fert.

Muckit

reilig wrote: »

Second cut meadows were deceivingly heavy. We tried to pull 2 rows together for the baler as we had done for the first cut, but it wasn't able to handle them.

Was it the pz 360 that was struggling to bring the two rows together??

Muckit

RobinBanks wrote: »

1 month on from the above question I am now asking it! Is it now to late for putting fertilizer out. I have a few bags of CAN and 10-10-20 left over. I cut second cut last week and I was wondering should I put these few bags out on it or is it to late now? I am not stuck for grass and I wont be cutting it again this year but I might need it for grazing yet depending on the weather.

If you don't need the grass, I'd still go with at least a bag of 10-10-20/acre. 10units of N is nothing, but it'I put back vital PK into soil to help with tillering of sward in aftergrass. DId this a week ago and made a big difference. Keep the rest then til spring Just what I would do.

Timmaay

If ya keep over the fertiliser till the spring make sure its kept dry and well away from any moisture at all. We left a bag of can in the shed last winter, it should have been fine where it was, anyways I was putting it into the spreader the following spring and it was one solid lump, i stupidly ended up cutting too much of the arse of the bag open, and in one lump it all came out and smashed the hopper in bits expensive lesson learned the hard way!

reilig

Muckit wrote: »

Was it the pz 360 that was struggling to bring the two rows together??

No problem to the pz.

The baler was struggling to pick up 2 rows.