Silage results

cacs

I just got silage results today DMD 72 not too bad but the protein was 8.3% which was low . What can do next year to improve the quality of the feed.

White Clover

cathal irwin wrote: »

I just got silage results today DMD 72 not too bad but the protein was 8.3% which was low . What can do next year to improve the quality of the feed.

Need good quality grass that is properly fertilised on ground with a good ph. Spread a small bit of sulphur. This will increase the protein %. Cut before the grass heads out. Cut in the afternoon on a sunny day when the sugars are highest. Ted out the grass immediately after mowing, rake and bale or pit the following afternoon. Good weather helps too!

yosemitesam1

cathal irwin wrote: »

I just got silage results today DMD 72 not too bad but the protein was 8.3% which was low . What can do next year to improve the quality of the feed.

It might be worth your while retesting it, nirs feed testing isn't always 100%

cacs

yosemitesam1 wrote: »

It might be worth your while retesting it, nirs feed testing isn't always 100%

Thanks for that

cacs

White Clover wrote: »

Need good quality grass that is properly fertilised on ground with a good ph. Spread a small bit of sulphur. This will increase the protein %. Cut before the grass heads out. Cut in the afternoon on a sunny day when the sugars are highest. Ted out the grass immediately after mowing, rake and bale or pit the following afternoon. Good weather helps too!

That's good advice thanks

sucklerlover

cathal irwin wrote: »

I just got silage results today DMD 72 not too bad but the protein was 8.3% which was low . What can do next year to improve the quality of the feed.

First year I tested mine. 74 dmd and 13.2protein if memory served me right.
Cut after lunch on a sunny day. Tedded and raked in 2-3 hours before baler the following day.the guy from lab told me that silage drops in protein if it's down a long time. It's the best silage I made. The weather is a lot to do with making quality stuff. It rained a few hours before my second cut and u can really see the difference. There'd b a smell off ur hands if u caught a fist of it where as the first cut your hands would b bone dry and a beautiful smell.
Can be hard to get everything right with contractors. Best of luck next year.

FarmerDougal

3rd cut in bales
Dm 36
Pr 17.3
Dmd 81
Ph 4.3
Am 8.6

2 bales per acre!!

White Clover

FarmerDougal wrote: »

3rd cut in bales
Dm 36
Pr 17.3
Dmd 81
Ph 4.3
Am 8.6

2 bales per acre!!

Nice