NICKERSON AT GRASSLAND 2005: Make winter feeding plans now

Plan next winter’s dairy cow rations now to optimise the effect of using different forage crops in the diet, urged Nickerson forage marketing manager Simon Broddle, speaking at Grassland 2005 on 18th May.

“Don’t leave it until after third cut or the maize harvest to work out how you are going to feed it,” he said. “Think about the type of forage maize or wholecrop you are likely to produce, and try and make grass silage that will work with them to maximise both intake and winter milk production.   

“For example wholecrop is high in fibre and goes well with silage made from a grass mixture such as Nickerson Red Circle. This is because the blend of late-heading perennial ryegrasses produces a high energy, high quality forage. On the other hand, maize produces a very high energy feed and is better balanced by our Gold Circle mixture, as this makes particularly high protein silage.”

At Grassland 2005, Mr Broddle also encouraged farmers to pay attention to detail during the silage making process. For example, he said that as more water is lost in the first hour after cutting than at any other time, the tedder should follow right behind the mower to ensure maximum moisture loss during this critical period.

He also advises careful rowing-up to prevent any soil contamination which could seriously affect the subsequent fermentation process.

“Many farmers put students on rowing up and buck-rake duty on the clamp – but actually these two jobs are the most important of all. The way they are done can make a real difference to the quality of the end product.

“It only takes a few days work to make a winter’s worth of silage,” Mr Broddle concluded. “Get those few days right and winter feeding will go well. Get them wrong and farmers will have a 200-day headache.”

Ends

For further information contact: Frank Curtis or Simon Broddle on 01472 371471 or fcurtis@nickerson.co.uk or sbroddle@nickerson.co.uk