Silage is more than just feed; it is the cornerstone of any effective ration and is crucial for maintaining cow welfare and productivity. The positive effects of quality silage on production and intake are well known and documented. However, what happens when silage is of poor quality?
Dr Frank Kuechenmeister, Global Forage Technical Support Manager for Lallemand Animal Nutrition, explains, “The effects of feeding silage that has heated and has visible moulding and yeast spoilage are not as widely explained or reported, but the results of feeding such silage can be enormous. In simple terms, it can have a devastating effect on your cows and the success of your farm.”
Feeding poor quality silage isn’t just about poor milk yield or slower growth rates; it’s about the heartache and stress that comes with seeing your hard work unravel. Here’s why it’s so crucial to protect the quality of your silage.
Dr Kuechenmeister points out “as a farmer, you understand the meticulous care required for growing, harvesting, and storing silage. It demands significant time, effort, and resources. However, a single misstep — such as incorrect moisture levels, inadequate bunker/silo sealing, using the wrong type of inoculant, not applying inoculant, or poor feed management — can result in poor quality silage. This can lead to heating and mould growth, with potentially disheartening consequences.”
The potential negative outcomes that can result from feeding poor quality silage can include:
- Loss of feed intake: When silage becomes hot and/or mouldy, cows don’t want to eat it. They may sort the ration, leaving behind the poor quality silage. As a result, their feed intake drops, and, with it, their production. Watching cows turn away from their feed is more than just frustrating — it can be demoralizing. That’s income slipping away, and an investment simply not paying off.
- Nutrient loss: Heating and mould strip the silage of its vital nutrients like protein, vitamins, and energy. If cows do eat a ration with poor quality silage, they’re getting less of what they need to thrive. The time and work it took to grow crops is diminished, and the cows feel it. Nutrient loss can result in lower milk yield and sluggish growth.
- Replacement feed costs: Poor quality silage needs to be replaced with more expensive feeds. This strains your budget and reduces profit margins, making it harder to sustain profitability. It’s frustrating to see hard work not paying off.
- Mycotoxins: Mould doesn’t just make silage unappetizing; it can introduce mycotoxins — substances that can affect feed intake, fertility, health, and ultimately, production. Producing quality silage is not just about milk or beef; it’s about looking after the well-being of animals.
- Time: When mould takes hold, it consumes the time, energy, and money invested in your silage. You must spend time removing visible mould from the bunker, discarding the ration that cows have refused, and finding replacement feed. It’s a frustrating and time-consuming process that takes away from managing the farm.
Best practices to protect your silage investment
It’s not too late to take control of silage quality. You can prevent mould, overheating, and spoiled silage by adopting best practices in harvesting, silage storage, and handling. Here are five tips to help protect both your cows and your profitability.
- Harvesting at the correct dry matter (DM) and chop length (CL): Cutting your forage at the right DM and CL is essential for producing top-quality silage. The correct DM content ensures optimal nutrient and energy levels. The CL length helps bunker/silo compaction and maximises feedout of the silage. Achieving this requires meticulous testing of your forage in the field and harvesting practices. The time and effort you invest in this rigorous approach will pay off in your livestock.
- Pack the bunker/silo correctly: Compacting silage correctly in the bunker or silo is vital because it squeezes out air, preventing mould, yeasts, and other undesirable microorganisms from growing and helping preserve nutrients. The effort in packing the bunkers/silo correctly will pay off, with better quality silage at opening.
- Seal it Right: Take a moment to ensure silage is stored in airtight conditions. Use high-quality covers, preferably oxygen barrier systems, and make sure bunker walls are well-maintained to keep air and moisture out. It might feel like a lot of effort at the time but, every bit of work will pay off when cows are thriving. Your dedication and hard work are the foundation of their well-being, and it’s truly worth it.
- Use a silage inoculant: Consider using an independently and thoroughly researched silage inoculant, like the MAGNIVA range, which is designed to tackle specific challenges. This will help drive the fermentation process quickly, reducing the risk of your silage heating or moulding when opened. Your dedication to using the best practices and products in making your silage will ensures your livestock gets the highest quality feed possible, which ultimately will drive your on-farm profitability.
- Heating and mould awareness: Don’t wait until it’s too late to spot mould. Regularly test silage for excessive heating, especially at critical points like the face, surface, and sides. Inspect often, particularly at the edges where air and moisture can sneak in. If you see mould, act quickly — remove it before feeding to prevent bigger issues. Your profitability depends on it.
