Precut testing the key to better forage quality
In a few week’s time, dairy farmers must make a decision that will have a huge bearing on their profitability this year – when to take first cut. Biotal Technical Support Manager Roy Eastlake says pre-cut testing is the key indicator of when to make grass silage.
“You can’t tell if grass is at the optimum growth stage for cutting just be looking at it, although if it is showing signs of ear emergence you can be certain quality is already declining,” he said. “To time cutting better and increase the prospects of making high quality forage you need data on how the crop is maturing. Pre-cut testing, previously seen as just a way to assess fermentation characteristics, is the simple and effective way to do this.”
Weekly sampling of fields from at least two weeks prior to the anticipated cutting date gives a wealth of information on both how well the crop may ferment but also the potential feed value. Mr Eastlake says there are four key parameters.
“NDF is the guide to how well a plant is maturing and increases rapidly as the plant matures so cutting before it gets too high is crucial. The target is 38-40 per cent in the dry matter and NDF levels above this indicate feed value has declined.
“Look to cut fresh grass at 20 per cent DM. It will lose moisture at approximately one per cent per hour in sunny, breezy conditions, meaning it will be at the optimum 30 per centDM for ensiling after a 10-12 hour wilt.
“For an effective fermentation you are looking for three per cent sugar in the freshweight (10 per cent in the DM) and free nitrates less than 1000mg/kg freshweight.”
Achieve these targets and use a crop and condition specific inoculant you will increase the prospects of well-fermented higher quality forage.
