Tama Assist Top 5 Tips to Improve Silage Nutrient Value for Livestock Feed
The aim of making quality silage is simple: to preserve and produce palatable forage with as much nutritional value as possible.
Silage quality is vital to yield livestock feed high in energy, protein, and fibre. Making quality silage contributes to increased milk yields and faster growth rates in beef cattle.
This starts with how you manage your crop in the field and ends with how you store it after baling. Making quality silage and preserving it properly is the key to improved nutrition and less fodder waste.
Here are five ways to improve silage nutrient value with a focus on the importance of silage analysis.
The timing of your first cut impacts silage quality. Plan to cut grass just before it starts to head as energy and protein levels drop quickly after heading. Cutting earlier supports better fermentation and a more nutritious feed.
For maize and cereal crops, harvest when the grain is at the milky to dough stage.
Wilting should be done within 24 hours to help retain the sugars essential for proper fermentation. Machinery settings also matter; don’t cut too low to avoid dry stems and reduce soil contamination.
Aim for a dry matter content of around 28 – 32% depending on crop type.
Chop length affects how well the forage compacts and how effectively it ferments. The drier the crop, the shorter it needs to be. Shorter chop lengths ferment faster and compact tighter in the silage bale.
However, chopping wet silage crops too short will increase the effluent losses. Match your chop length to the crop type and dry matter content to support proper fermentation and maintain feed value throughout storage.
Silage additives can boost fermentation by lowering the pH and reducing nutrient losses. Additives containing Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) have been shown to increase energy, protein and overall digestibility. Lactobacillus bacteria digest sugars to produce lactic acid that preserves forage in the absence of oxygen.
LP can also prevent the growth of Clostridia bacteria, which break down proteins.
After baling, silage wrap is your final defence. Tama stretchfilm used for silage wrap is essential for creating the anaerobic conditions for optimal fermentation and nutrient preservation. It seals silage bales tightly, keeping oxygen out and locking feed value in. Designed for tough conditions with excellent UV protection and adhesive strength, Tama stretchfilm, like Cycled Wrap is a reliable choice for farmers who want consistent, high-quality silage bales.
Contrary to what some producers would have you believe, independent studies have shown there is no discernable difference in the quality of baled silage between, netwrap, net replacement film (NRF) or EZ Web. All 3 options supply the same quality of silage.
Silage analysis helps you determine the nutritional composition of your silage bales. Knowing the energy, protein, pH and dry matter levels helps formulate a balanced diet. Regular silage analysis also highlights what’s working and where improvements can be made.
Want advice on the best products to protect your forage? Get in touch with the Tama team today and let us help you improve the nutrient value of your baled silage.