Rapid wilt silage project

• After three years to have farms with a total of 700 high genetic merit cows, managed efficiently, and yielding an extra gross margin of approximately £75/cow.
• Minimal effluent production associated with making clamp silage.

• There is an increasing interest among dairy farmers in cows of high genetic merit. This has developed from the widespread adoption of Holstein breeding. There is a need for more information concerning how best to manage these high producing cows under Northern Ireland conditions. There have also been indications of a number of problems associated with such herds, particularly slippage in calving pattern.
• Silage effluent pollution of water-courses is the main negative impact which the Northern Ireland agri-food industry has on the environment, and represents a major cost to the Northern Ireland economy. This has emphasised the need for further development of systems of silage making which give a fast wilt and minimise the risk of grass deterioration during wilting. The production of high dry matter silage is also an important component in formulating rations for high yielding cows where maximising intake is a priority.

• Technology allowing the production of high dry matter silage.
• Methods of improving and sustaining dry matter intakes throughout the winter feeding period.
• The most recent equipment available for improving drying rates of grass to give fast wilt systems.

• Physical and financial performance of the project herds is monitored using a computerised recording package. Agreed targets for improving performance are set with the farmers and cow intake, fertility and milk production are carefully monitored.
• New combinations of equipment to produce fast wilt silage are being assessed under commercial conditions, and under more controlled conditions at Greenmount Campus.

• Improved cow milk output.
• Reduced feed costs.
• Savings in silage effluent disposal costs.
• Longer silo life.