Rapid wilt silage
Why wilt grass before ensiling
Grass silage is the main form of conserved forage (approximately eight million tonnes produced per annum) for Northern Ireland farmers to feed to ruminant livestock. Consequently the requirement to produce a high quality feed with minimal negative impact on the environment is essential.
Grass silage is the main form of conserved forage (approximately eight million tonnes produced per annum) for Northern Ireland farmers to feed to ruminant livestock. Consequently the requirement to produce a high quality feed with minimal negative impact on the environment is essential.
Why rapid wilt
When wilting it is important that grass does not remain in the field for long periods. Losses during the wilting process are mainly due to plant respiration and teaching of nutrients by rain.
When wilting it is important that grass does not remain in the field for long periods. Losses during the wilting process are mainly due to plant respiration and teaching of nutrients by rain.
Animal Performance
The intake potential of forage is a primary indicator of the production potential of that forage, therefore the effect of wilting on increasing the intake of silage is a key consideration.
The intake potential of forage is a primary indicator of the production potential of that forage, therefore the effect of wilting on increasing the intake of silage is a key consideration.
Mechanisation to achieve Rapid wilt
Work at the ARINI, Hillsborough has examined techniques and systems that aid rapid wilting of perennial ryegrass to a target dry matter of 25 percent. The conclusions from this work are that dry weather, sunshine and spreading of the grass are the most important factors.
Work at the ARINI, Hillsborough has examined techniques and systems that aid rapid wilting of perennial ryegrass to a target dry matter of 25 percent. The conclusions from this work are that dry weather, sunshine and spreading of the grass are the most important factors.
Practical implications
At Greenmount Campus many of the practical problems associated with harvesting, ensiling and utilising high dry matter silage have been assessed during the last few years.
At Greenmount Campus many of the practical problems associated with harvesting, ensiling and utilising high dry matter silage have been assessed during the last few years.
Conclusion
The harvesting, ensiling and utilisation of willed silage poses many challenges to the farmer. Not only must weather conditions prevail but with a possible additional 10 percent in harvesting costs and an ensiled product which requires careful management at ensiling and feed-out, great attention to detail is thus required.
The harvesting, ensiling and utilisation of willed silage poses many challenges to the farmer. Not only must weather conditions prevail but with a possible additional 10 percent in harvesting costs and an ensiled product which requires careful management at ensiling and feed-out, great attention to detail is thus required.