Pasture and winter forage growth have been exceptional across many regions, creating an ideal opportunity to adjust pasture rotations now and target early-cut silage when feed quality is at its peak.
While many farms conserved significant amounts of forage last season, much of it was harvested later when yield was prioritised over quality.
As a result, a large proportion of carryover feed may be lower in energy and digestibility.
This season, the emphasis should be on preserving forage quality rather than simply chasing tonnes.
High-quality silage plays a critical role in maintaining consistent milk production, supporting cow health and reducing the impact of seasonal feed shortages.
Farms carrying lower-quality silage can strategically utilise these reserves for dry or late lactation cows, freeing up more pasture and allowing greater areas to be allocated to quality silage production.
For farmers looking to secure additional feed, purchasing standing pasture can be an excellent option.
Planning early allows the first cut to be harvested at optimum quality, while second cuts can then be targeted for bulk forage production.
Strategic fertiliser or urea applications following harvest can help maximise regrowth and improve overall forage yield and quality.
Pit silage presents another common challenge. In many cases, farmers delay harvest to accumulate enough volume to efficiently fill pits, often compromising feed quality as pasture maturity increases.
Estimating supplementary feed requirements, expected yields and pit volumes well in advance can help avoid this situation. Management and execution of pasture rotations through winter is key to setting up spring and creating the opportunity to harvest genuine quality surplus pasture for grass silage.
Where additional pasture /forage is expected later in the season, reopening pits and adding subsequent cuts can also be an effective strategy.
Using a quality silage inoculant, such as Pioneer 11G22 Rapid React, helps achieve a rapid pH decline and improves silage aerobic stability, reducing risks associated with reopening silage stacks whilst also helping to preserve valuable nutrients.
Quality inoculants also play an important role when harvest conditions are less than ideal.
By more efficiently utilising limited plant sugars and stabilising silage quickly, inoculants can help lock in energy and nutrients that otherwise may be lost during the ensiling process.
New this season, Pioneer 11GFT has been developed specifically for grass silage and combines the benefits of a traditional inoculant with improved fibre digestibility.
The unique bacteria in 11GFT produce enzymes that help break down plant cell walls, making fibre more accessible to rumen microbes and allowing cows to extract more energy from conserved forage.
With feed quality likely to have a greater influence on profitability in a potentially shorter season, planning ahead and prioritising silage quality will be essential.
The farms that preserve the most nutrients this spring will be best placed to maintain milk production, manage feed reserves effectively and navigate any seasonal challenges that arise.
For more information on Pioneer silage inoculants, including the new 11GFT, or advice on producing high-quality silage this season, contact us, your local Pioneer dairy specialists.
By Greg Morris and Leighton Hart, Pioneer dairy specialists
