Milk producers concerned about winter feedstocks should do all they can to make the most of maize this year – including seeking out extra supplies.
With many arable producers drilling maize due to the difficulty of establishing winter and spring crops in recent months, additional sources of both forage and grain maize could be readily available for winter feeding, says Neil Groom of Grainseed.
“It’s been a real challenge for many producers. Any stocks of surplus forage have been largely used up by the late turn out and grassland generally has taken a real hammering from the weather and is only just starting to recover.
“The wet spring meant many producers were unable to apply the right amounts of fertiliser required when it was needed, with the overall result that both quantity and quality of grassland for grazing and ensiling has been compromised.
One factor that could be working in milk producers’ favour is the increased amount of maize now being produced as part of arable rotations, he points out.
Cost-effective
“We’ve seeing a considerable uplift in maize seed requested by arable producers, many of whom are considering growing the crop for the first time in 2024.
“Dairy farms are often limited in the area of maize that can be grown, especially if they are grazing grass too, and a partnership where maize silage is grown and muck or slurry is swapped for nutrient supply can work well for both parties.
“To be cost-effective and keep transport costs down, it’s probably best to look for producers within ten miles of the dairy unit, but for larger volumes and longer distances, lorries can be economical, too.”
In addition to forage, grain maize is a great source of energy for dairy cows and an ideal component of TMRs, he points out.
“Grain maize contains more starch and energy than other cereal grains and has a relatively high level of bypass starch which travels through the rumen undegraded and is digested further down the digestive tract.
“This reduces the speed of fermentation and minimises possible dietary upsets, such as acidosis, in a mixed cereal diet.”
Maximum potential
Jim Juby, of Horizon Seeds, says growers also need to brush up on their silage making and conservations techniques to ensure they are not losing any vital kgs of production or nutrients in the clamp.
“Top priority is to keep as much oxygen out of the clamp as possible with applying wall film the first operation to be considered.
“Make sure the clamp is as clean as possible then line the walls with side sheeting to make sure oxygen cannot enter through them, this will also protect the concrete from silage acids.
“Ideally, leave 0.5m of film at the base of the walls and an extra 1m at the top of the wall so this can be folded back over the shoulders once the clamp is full. Make the silage surface as dense and smooth as possible by lots of rolling.”
Choice of film for the top of the clamp is also important with modern silage films not only making the ensiling process quicker and more reliable but also delivering a significant return on investment, says Mr Juby.
Clamp management
“High oxygen barrier (HOB) films can help reduce wastage and ensure more of the forage energy clamped is available for milk production.
“Used properly, they can virtually eliminate top-layer shrinkage losses which means as well as being able to offer cows better quality silage, you’re actually feeding more of it.
“Scientific studies with Silostop HOB films, for example, have shown dry matter losses in the top layer of silage to be reduced by at least 50%.
“The top 1m of silage is worth at least £35/m2 of surface area, so using the film will give you an extra £17.50/ m2 worth of quality feed in the clamp and no waste to fork off the top at feedout.
“If you also use an effective additive you can reduce this further. Applying Silosolve FC at 1l/tonne, for example, will ensure your clamp stabilises faster and also reduce heating in the feed passage, reducing refusals and mycotoxin levels in the feed.”
