{"id":9859,"date":"2022-04-13T14:18:06","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T14:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www-dev.promar-international.com\/?p=9859"},"modified":"2022-04-13T14:18:06","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T14:18:06","slug":"are-you-silage-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www-dev.promar-international.com\/it\/are-you-silage-ready\/","title":{"rendered":"Are you silage ready?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is the year to be on the front foot to obtain high-quality forage whilst balancing input costs. Here’s a quick guide to help you stay in control and make the most of your silage.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan the timings of your organic manure and fertiliser applications carefully, to ensure that uptakes of nitrogen and nutrients are optimised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assess soil conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure your soil is at least 6\u00b0C to optimise nutrient uptake. Also, spread when the ground is firm enough to bear machinery, so that you do not create ruts, but not so dry that slurry stays on the grass, suffocating it and causing fermentation problems later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analyse your slurry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With costs rising so quickly, your on-farm organic manures are worth more than ever. 6% DM slurry will contain nitrogen, phosphate and potassium worth around \u00a36 per tonne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t rely on book values or old data. Have your slurry analysed annually to determine its nutrient quality. If you alter the ration for your cows, then the slurry’s content and value will change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apply with care<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The amount of nitrogen from slurry that is available to your crop is 46% lower than the total you apply. Optimise uptake by using an efficient application method, such trailing shoe, dribble bar or injection, and allow at least four weeks between spreading and cutting. If you use a spreader plate, leave at least eight weeks before cutting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fertiliser \u2013 aim to use what you have<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, fertiliser could be in short supply, so plan how much silage you can grow using your current stocks. Calculate backwards from the tonnage you could potentially produce and assess whether this will support your cow numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the bigger picture by asking yourself these questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n