Weather conditions such as these can disrupt the natural availability of key trace elements, with serious implications for lamb growth and immunity before and after weaning.

Sarah Gallimore, technical associate at livestock health and husbandry specialist Nettex, said:

“Cobalt and selenium play vital roles in post-weaning lamb health. Low levels can impact immune function and growth at a time when lambs are already under stress from weaning and potentially facing parasite challenges. 

“Identifying the issue and finding a suitable drench or bolus can help prevent disease and improve post weaning weight.”

Deficiencies on farm

Research from Teagasc reinforces this concern:

• 73% of surveyed sheep farms had cobalt-deficient herbage
• Only 11% had herbage with sufficient levels of selenium.

The same research showed cobalt supplementation significantly boosted lamb performance post-weaning, resulting in higher carcass weights.

Selenium is key to supporting immunity and preventing white muscle disease, while cobalt is vital for vitamin B12 synthesis in the rumen, which is a crucial factor in energy metabolism and liveweight gain. 

As cobalt cannot be stored in the body, a steady supply throughout the grazing season is essential.

What are the signs?

Sarah said: “Deficiencies often go unnoticed until lamb performance starts to decline. Weaning is a vulnerable period, and any nutritional shortfall can cause a growth check or increased susceptibility to disease.”

Typical signs of cobalt deficiency include poor growth, dull fleece, loss of appetite, runny eyes, and increased worm burdens due to reduced immunity.

Top tips

Sarah recommends forage analysis as a first step. “Testing forage gives farmers clarity on what’s lacking and allows them to supplement effectively – whether via drenches, boluses, free access or in-feed options. 

“It’s about ensuring lambs continue to thrive, not just survive, after weaning.

“When choosing a supplementation product, it’s also important to consider how long those animals are on the farm for and what is in the products.”

She suggests lambs that are leaving the farm, but need supplementation, can benefit from a Nettex’s Cobalt, Selenium and B12 drench. 

Alternatively, a micro-bolus such as Cob-I-sel 60 can be used to deliver iodine, selenium and multi-vitamins over 60 days.  

“With rapidly changing grass quality and increasing demands on youngstock, it’s important farmers understand the trace element situation on their farm and act now to safeguard lamb health and performance,” she said.

Read more sheep news.

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Long established across the island of Ireland, NRF, also known as the film-and-film system, is gaining more traction, as silage producers seek ways to enhance forage quality, reduce waste, and prepare for tightening environmental regulations, Silotite said.

Lloyd Dawson, sales director at Silotite, said that improving silage quality, bale integrity, and feed value are key priorities for livestock farmers looking to maximise return on home-grown forage.

He added: “Traditional net wrap systems have their limitations. They offer little to no protective benefits and do not contribute to the ensiling process.

“However, the film-and-film method creates a higher holding force, producing tighter, more uniform binding.

“The extra layers of film, instead of net wrap, act as an oxygen barrier to preserve forage quality.”

Faster and safer process

Bale expansion, caused by poor binding, allows air to enter the bale, encouraging mould and causing valuable energy losses in the silage, Mr Dawon explained.

“For example, Silotite’s film-and-film solution, Baletite, uses layers of baler film instead of net, delivering improved silage protection and bale density.”

The expert said it also supports easier handling and feed-out. “Bales wrapped with Baletite can be opened cleanly from the tractor cab using a bale slicer, making the process faster and safer.

“Unlike net, which can tangle within the forage, Baletite peels away cleanly – making feeding more efficient and reducing contamination risk,” Mr Dawson explained.

Ease of recycling

Baletite is manufactured using the same polyethylene (PE) material as bale wrap, meaning it can be recycled together, streamlining the waste process.

“This is a big win for farmers,” Mr Dawson added. “Net wrap typically needs to be separated and disposed of differently, whereas Baletite can be bundled with wrap for collection, saving time and improving plastic recycling rates on-farm.”

One barrier to adoption remains contractor hesitation, with many farmers relying on external services for baling.

The expert said that contractors do not always see the full benefits – which are often realised post-baling.

“But for the farmer, the difference is clear: better quality feed, less spoilage, and more efficient day-to-day handling,” he added.

With agriculture under increasing scrutiny to reduce its environmental footprint, tools like Baletite offer a practical step towards more sustainable forage systems.

“Baletite is a simple change that delivers big benefits. It’s an investment in quality, efficiency, and sustainability – and it’s helping to future-proof livestock systems,” Mr Dawson concluded.

Read more livestock news.

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Fodder beet is a long-standing and valuable fodder crop on many sheep and cattle farms, noted for its high energy and high feed value, says Limagrain forage crop manager John Spence. 

“Results all show that dry matter and energy yields are consistent, regardless of growing conditions. Even in the more climatically challenging conditions of the past few years with long dry periods and, at times, very wet conditions, yields and feed value have not wavered much.”

Fodder beet will yield more than 80 tonnes per hectare of fresh weight, with some varieties well above this and around the 100t of fresh weight level per hectare.

The average metabolisable energy content for fodder beet varieties trialled annually by Limagrain is consistently 12.5–13 MJ/kg DM. “This fodder crop has the highest dry matter and energy yielding crop per hectare available among commonly grown forages in the UK,” adds John.

Varieties such as Robbos and Blaze will yield more than 18t/ha of dry matter consistently, but, being medium-rooted, they can be grazed in situ through autumn and winter, depending on conditions. And if lifted, they’ll have less risk of soil contamination and require less cleaning compared with deeper-rooted varieties.

Depending on the feeding system and the climate, farmers can also consider bolting risks, and choose a variety least likely to bolt, or disease resistance.

“And there are varieties that are rhizomania tolerant and are selected to be less susceptible to mildew, rust and leafspot,” he adds.

Flexi forage

Fodder beet can be stored in the ground over winter and lifted as required, lifted and stored in open clamps, or fed in situ if conditions are suitable.

Fodder beet also slots into grass or arable rotations as a break crop. It’s sown in April, possibly after a first cut or early spring grazing, or a cereal crop, into a well-prepared seed bed.

“It’s a demanding crop in terms of nutrients,” John adds. “Land destined for fodder beet will benefit from farm year manure and slurry, and nitrogen can be applied after drilling where necessary.”

It’s also important to keep on top of pests and weeds. “We supply seed treated with a fungicide and pesticide with the option of seed priming to aid germination and get plants off to a good start. But herbicide treatments and fungicides will be required depending on conditions.”

While fodder beet requires quite a few inputs, with growing costs estimated to be at least £16/t fresh weight, the yields and feed value make this crop cost-effective.

“And there are added benefits of including fodder beet in the rotation, and of being able to reduce the reliance on bought-in feeds. Once farmers introduce this forage, they rarely move away from it. Its flexibility, feed value and consistency make it an attractive option.”

Consistent yields

Fodder beet is a staple crop at Marsh Farm, near Alford, east Lincolnshire where it is used in a TMR for dairy cows and also fed with cereals to the beef cattle. Darren Brown grows 12ha (30 acres) of the crop every year which produces about 100t/ha (40t/acre) of fresh weight a year.

As well as being a valuable feed, Darren finds fodder beet an ideal break crop for winter and spring cereals, and it slots into the rotation with the grassland. “We’re on clay loam so it’s marginal for fodder beet really, but the crop does consistently well
every year.”

Fodder beet follows a cereal crop – typically winter wheat. Pre-sowing, the land is ploughed in autumn, then flat lifted across the plough to loosen the soil and allow for easy root development.

Harvesting starts in late October until the end of February and precedes spring barley. He uses one of two local contractors. “The good thing is that we can lift beet as we need it and when conditions are OK. It stores well in mother nature’s larder – in the ground, and in a pile once it’s lifted. It’s very flexible.”

Whatever the growing conditions, the experience in growing and feeding fodder beet at Marsh Farm is good. “Despite different challenges, there’s little fluctuation in yield and feed quality. We’ve had dry summers and wet autumns, but yields and quality don’t seem to vary,” adds Darren. “We could do with more crops like this.”

He attributes some of his success with fodder beet to variety choice; he’s opted for Limagrain’s Robbos since 2019.  “We ‘dabbled’ with other varieties but come back to Robbos as it’s consistent and reliable. It’s got a clean root and it’s not deep into the ground which makes harvesting, cleaning and feeding easier.”

Read more arable news.

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BTV-3 was the biggest headline news when it comes to animal health over the past year, but extremely wet weather also had significant implications for silage quality and the timings of parasites.

We spoke to experts to find out how to mitigate the animal health impacts of increasingly unpredictable weather.

A bad year for silage

In a year when it was wet when it should have been dry, and lacking sunshine in the summer, it’s fair to say that silage quality has suffered. Some farmers have even said it’s the worst year they’ve ever known, said Alison Bond, Rumenco technical services manager.

“Generally from a nutritional point of view, what we’re seeing is forages that were either taken too early so they’re mixed, poor quality, or taken too late because the rain came, resulting in higher fibre levels,” she commented. “We’re seeing wetter forages, whether it’s silage in the clamp or even some of the big bales going out for sheep. That wetter forage is going to interfere with dry matter intake.”

Second cuts appear to be a little better as they were left for longer, but the first cuts were very variable, meaning forage analysis has been particularly important this year.

“Spending £30 on a mineral forage analysis could save you quite a bit in the long run if it means that you feed something that’s going to be bespoke for your farm or closer to what you need,” Alison added.

Lower protein and sugar this year could impact rumen health with consequences for milk yields and colostrum quality in the approach to lambing. Additionally, grass that’s been waterlogged can leach minerals, vitamins and trace elements, resulting in health issues – selenium, cobalt and iodine are particularly important for animal health and immunity.

When it comes to supplementation, the most important thing to consider is what you’re looking to achieve, Alison said. Flexibility is also key as the weather becomes increasingly unpredictable – gone are the days when silage can be cut on the same day every year, or when the same amount of forage can be fed year on year.

“It’s about having that flex and using all the tools in the kit, whether that be your nutritionist or your supplier, to make sure you’ve got the full picture,” she concluded. It’s also worth speaking to an agronomist for advice to help optimise cutting time.

Shifting timings

Increasingly unpredictable weather is disrupting typical patterns when it comes to parasites – worms have a habit of making up for lost time when conditions allow and we’ve seen worm problems right through the mild autumn. It’s more important than ever for sheep farmers to be on their guard and keep monitoring, said independent sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings, speaking on behalf of SCOPS.

“You look at the old graphs that show the pattern of worm activity over a year and the changing weather patterns are just to a large extent, tearing that up,” she commented. “[…] We get worm activity all winter when it’s mild and then in the summer we can go through periods when there’s very little activity if we get a dry, hot spell.

“Farmers have got to be really aware of the weather conditions on their farm and the age of animals, and be doing their monitoring now because we can no longer make assumptions.”

At the end of October, SCOPS warned farmers that the wet summer and autumn could bring higher levels of liver fluke, following several years of relatively low levels due to dry springs and hot, dry summers. This warning has now come to fruition, with localised reports of disease starting to come in by late November. “It’s not a mega year, but it’s a lot higher than we’ve seen for several years,” Lesley added.

Sheep farmers are advised to test and look into sudden deaths – get a post-mortem done and pay attention to abattoir feedback. On the other hand, Lesley warned against reaching for the drench gun and having a false sense of security – testing is vital to ensure treatments are done at the right time, and that they’re working.

Additionally, a new lateral flow test for liver fluke recently launched. Much like a covid test – except it requires drops of blood from an ear or nose prick – it offers results in 30 minutes and is available from your vet. Ten tests are needed in a mob to get a statistically significant sample.

With many farms still unsure about their resistance status, it’s also important to make use of the funding for a Worm Treatment Check under the government’s Animal Health & Welfare Pathway scheme. A similar scheme is available under the Scottish farming incentive. Farmers can also use the SCOPS principles to slow resistance on their individual farms.

Cattle testing

While timings are being thrown out by unpredictable weather, Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) said there were no spikes in infection in roundworms, lungworms and liver fluke among grazing cattle. COWS said 2024 has been a relatively ‘normal’ year in terms of parasite challenge for grazing cattle.

“The ones to watch out for are roundworms during the summer, lungworm in the summer and autumn and liver fluke from late summer onwards. Despite being a very wet year, there have been no spikes in infection in any of these species.”

Anecdotal evidence, however, suggests there were increased numbers of flies affecting cattle in the summer.

COWS agreed that the longer, wetter grazing season puts a greater emphasis on diagnostics and monitoring. For example – doing faecal egg counts for roundworms to check a need for treatment, keeping an ear out for any coughing in the herd, which could be lungworm and getting the vet involved as early as possible, and testing for liver fluke – a few weeks after housing.

Testing is becoming more critical in any risk assessment for any internal or external parasite made before treating, COWS noted. “Routine lungworm vaccination of first season grazing calves should be considered for calves born into herds with an identified lungworm risk or where there is a previous history of lungworm on the farm.”

Farmers were advised to order their lungworm vaccines in the new year to receive the first dose in time for administration pre-turnout.

BTV concern for spring

At the time of writing there had been over 160 cases of bluetongue serotype 3. Modelling suggests movement restrictions have considerably slowed progression and protected many livestock dense areas – but farmers in affected zones have reported significant financial issues.

Ami Sawran, clinical director at Westpoint Farm Vets, Chelmsford, said: “As the weather cools to remain consistently below 5 degrees, we can expect to see midge populations die off, but modelling suggests a possibility that we will see a resurgence in the spring; calves and lambs born to infected dams could remain reservoirs of infection, and as temperatures creep up, midges could start to spread the disease once again.

“Of course, BTV doesn’t have a playbook – it could be that we do not encounter the severe issues noted on the continent, but preparedness and vigilance is still paramount.”

Vaccines have been permitted for use, with some claims of reducing clinical signs and mortality. “Timing of these vaccines to suit your farming system and intended purpose of livestock is important and should be discussed with your vet,” Ami advised.

Ami also emphasised the importance of reporting BTV – a notifiable disease – as it shares similar clinical signs with arguably more serious diseases like foot and mouth.

Top tips for preventing calf pneumonia

A recent Galebreaker webinar saw experts discuss ways to prevent calf pneumonia and protect future productivity.

Kat Hart, a youngstock specialist from George Vet Group, and Chloe Rodriguez from Galebreaker’s animal welfare team, shared their essential tips to minimise disease risk in calves.

Environmental factors such as moisture, hygiene, air quality, and ventilation play a fundamental role in managing calf pneumonia. Kat explores their effect on calves’ temperature.

“In the way wet clothes feel cold to us, the same is true for calves – damp conditions increase calves’ lower critical temperature (LCT) by 6ºC,” says Kat. “A typical Holstein calf has a LCT of 15ºC. Any lower temperature means the calf is using its own energy to keep warm instead of growing and running its immune system.”

Similarly, calves exposed to draughts are increasingly vulnerable, with damp humid conditions also providing an ideal pathogen breeding ground.

Kat recommends exploring three strategies to maintain body temperature: calf jackets, shed heaters or heat lamps, and introducing more feed concentrate, whether at higher volumes or at a consistently higher quality.

Keeping on top of shed cleanliness also supports calf health. After removing all organic matter and disinfecting, thoroughly steam clean or pressure wash sheds as a minimum.

Kat adds: “There’s one option for reducing pathogens, which is often overlooked, and probably the simplest and cheapest solution. That’s time and UV light. Having a two-week rest period in sheds gives them time to fully dry out, killing a high proportion of pathogens.”

When it comes to reducing respiratory disease, Chloe suggests a thorough assessment of buildings including drainage, air quality and ventilation.

“Good natural ventilation in sheds will displace heat, moisture, noxious gases and airborne pathogens,” she says. “It’s vital to ensure regular air exchanges and a continuous flow to remove ‘contaminated’ air.”

In cold weather calves need between 4–6 air changes per hour. However, as their bodies do not produce enough heat to circulate the air properly, they often benefit from assistance such as positive pressure tube ventilation (PPTV).

“PPTV is a self-contained system consisting of a fan and tube that supplements natural ventilation,” Chloe adds.

Galebreaker supplies bespoke systems that are based on the building’s volume and pen layout requirements. The fan delivers fresh air along the length of tube without creating draughts. Research suggests customers with PPTV systems typically report a 25–75% reduction in calf pneumonia treatments.

“To minimise the risk of pneumonia, try thinking holistically about calf rearing. From nutrition, to housing, stocking density, vaccination or better management of their environment, there are always ways to improve,” Chloe concludes. “Often lots of small changes make for big wins.”

The next Galebreaker animal health webinar is scheduled for April with a focus on the prevention of heat stress in dairy herds.

Read more livestock news

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Farming Connect announced its support for farmers who are preparing a winter-feeding strategy and budgeting for the winter months to ensure maximum profitability over the period. 

Following the Extreme Weather Summits held earlier this year in April 2024, and discussions with industry over the summer months, the cabinet secretary for rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “Our future generations will be farming in much more challenging conditions.  

“We must act today to adapt and mitigate for this – taking steps to build resilience to the potential impacts of climate change. Having seen and heard of the extremely difficult circumstances faced by the sector last winter, we must work proactively and have a clear plan in place. 

“Farmers know their land and their farms, and it’s important they know about the help that’s out there to prepare and support them through the winter.” 

Becoming more resilient to weather shocks 

GrassCheck GB has identified that grass growth has fallen below the five-year seasonal average and is considerably lower than this time last year, due to lower air temperatures and lack of sunshine as well as decreasing daylength at this time of year. 

Experts have shared a list of things that farmers should consider: 

• prepare a feed budget early for the winter months to ensure maximum profitability over the period.  

• consider the nutritional requirements of your herd/ flock, making sure livestock have enough feed for maintenance and production.  

• calculate the nutritional content of the winter feed you have available. 

• use this information to see if you have an energy surplus or deficit which will help to manage your herd/flock and feed accordingly. 

As part of Farming Connect’s Our Farms Network, Roger and Dyddanwy Pugh who farm at Crickie Farm, Llangorse, Brecon, have been monitoring grass growth throughout the growing season.   

Mr Pugh said: “Grass measuring has enabled us to plan our grazing and silage ground accordingly, and helped us to create a robust Winter Feeding Plan, allowing us to become more resilient to weather shocks. 

“This winter, as a result of advice from Farming Connect, we have also chosen to grow fodder beet as a means of out-wintering cattle to ensure we have enough quality feedstock to carry our cattle through the winter and reduce the need for bought in feed.” 

Farmers can determine how much silage stock is required for the winter and get additional advice by accessing the information on Farming Connect.  

There is a range of support available from technical articles, 1-2-1 surgeries, advisory service and mentoring. 

Farmers wishing to access this support should speak to their local development officer or contact the Farming Connect service centre on 03456 000 813.   

Read more livestock news. 

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Bruce Forshaw, ForFarmers’ product manager, said that early first cuts are struggling for energy levels, compared to silages from 2022 and 2023, and have lower Rapidly Fermentable Carbohydrates. 

He added: “Acid loads are also lower, reflecting a high fibre content, which means you might not need to be feeding your usual levels of straw in the diet.” 

Analysis for early first cuts shows MELK values, which is the energy actually available for milk production, are not as high as in the last few years.  

READ MORE: Harvest 2024: Farmers count the cost of long wet winter 

Right supplementation 

Mr Forshaw explained: “The really poor weather we had in the spring meant some farmers were unable to take their first cut of silage until June, or even later, and this is reflected in the analysis of this silage. 

“Energy levels are low and fibre levels are high, reflecting the older, stemier plants that were harvested. At 941, 2024 first cut MELK values are considerably lower than the average in 2022 (956) and 2023 (966). This drop will convert to real loss of milk across the winter.  

“Farmers need to think carefully about the right supplementation to support this poor quality first cut silage. 

READ MORE: First 2024 harvest report: Good progress due to drier weather

“Second cut silage analysis is returning similar to those in 2022, but it is still not going to replace what has been lost from first cuts.  

“Think about using a CirQlar product to help balance the ration. SelcoPlus or caustic wheat are both cost effective ways to help replace some of that energy in the diet.” 

The expert added that this year’s data clearly shows the positive impact silage additive has on quality, particularly on second cuts. Silages that have been produced using additives have higher protein levels, D values and lactic acid. 

 “When you look at MELK for silages with additive the average is 963, while the average without additive is 930,” explains Bruce. “For an average 200 cow herd that equates to roughly £13,000 extra milk production from the same amount of silage,” Mr Forshaw concluded. 

Read more arable news. 

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Farm foreman Robert Hale said the weather conditions have been “almost perfect” this year for growing grass seed and yield appears to be good so far. 

“It’s our third year of growing grass seed and this is by far the best season we’ve had so far. Perfect,” he told Farmers Guide, as he began harvesting a 53ha field yesterday (30^th July). 

The farm, near Mickfield in Suffolk, is growing AberGain ryegrass for Germinal.

Starting harvest about the same time as usual, Rob, who is foreman at RH Forrest & Co, added: “The quality is definitely up there. The yield is good or it certainly appears to be good at the moment. Harvest moisture is 30% and the crop is fit to cut.”

As well as arable crops, the farm also keeps a herd of red poll cattle, which became part of the business 14 years ago. 

Whilst a small area of grass is sometimes cut for hay, the majority goes to a straw contractor.

READ MORE: ‘Have a happy harvest’ campaign launches to mark Farm Safety Week

Stripper header works well 

For the past two years, Robert has been using a 28ft CSD stripper header from Shelbourne Reynolds. 

Demonstrating its capabilities to Farmers Guide, he explained that the header combs the grass and strips the seed from it, leaving the plant behind. 

“All we’re interested in is just taking a small amount of seed into the harvester rather than all the crop residue,” he added.

The header is uniquely designed for combines, featuring a rotating stripper rotor with eight rows of stripping fingers that strip the seed, or grain, from the crop and leave the plant stem standing and attached to the ground.

Growing UK market 

Harry Garrett, a mechanical design engineer for Shelbourne Reynolds, was also visiting the farm to see how Robert is getting on with the header.

“We’re hoping to see as many stripper headers in these conditions in the UK as possible to get a grasp of the different conditions,” he commented.

The UK and European markets are currently smaller than the export market for Shelbourne Reynolds, with a lot of its headers, especially for harvest machines, going to the US, Australia and the rest of the world.

However, the UK market is building up. “We’re trying to grasp a knowledge base and help customer feedback, here in the UK [to see] how they’re getting on with the machines,” Harry added.

It was positive feedback from Robert yesterday, Harry confirmed. “He’s had this header for two years now. He’s got to grips with how it functions and the usability of it, so he’s getting on well.”

READ MORE: Watch the New Holland CR11 combine launch into harvest 2024

READ MORE: Sunny spell progresses harvest 2024

Heavy duty machine needed 

Grass is heavy and power-hungry to harvest compared to wheat, barley and other cereal crops, so the stripper header is heavy duty, Harry noted.

“It’s ideal for these conditions, especially with the UK weather – if you get a damp, green crop you really need a more hefty sort of machine to be able to cope with the power needed.”

The CVS and CSD ranges are available from 12–32ft and all models are suitable for harvesting a wide range of cereal crops including wheat, barley, oats and grass seed.

The rotor drive options are variable speed belt (CVS) or high torque drive system (CSD).

According to Shelbourne Reynolds, the stripper header increases harvesting efficiency by up to 50%. And because the combine no longer has to process so much foreign material, the seed recovery rates generally improve.

Harry said the 28ft model that Robert has is ideal for his set up, particularly with his high-powered, high-capacity Claas Lexion 8900 combine. 

Read more harvest news.

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Working across England and into Northern Ireland, Ken Stroud, Ecosyl silage specialist at Volac, sees huge variability in silage quality – but farmers who consistently produce better quality silage, tend to have a thorough understanding of silage analysis. While technology, silage analysis and cow genetics have all improved, many farmers still follow ‘plan A’ instead of thinking about ‘plan B or C’, he said during the Forage Forum in May.

Silage analysis relies heavily on the quality of the sample. Ken’s top tips are:

• Make sure the sample is a true representation of the crop
• Samples should be double bagged, all air removed, then labelled immediately and kept in a cool bag with freezer blocks, or refrigerated
• Take samples towards the end of the day, at the beginning of the week, so they can be posted that evening and arrive the next morning
• Combine results with a visual inspection of the ensiled crop – how it looks, feels and smells.

Look closer at silage analysis

Whilst most farmers will look at dry matter, protein, ME, and perhaps sugar and pH, Ken advised digging deeper into your silage analysis results. Also, keep a record of the dates of cutting, tedding and silaging process, weather conditions and applications of slurry and fertiliser.

What to look out for:

Dry matter: The target for clamped grass is around 30% (baled silage is often higher), however Ken said there can be too much focus on DM – if you have 30% DM but had to wilt it for 2-3 days, all the goodness will be lost.

Protein: The range is commonly 12–17%, though it’s very variable. Bi-cropping also creates problems with accurate analysis, as legumes added into grass leys will increase the overall protein. Maize and wholecrop, meanwhile, tend to be around 8.5–10%.

Intake potential: This varies depending on how the laboratory tests but is useful to look at.

Neutral detergent fibre (NDF): Increases with plant maturity and determines the rate of forage digestion in the rumen. High levels, over 55, are associated with low D values and intake levels. Ideally it should be below 50 – but often below 45 is preferred with grass silage in high yielding cows and multi-cut systems.

Sugars/water soluble carbohydrates: Varies from almost zero to 6% in very dry grass silages. Low residual levels in silage are acceptable as long as they have been utilised in the production of lactic acid, not undesirable acids like acetic or butyric, Ken explained. High residual levels improve palatability but increase risk of aerobic spoilage.

Ash content: This is a measure of total mineral content, and a good indicator of soil contamination. Uncontaminated grass can have an ash content of 5–8%, while levels greater than 9 indicate significant contamination leading to poor fermentation and butyric acid production.

One of the contributors to higher ash contents is the increased use of tedder rakes. Whilst it’s a great tool, it should be used carefully (not set too low).

pH: The lower the pH, the greater the acidity which reduces the chance of secondary (butyric) fermentation occurring. A range of 3.8–4.2 is generally acceptable but this can be higher in silages above 35% DM. Importantly, this must occur very quickly in the fermentation process to enhance the silage.

Ammonia (NH3 % of total N): This is a good indicator of how much protein has been completely broken-down during ensiling. The target is below 5% of total nitrogen. High levels, above 10, indicate poor fermentation.

Lactic acid: Reflects the efficiency of fermentation. The optimum level is 80–120g/kg and the ratio of lactic acid to voluble fatty acids (VFAs) must be monitored. It should be a minimum of 3:1 but 5:1 or more ensures the best fermentation.

Volatile fatty acids: This is a measure of undesirable fermentation acids, mainly butyric and acetic. High values indicate poor fermentation – the target is to have as low a value as possible, certainly below 20, but Ken encourages farmers to aim for 10 or even less. Any amount of VFAs in forage means DM losses – and with farmers looking to be more feed efficient and sustainable, this is one area where they need to “sit up and take notice”, Ken added.

If there are issues with yeasts and moulds, heterofermenters will sometimes be used to deliberately produce acetic acid to fend them off. However, this usually occurs in higher DM forages, so the first port of call is to bring the wilting time down and the DM back a bit, Ken said.

If VFAs are persistently high, consider lighter cuts and a maximum wilting period of 24 hours. Bringing wilting periods down is an area farmers should target over the next few years.

To avoid soil contamination, Ken advises leaving a reasonable amount of stubble when mowing – do not remove the last leaf node – and set the tedder in the field, not on concrete so it doesn’t sink down. Then, spend five minutes following the tedder or mower to ensure they’re not set too low – they must not scrape the soil. With the window between slurry applications and cutting getting smaller, we must work very hard on crop hygiene to prevent undesirable bugs upsetting the fermentation.

A proven inoculant such as Ecosyl can help ensure more sugar is converted to lactic acid to improve fermentation, and helps to stress clostridial bugs that make it into the crop, Ken concluded.

Visit the Volac website for more information.

Read more livestock news

The post How to get the best out of your grass silage appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Dr Mark Leggett explained that it is best to cut grass at its nutritional peak, which is before heading, rather than cutting when it is older and lignified. Also, wilt to the optimum dry matter (DM) content. 

He added: “Typically, 35-45% DM is considered optimum for baled grass silage. This might be appropriate for beef and sheep. But dairy farmers shouldn’t be afraid to aim for the lower end of this DM range. 

“This not only reduces wilting times, to reduce in-field nutrient losses, but a lower % DM also improves the fermentation and reduces the risk of heating and spoilage. 

“Bales have a large surface area, so sealing rapidly against air is also vital with all % DMs to reduce heating and spoilage.” 

Beneficial bacteria 

Dr Leggett said that it is also important to choose the correct type of additive to reduce losses in bale quality and DM. 

“Tailor the additive used to the bale % DM and to how long the opened bale will be exposed to air for at feedout. 

“For lower % DM bales which will be eaten within a day, for example, 35% DM or below on dairy units, where there is little risk of aerobic spoilage (heating), consider using Ecosyl 100 to preserve the bale by improving the initial fermentation.” 

READ MORE: Guide to baling safety

The expert added that if bales will be open for two or three days before being consumed, for example on beef and sheep units, farmers should focus not only on the initial fermentation but also on tackling spoilage and heating.  

“In these cases consider Ecocool. This contains two beneficial bacteria, one for fermentation and one to target the yeasts and moulds that cause heating and spoilage.  

“Alternatively, consider Double Action Ecobale, which includes two bacteria, one of which is effective at fermenting drier material, plus a feed-approved preservative.  

“It’s also important to store and stack bales correctly to avoid splitting. At lower % DMs don’t stack them too high. Above 35% DM, they can potentially be stacked three or four high,” the expert concluded. 

Read more forage and silage news. 

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New grass and clover varieties on the RL offer improved yields and disease resistance, and could help livestock farmers to maximise forage use on farm.

There are 11 new varieties on the 2024/2025 RGCL for England and Wales, including: two Italian ryegrass, six perennial ryegrass, two lucerne and one festulolium.

With production costs a key concern for livestock farmers, maximising forage use can help reduce feed costs and improve efficiency. 

Missed opportunity

Katie Evans, senior engagement manager (Beef & Lamb) at AHDB, said: “While farmers readily embrace advancements in livestock genetics, reliance on outdated grassland varieties persists.”

Farmers who fail to adopt modern varieties are missing an opportunity to capitalise on superior attributes such as yield, digestibility and seasonal growth, she added. 

“The priority to minimise production costs per unit of output remains a key concern for livestock producers. 

“Increasing forage production on farm presents a viable strategy to reduce reliance on external feed sources. 

“Grassland farms in England and Wales hold substantial potential to increase both the quantity and quality of grass and clover produced and consumed.”

Better sward performance

Ellie Sweetman is a forage crop specialist at NIAB and the RGCL trial coordinator on behalf of BSPB.

She said reseeding with RGCL varieties will increase sward performance and give good return on investment.

“To get onto the RGCL, varieties must offer a clear improvement to the existing list. 

“This pushes the standard continually upward with increasing yield, nutrient use efficiency and ME yield per hectare, therefore increasing production efficiency and sustainability.”

Accurate, independent data on the RGCL allows farmers to select varieties and mixtures that are tailored to their specific farming conditions and animal needs.

The list also provides technical guidance on reseeding, maximising sward productivity, she concluded.

The Grass and Clover Recommended List (RL) trial programme is managed by NIAB on behalf of the BSPB, with trials sites across the country run by NIAB, IBERS, DLF, DSV and disease sites run by NIAB and Barenbrug. 

The 2024/2025 RGCL handbook and full lists for merchants is available for download from the AHDB website. Hard copies are available upon request. 

READ MORE: Considering outwintering cattle? Start grazing planning now

Descriptions of new RGCL varieties 2024

Italian ryegrass (diploids):

Bigdyl

• Excellent total average yield
• Very good ME yield for an Italian diploid
• Excellent ground cover in both harvest years
• Excellent resistance to crown rust
• Limited data showing very good resistance to brown rust.

Exotyl

• Excellent total average yield and ME yield for an Italian diploid
• Excellent ground cover in both harvest years
• Excellent resistance to crown rust
• Limited data showing very good resistance to brown rust.

Hybrid ryegrass:

Kubicek (DLF FPF-25856) (Festulolium Hexaploid)

• Excellent total annual yields in second and third harvest years when compared to hybrid tetraploid means
• Outstanding ground cover with good D values
• Limited data shows excellent winter hardiness
• Very good resistance to crown rust
• Limited data shows very good resistance to brown rust.

Intermediate perennial ryegrass dip:

AberTweed

• Excellent total annual yield, ME yield, seasonal growth and D value under simulated grazing with good ground cover
• Excellent total yields, D values and ME yield under conservation management
• Good resistance to crown rust
• Very good resistance to drechslera
• Limited data shows very good winter hardiness.

Farmington

• Very good total annual yield
• Good ME yield, D value and ground cover under grazing management
• Good yields and D values under conservation management
• Good resistance to crown rust and drechslera
• Limited data shows very good winter hardiness.

Late PRG dip:

Bomium

• Excellent total annual yield and ME yield
• Excellent late season growth under simulated grazing
• Excellent yields and ME yields under conservation management
• Good resistance to crown rust.

Late PRG tet:

AberForth

• Good total yield
• Outstanding early season growth and D value under simulated grazing management
• Excellent first and second cut D values under conservation management
• Good winter hardiness and good resistance to Drechslera.

Richhill

• Excellent total yields under conservation management
• Excellent first and third cut yields and very good second cut D value.

AstonGlory 

• Very good total yield
• Excellent ME yield
• Outstanding D value under simulated grazing management
• Excellent seasonal growth from early summer to autumn
• Excellent second cut D value under conservation management.

Read more livestock news.

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