TIMING IS EVERYTHING…
As the price of animal feed continues to rise, a leading manufacturer of crop packaging solutions is taking steps to help farmers maintain control of their winter feeding costs.
Over the last year, feed mix prices have been dramatically affected by the soaring price of their ingredients, which are being increasingly sought after by users in China and India as well by producers of bio fuels. The severity of the situation is such that the price of grain has gone from around £100 per tonne 12 months ago to approximately £188 per tonne today. Plus, as the current scenario shows no sign of abating, industry experts are predicting that there will be a further 25% increase in animal feed prices before 2008 draws to a close.
Against this backdrop, bpi.agri, one of the world’s foremost producers of bale wrapping films and clamp sheets, is doing everything it can to help farmers make the most of the cheapest source of winter feed available on any farm – ensiled grass. Most recently, and with the balewrapping season entering full swing, the company has issued advice on the optimum cutting stage for grass in order to ensure silage of maximum quality and nutritional value.
Drawing on research from acknowledged experts in animal nutrition, IBERS (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Studies), formerly IGER, bpi.agri says that whilst the optimum cutting date will vary from region to region and year to year depending on factors such as climate and height above sea level, there are still four key elements to consider to achieve the best results. These elements are the grass’ dry matter yield, crude protein content, water soluble carbohydrate/sugar content and its digestibility (also known as its D-value).
In reality, the optimum cutting date entails a trade off between these qualities. As bpi.agri’s Technical Manager, Bob Kingsland, explains: “To create silage with the best nutritional value, the grass being used must have a reducing dry matter yield but still a crude protein content of between 14 – 17%, a sugar level which is as high as possible to enable effective fermentation and a good D-value.”
Bob Kingsland continues: “The D-value is particularly important when producing silage for productive animals like dairy cows, beef or sheep. Highlighting this, recent research this was actually done at Hillsborough in Northern Ireland found that grass cut at the ideal time in terms of D-value could result in a 2.5 litre per day increase in milk yield as opposed to grass cut two weeks later. As a rule of thumb, bpi.agri recommends farmers and agricultural contractors aim for a D-value of 67 to 70 or the equivalent of 50% ear emergence.”
In addition and if possible, bpi.agri advises cutting on a sunny day in the afternoon as the grass will have higher levels of sugar to fuel fermentation - in turn raising levels of residual sugar in the silage at feed out. The company also says farmers and baling contractors should take care to ensure there is no residual fertiliser nitrogen in the grass. This helps to produce better quality silage with low ammonia and acetic and butyric acids, ultimately contributing to better intake potential.
Bob Kingsland sums up: “With grain and feed prices going through the roof, farmers urgently need to think about using other types of feed this winter and options don’t come easier to produce or cheaper than baled silage. To make the most of this low cost alternative however, the cutting stage of the grass is paramount. As with so many things in life, timing is everything.”
For more information please contact Wayne Mohammed or Kim Bailey at Manifest on 01484 469601 or wayne@manifestcomms.co.uk / kim@manifestcomms.co.uk
DATE: 01/04/2008
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