Early first cuts were ensiled under good conditions, while later cuts were very much a stop-go situation, with rain almost every day delaying cutting. This has resulted in a wide variation in first cut silage, with excellent quality silages on some farms, compared with poorer quality on other farms where cutting was delayed or went in wet. This poorer quality silage will need to be supplemented with more concentrates, if performance is not to be compromised. As always, ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating’. If you haven’t already had your silage analysed, a sample should be sent off immediately, as the analysis could have major cost saving implications for your winter feeding programme.

Silage must not be considered a cheap feed, particularly if the quality is poor. Straw, provided that it has been properly balanced, can also provide an economic source of additional roughage for dry cows and young stock.

Where maize silage constitutes a major proportion of the diet, wheat, barley (or molasses) should be added to provide rumen degradable starch/sugars to maximise microbial growth in the rumen. Maize starch largely bypasses the rumen, before being digested further down the intestine.

Milk prices and feed costs

Milk prices have held up in N Ireland, despite forecasts that prices would fall. The average price paid to producers in July was 17.35ppl, with the top 100 producers being paid 18.49ppl. While the auction price for August (21.53ppl) was up 0.52ppl on the July price, the price was 0.74ppl lower than July 2004. We shall have to wait for the September auction to see if prices are maintained. Last September, milk fetched an average of 21.12ppl at auction, down almost 1.8ppl from the 22.91ppl in September 2003.

During August, feed raw material (RM) prices for at least the early part of the winter were expected to be roughly similar to last winter.

However, Hurricane Katrina caused chaos in the RM markets in the US, due to damage to ports on the Gulf of Mexico, and New Orleans in particular. To date this year, the New Orleans/Gulf region has accounted for over 29 million tonnes (58%) of the 50m tonnes of maize and soya exported from the US. Three weeks after Katrina, 9 out of the 10 export elevators are now back in operation (to varying degrees), with relatively little physical damage. More problematic now is the severe drought inland that has reduced water levels in the Mississipi and Illinois rivers to the lowest levels for 17 years, restricting the tonnage of maize and soya barges can carry to the Gulf. Over half of the 40% of maize and soya exported from the US originates from the area served by these two rivers.

Meanwhile, as other costs continue to increase, the cost of quota has collapsed, with prices of 0.7-0.9ppl being quoted for leasing compared with 8.5 - 9.0ppl a year ago and buying quoted at 5.5ppl, compared with 16-17ppl a year ago.

Uncertainty still hangs over the future, with ongoing concerns over the impact of decoupling, the Nitrates Directive/Phosphate control problems and the extent of to which cull cow prices improve after OTMS finishes. At least the problem of planning permission for the erection of slurry stores has been resolved for most farmers, now that planning is not required, unless the structure exceeds 600m2.

Maize Silage/Whole Crop Wheat

After a poor start, maize crops recovered well and excellent growing conditions later in the summer should mean bumper yields of high quality maize silage. Growers should aim for 30% dry matter and 30% starch content.

Whole crop wheat inclusion in the diet should be restricted if performance is not to be affected. Research has shown that both milk yield and milk quality are likely to be reduced if too much is fed. Given the low protein content of both maize and whole crop wheat silage, protein intakes must be balanced, if milk yields are to be maintained.

Quality of Raw Materials/Straights

Continue to monitor the quality of purchased raw materials on a regular basis. If you have any queries, please call us. A selective analysis may only cost a fraction of the damage caused by a load of inferior product.

Silage Analysis

Silage analysis is available through the Agricultural Research Institute, Hillsborough, BT26 6DR. Send a 400g sample of fresh silage from 3 cores taken in a diagonal line across the silo. Ensure that the cored samples are thoroughly mixed before the final sample is taken. The cost is £12.50 (plus VAT) for grass silage and £15.50 (plus VAT) for maize silage and whole crop wheat.

Place the sample in a plastic bag and squeeze out all the air before sealing. Clearly label the bag on the outside with your name and address, the silo name or cut number.