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Case Study Farm: Oldfield Farm Young stock are grazed on keep away from the farm and numbers are such that not all the available grazing is needed in late spring and early summer. The ground is lightly fertilised (20kg N per acre) and excess grass is first mown when in optimum condition for ensilage. It is chopped to 9 inches (22cm) and allowed to wilt long enough to ensure high dry-matter content (see table below). It is then baled and wrapped. The same technique is applied to a second cut although in this case it is chopped to only 3 inches (8cm).
This fodder is prepared for specific dietary reasons. It is fed to dry cows, along with some whole crop silage (up to 60% DM), to improve rumen performance prior to calving and ensure a smooth transition to a higher protein feed over the 20 - 25 days post-calving. It is not necessary to add straw alone for "scratch factor" since this is provided by the drier whole crop and baled silage. The results on this specific farm are difficult to quantify without properly structured trials but some of the work done by Ruman (part of the Keenan organisation) and IBERS indicate that the technique is beneficial and that elements of what is being done on the farm under review is repeated on progressive dairy farms around the U.K. The farm has been using high DM silage in the manner described for about five years. It was first adopted at the suggestion of the farm's nutritionist, a member of staff at Kite Consulting. < Back to Spring 2009 Newsletter |
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