Data:  
The data was extracted from research trials conducted on different forage crops: high quality ryegrass silage, medium quality ryegrass silage and a mixture of ryegrass and red clover silage.

The "Cost of silage production" figures are based on a comprehensive literature review in each of the countries reviewed. They assume standard contractor rates where labour is required and include reseeding, lime, fertiliser, additive, polythene, harvesting and storage costs.

Assumptions:
Costs for forage harvested clamp silage is based on harvesting costs per ha, bale costs are based on individual bales prepared.

Average DM content level and layers of film per bale used for the calculations:

  • UK: average DM content level of bale silage of 33% and four layers of film per bale.
  • Sweden: average DM content level of bale silage of 41% and six layers of film per bale are.

Financial benefits of using different layers of film have not been included in this model.

Production of clamp silage does not include clamp depreciation costs or land rental values for silage areas.

The dairy and beef economic benefits are based on the following milk price and beef carcass value:

  • UK: milk price of £0.18/litre and beef carcass value of £1.53 per kg of live weight gain.
  • Sweden: milk price of SEK 2.91/litre and beef carcass value of SEK 20.68 per kg of live weight gain.

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