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Farmers have always had a challenging relationship with the weather, as the elements play such a decisive role in the fortunes of farms. In recent years, adverse weather has made significant impact on the UK farming community. The weather is becoming more extreme and unpredictable, affecting forage harvesting in particular. The only clear forecast we have for the 2008 season is that it will be uncertain. In 2006, we saw silage shortages due to an intense summer heat wave. In 2007, the weather swung the other way as flash floods devastated silage making. Alongside this, livestock farmers are under increasing pressure to consider their impact on the environment and are actively encouraged to reduce their carbon emissions, whether this is through machinery used, or even the methane emitted by cows. However, the outlook is not all bad. These challenges are set against the ripe opportunities for livestock farmers. The drive for bio-fuel production and increased demand from China has led to a tightening of livestock supply. Now is the time to make the best use of silage feed so that end products - whether meat or dairy goods - are of the best quality to take to the market and maximise profits. By following best practice on silage production, farmers can have a positive impact on all of these issues. Avoiding dry matter losses can both improve silage quality and reduce carbon emissions. Excluding oxygen from the point of making silage to the point of feed is the best way to avoid these losses. Baled silage is generally best - with losses of just 8% compared to clamp silage losses, which are often as high as 25%. The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) recommends wrapping silage bales with six layers of film, as this provides an optimum barrier to oxygen, reducing respiration losses and preventing mould and yeast growth. Wrapping should happen as soon as possible after baling - ideally within two hours - to prevent aerobic respiration. It is also important to handle and store bales carefully and cover them in netting so as to protect against damage from wildlife. However, whilst it is crucial to get the details right, farmers also need to be more flexible in their general approach to forage. This means making silage when the opportunity arises, provided there is no residual fertiliser, and not simply according to tradition. The weather is a lottery and it now makes more financial sense to play it safe, even if this means compromising slightly on yield. The old adage, 'make hay when the sun shines', can certainly be applied to silage making now.
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