If we can grow quality grass, we can make quality silage

If We Can Grow Quality Grass, We Can Make Quality Silage
Dr. David Lawrence
Head of Nutrition, Agritech

Autumn/Spring 2025/26 will become a memory as one of the most difficult periods for farming. Cows and cattle were housed in early autumn, and in many cases have only resumed grazing heavier ground in recent days. This is undoubtedly becoming a more frequent scenario, and the sentiment of early/late grazing is proving to be a difficult reality on many farms across the country. Spring 2026 has certainly given fuel to idea that we need to put a larger emphasis on the indoor period of our farms, with grass silage quality featuring in many discussions.

Managing grass quality in the summer months has the same urgency as conserving grass quality as silage for the winter months. The targets are the same in both scenarios, maximise feed quality to optimise both production efficiency and profitability from the forage component of the diet. Simply put, grazing grass that is too strong reduces the production efficiency of milk and beef; equally feeding silage that was cut too strong and/or poorly preserved will reduce the production efficiency of milk and beef. They are merely two sides on the same coin.

There are many factors which influence quality and they all need careful attention and planning for a successful outcome.

Key Steps to Producing High-Quality Silage

1. Maintain a high-quality ryegrass sward with adequate soil fertility by reseeding and soil testing.
2. Cut it on time (Ideally before the 22^nd of May).
3. Mow it higher than you are comfortable with (6-8cm).
4. Give it a fast wilt (24hrs or less, target dry matter (28-32%)).
5. Avoid soil contamination by operator errors (avoid mowing or raking in soil).
6. Get it into the pit quickly and roll it really well and continuously.
7. Use a good cover and oxygen barrier and maintain a good seal, (tyres should be touching on all sides and sandbags on the edges are a help)
8. Use a silage inoculant such as “GrasZyme SugarBoost” to ensure that your fermentation goes to plan, maximising the retention of both the quality and volume of silage available to feed.

For further advice, contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor www.agritech.ie