With silage ground being closed on many farms across the country at the moment, Teagasc advisor Peter Lawrence from Tinahely, Co. Wicklow is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast with an insight into reducing costs whilst balancing silage quantity and quality.

Peter outlines the importance of completing a fodder budget to determine the amount of silage needed next winter and hence the area of ground to be closed.

Farmers also need to determine the quality of silage needed - be it for spring or autumn calving cows, weanlings or finishing stock. Now is the time to ensure enough fodder is made with 70-75% of the requirement made in the first cut.

Apply slurry at 2,500-3000 gallons per acre using LESS. For first cut silage the aim is to have at least 25 kg N/ha supplied from organic sources (slurry) and the remainder 60-75 kg N/ha (48 – 60 units/ac) supplied from chemical N, a total N application of no more than 100 kg N/ha (including 12-15 units of sulphur) for a crop growing from early April to late May (60 days).

Peter highlights that the cutting date is important when it comes to making quality silage. Farmers should talk to their advisor about a weed control programme especially docks

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

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