Teagasc drystock advisor Terry Carroll and beef farmer John Phelan join Catherine Egan on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss the importance of harvesting silage and the ensiling process in making top quality silage.

Given the last few weeks with poor grass growth on farm, Terry advises farmers to make the best quality silage possible now and meet your requirements for good quality silage first depending on the stock you intend to keep over the winter.

He says that by delaying harvest date, it will reduce the dry matter digestibility of the crop and overall quality. This will lead to increased cost next winter due to increased concentrates. Terry said that farmers can get a sample of grass tested in their local Teagasc office by contacting their advisor to determine sugar content or if there are concerns over nitrates.

Kilkenny store-to-finish farmer John Phelan explains that due to weather in the past month he will be delaying harvest by ten days and intends to cut silage on 25th May - weather depending.

John also discusses the silage process on his farm and he highlights the importance of quality silage on his farm particularly for reducing costs on farm and achieving maximum weight gains next winter. He then discusses the importance of health and safety during this period on farm also.

For further information:

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/Teagasc-Quality-Grass-Silage-Guide.pdf

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

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