Thursday, 21 March 2024 07:55

Unlocking nutrition from bumper maize silage

Written by  Staff Reporters
Central and Northern North Island have produced excellent crops with farmers expecting yields in the high 20 tonnes/ha. Central and Northern North Island have produced excellent crops with farmers expecting yields in the high 20 tonnes/ha.

With farmers having a bumper maize silage season this year, how it is harvested and managed will be crucial to preserving its quality and unlocking its nutritional value.

Cyclone Gabrielle and atrocious weather decimate a lot of last year's maize crops.

Fast forward 12 months and the central and northern North Island have produced excellent crops with farmers expecting yields in the high 20 tonnes per hectare, according to Pioneer farm systems manager Wade Bell who recently presented to the SealesWinslow team. Canterbury and the Central Plateau are also producing record yields.

SealesWinslow nutrition and quality manager Paul Drew says as harvesting gets underway, many factors can influence maize silage quality from the chop length to kernel integrity and how you manage your stack.

"Harvest time, longer chop lengths and cracked kernels enhance the availability of nutrients, while proper stack management, including drainage and covering prevents, spoiage and mould growth," says Paul.

"Farmers should consider their maize silage harvest timing carefully. Maize silage should be harvested when whole plant dry matter is approximately 35%. An indicator of this is where the milk line is two-thirds of the way down the kernel. To confirm this, a sample should be tested, using a suitable method or in a laboratory. Harvesting at the right time ensures a better silage yield, maximising starch content and promotes good fermentation through the ensiling process."

Farmers should aim for a chop length of arond 15-20mm for the best packing density in the stack and fermentation. Using well-maintained forage harvesters with sharp blades will also achieve a clean cut and minimise kernel damage.

Proper compaction in the silage stack is also crucial for removing oxygen and promoting good anaerobic fermentation.

"It's all about doing the basics well," says Paul. "Use heavy packing equipment and compact layers to achieve a dense stack. Stacks should also be well sealed to create an airtight seal and prevent spoilage."

More like this

Locally grown fruits, veg in full supply

One of the country’s two largest supermarket chains is reporting that for the first time since the disruption of Covid, they have largely full supply on almost all fruit and vegetables grown locally.

Carpet maker Bremworth set for 'sustained growth'

Wool carpet and rug manufacturer Bremworth says it’s emerging from a period of significant transformation, rebuilding from damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle and moving away from synthetics to the production of wool carpets and rugs.

Further support to speed up recovery

Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has announced $16.8 million in Budget 2024 funding to support councils in accelerating recovery efforts following the severe weather events of 2023.

Featured

Editorial: Celebrating dairy

OPINION: While dairy farmers were busy milking cows last Wednesday morning, 150 leaders and stakeholders of the industry gathered at Parliament over breakfast to celebrate their achievements.

Positive signs, says McClay

First up to the podium at the recent Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) Conference in Wellington, Minster for Agriculture, Todd McClay, reflected on a difficult 12 months, but hinted at signs that things were turning the corner, saying “when ag does well, New Zealand does well”.

Time to cast the net past China

A 2022 Nuffield scholar, Lucie Douma, was brought up on a Southland dairy farm and as a hobby likes the risky business of trail running and ultra marathons.

National

Retiring breeder’s last hurrah

The 63rd National Holstein Friesian Bull sale this week (September 18) will mark 54 consecutive years that retiring Kerepehi breeder…

No-frills fert on offer

Ballance Agri-Nutrients has launched SimplyFert, an ex-hub and therefore lower-cost offering said to give its shareholders choice and flexibility for…

Machinery & Products

A range of tankers on offer

A relatively young company, founded in Germany in 1977 by Josef Fliegl Senior, the Fliegl Group now employs more than…

Choosing the right system

Choosing the right effluent system requires professional advice, considering future plans, and picking the right person for the job.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Say nothing!

OPINION: Normally farmer good organisations are happy to use the media to get their message across to politicians and the…

Payout stakes

OPINION: It's that time of the year again when milk processors announce their annual results and final milk payout for…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter