Roughage tour Looking back at 2021
Grass analysis: large variation per cut and area
The 2021 grass season is characterized by the dairy farmers who participated in the Boerenbusiness Roughage tour in a wide variety per cut, but pretty good on average. In general, the dairy farmers look back quite positively on the results achieved. It is therefore high time for an analysis of the grass silages.
The table below shows the group's average over all silage results for the 2021 growing season. In general, the participants experience the quality of the forage harvested as reasonable.
For example, the average amount of VEM is 917 with a crude protein of 169. Compared to the national five-year average, the pits of the participants are easy to digest. This can be seen from the NDF% (72) and VCOS% (77). Another striking aspect is that the sugar is very low (53 to 80). In contrast, the lactic acid is higher (57 to 38). This means that during the ensiling process, many sugars have been converted into lactic acid, which in turn is beneficial for milk production
With regard to VEM and the crude protein, the average of the pits of the Roughage Tour participants was higher than that of the five-year average of the Netherlands. It is striking that the participants on average have a higher OEB than DVE. This difference was mainly in the later harvested cut.
The graph above clearly shows how the DVE and OEB have developed over the year. In the fourth and fifth cuts in particular, the OEB increased sharply, compared to the DVE, which actually remained the same throughout the year.
There is a lot of difference in the DS% among the participants. Five out of ten participants are around 40% dry matter, while three are around 30%. In Zeewolde, on average, the most protein was extracted (185) in Hengelo this was the lowest (140). It is also clear to see that the average OEB content is also high at the three companies that have extracted the most protein. A lot of OEB in the ration can ensure that not all the protein is used. Good digestion is therefore important for optimal use.
The average sugar and lactic acid in the Netherlands over the past five years was 80 and 38. The Roughage Tour grass silages scored an average of 53 sugar and 58 lactic acid. In particular, the lactic acid in these pits is significantly higher. In the table above; it can be seen that this is partly due to the company in Guttecoven and the company in Udenhout. The company in Guttecoven always works with an silage agent. Dairy farmers Silvain Kusters: "I have been using silage agents for years and have noticed a real difference. This is also clearly reflected in the high average lactic acid."
Emphasis on silage management
The average NH3 fraction at the grass silages is 9,35. This is on average on the high side and the individual figures also show that this is due to a number of pits that had an NH3 fraction of 15 or more. According to Leo Tjoonk, roughage specialist at Agrifirm, it is important to emphasize silage management. "A high NH3 fraction has consequences for the palatability of the ration. It also indicates that the silage management has failed. As a result, the silage is not stable and the feed values continue to change. There is also a greater chance of heating when the silage is removed." , says Tjoonk.
Not only the NH3 content is a point of attention for some pits. The raw ash content, especially that of the autumn cuts, is also important to keep an eye on. "An increase in the crude ash content causes a strong decrease in the VEM. Aim for a crude ash content of around 100. With a crude ash content of 180, the VEM already decreases by 120." The graph also shows that with a high crude ash content, the chance of high butyric acid also increases.
As a final point of attention, Tjoonk notices that the nitrate content is too high in a number of pits. Too high a nitrate level can lead to nitrate poisoning in livestock. It is also a sign of nitrogen that has not yet been used to make protein. This may be due to the lack of time between fertilizing and mowing. "Therefore, try to keep at least a period of three weeks between fertilizing and mowing the next cut, so that the nitrate level remains low," concludes Tjoonk.
Ronald Smit
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