Managing the challenges of winter saved and spring pasture Winter saved and early spring pastures are often wet, with variable tonnage and contain higher dead matter at the base. Mowing height, time of harvest, wilting and weather are key points to consider when making silage and baleage. These pastures create challenging and risky fermentations due to being […]
Keeping Livestock Healthy Through Winter at Darroch’s Grazing Ltd Located 45 minutes south of Christchurch, Darroch’s Grazing is situated on the northern banks of the Rakaia River, where winter conditions can be harsh. Over the years, however, Adam Hardie and Don Hayes have found a way to keep the 3000 winter graziers and 1000 beef […]
Boot proof, dog proof, even Pukeko proof – SiloStop® AntiUV covers, partnered with SiloStop® Orange Oxygen Barrier Film are the perfect combination to protect your maize silage this coming season. Maize silage is prone to surface spoilage – how many stacks do you see with a layer or patches of spoilage at the top/shoulders? The […]
Mountview Farming Trust are continuously trying new approaches to keep improving their dairy farming operation. Led by Alastair Neville, Mountview Farming Trust run an Autumn calving herd of 340-350 Friesian cows. Central to their operation is the utilisation of silage for winter milking, of which maize silage is a significant part of the diet. At […]
Good site preparation key to quality silage By Trish Lewis, Forage and Nutrition Consultant Good preparation of a silage stack or pit site before the contractor arrives is a critical component of making quality silage. It is a waste to cut a young, leafy crop of grass, wilt it well but then contaminate it with […]
