To increase the value of home-grown forage and maximise margins on-farm this winter producers are being urged to balance rations and optimise rumen function.

Dr Michael Marsden, head of technical at Trident Feeds highlights that this year’s silage crops are good quality overall but have potential of acid loading so will need to be balanced carefully to ensure a healthy rumen.

“Results of more than 4,200 first-cut silage samples and 1,400 second-cut samples analysed by Trouw Nutrition GB show marked improvements compared to 2014, with almost half of the first-cut crops found to have more than 11ME.

“This is good news for dairy farmers looking to increase milk yields, while keeping overheads down, as it offers an opportunity to produce an extra two litres/cow per day from first-cut forage.”

However he warns that diets will need to be carefully formulated to reduce the greater acidosis risk that has already been witnessed this year.

“Higher levels of sugars and increased amounts of rapidly fermentable carbohydrate, in combination with lower levels of fibre, could result in an increased risk of acidosis when feeding both first and second-cuts of silage,” he explains.

“For this reason, farmers need to ensure that they are supplementing rations accordingly to reduce the risk.”

To push yields safely he suggests feeding digestible fibre, available from sugar beet feed or wheat distillers, rather than starchy energy sources.

“The inclusion of an additional digestible fibre source, such as sugar beet feed or wheat distillers, will help maintain a balanced rumen environment. This will help to uphold milk butterfat content and also reduce the risk of acidosis.

“These additions to a forage based diet could have a significant impact on improving outputs and cow health, ensuring that the bottom line isn’t comprised this winter period,” concludes Dr Marsden.

Trident’s range of sugar beet products comprises of Maxibeet, Supabeet, Supaflow and Molassed Shreds.