Good quality silage is a valuable asset for farmers, but getting it right requires care and attention to both the clamp and the ensiling process.

Biological processes problems in the clamp can result in average losses of 20 to 25 per cent, something visitors to the Grassland & Muck event can learn to avoid at new ensiling talks this year.

According to Will Wilson, business development manager at Bock UK, clamp design is key to both the quality of silage and ease of ensiling, but often clamps are too wide, too long and overfilled.

Will said: "The face is the second highest cause of waste in the clamp, so should be as small as possible.

“It is also advisable to consider the clamp situation, make sure it is easily accessible to feed cattle and has no back wall so it can be expanded, always keep the future in mind."

Dr Dave Davies believes that the ensiling process is just as vital as clamp design, and achieving the correct density in the clamp is important and requires thin layers of no more than 15cm.

Dr Davies, who will be speaking on behalf of Volac at Grassland & Muck, said: "The target is 700kg of fresh matter per m³, which, depending on the silage dry matter, is approximately equivalent to 220kg of dry matter per m³.”

When harvesting grass the chop length should be adjusted according to its dry matter, as a longer chop with high dry matter will not produce the right density and will be too bouncy.

If grass is above 30 per cent dry matter, chop to 1.5 to 2.5cm, if it is 20 to 30 per cent dry matter, chop to 2.5 to 5cm and if it is less than 20 per cent, increase the chop to 10cm to prevent clamp slippage.

Aerobic spoilage can cause losses of up to 25 per cent in the clamp, and most problems at feeding are because the clamp was filled incorrectly and at the wrong density.

The use of additives can protect against aerobic losses, but the choice can be confusing.

The denser the silage is filled into the clamp, the quicker the oxygen is removed, but if the clamp is then not sealed properly, oxygen can get back in.

Dr Davies said: "Side sheets are absolutely essential, with an oxygen barrier film on top, followed by the standard black polythene sheet.”

Will Wilson and Dave Davies will be giving ensiling talks alongside clamp demonstrations, sponsored by Bock and Volac, at this year's Grassland & Muck event, held on May 24 to 25.

Tickets are now on sale and visitors can save £4 per adult ticket by purchasing in advance.

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For more information please visit grasslandevent.co.uk