Farmers urged to protect maize silage after dry summer

With many now turning to maize clamps sooner than usual, an expert is urging careful management to avoid spoilage and maximise feed value.

Lientjie Colahan, forage technical support at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, said: "Maize crops are looking strong across most of the country, but a rapid increase in plant dry matter due to drought stress leading to maize crops that are tougher to compact during ensiling are raising the risk of heating and spoilage in the clamp."

She explained that using a silage inoculant could help preserve crop nutrition and allow earlier, more stable clamp opening.

Mrs Colahan recommends an inoculant designed for drier, weather-stressed maize, such as MAGNIVA Platinum Maize Elite.

She said: "The benefits to treating maize this year are multifactorial as many crops are at higher risk of a poor fermentation and heating at feed out.

"Using an inoculant that will drive the fermentation as well as inhibit yeast and mould growth will pay dividends."

Effective compaction is also critical to prevent spoilage.

Mrs Colahan said: "Drier, more fibrous maize is difficult to consolidate because it resists compression and creates larger microscopic air spaces.

"These spaces allow yeasts and moulds to remain active for longer at the start of the fermentation, and, if not inhibited by an inoculant, they multiply quickly once the clamp is opened and oxygen is allowed back in."

She advises filling clamps in thin layers and applying sufficient weight to expel air, particularly with drier material.

A good rule of thumb, she says, is to have 25 percent of the filling rate (in tonnes per hour) compacting the clamp at all times.

Clamps should be sealed immediately with a high oxygen barrier sheet and inspected weekly for damage.