Good silage is the foundation to success on any livestock farm – not least by helping to weather the effects of volatility in milk and meat prices and feed costs.

This series of articles, titled 'Steps to Superior Silage', sets out to provide ideas to help improve grass silage making, whether for better quality, higher yields or both.

Dr. Adrienne Kerley, Volac’s research and development technical manager for forage, will provide practical tips to help farmers produce the best possible forage.

The first of the series will run on Thursday, and then every week for four consecutive weeks.

Steps to Superior Silage Series

Week One of the series will focus on cutting and highlight the role of wilting, with practical tips for farmers.

In Week Two, we will look at grass harvesting with advice on chop length and the role of a silage additive in promoting good fermentation.

Week Three will go into the science behind how a silage additive works and how using an additive can benefit animal performance.

The final instalment in the series, Week 4, will look at how best to fill and sheet the clamp and the role of an additive in silage bales.

Follow the Steps to Superior Silage series each week on Agriland to learn more about how to ensure your farm is producing top-quality silage.