Dairy
As we are now into the month of May, farmers may be eyeing up an early silage cut, and farmers should be budgeting feed for next...
Now that virtually every silage pit is open and silage is the main source of forage in the cow's diet, minimising waste has to become a...
Rural Life
A farmer in Lahinch, Co. Clare has been refused planning retention permission for a silage pit, machinery shed by An Bord Pleanála
As first-cut silage is being harvested and stored on many farms across the country, it is time to...
Environment
As silage season approaches, Limerick City and County Council has reminded farmers of their obligations around effluent.
Dairy Technical
Silage pits on many farms have now been open for a numbers of months in most cases and it is now time to ensure that there is enough fodder
The winter routine is full swing on dairy farms, with silage pits now opened and cows housed until next spring.
On the vast majority of farms, the silage pit has now been opened and the feeding of cows for the winter months has begun.
Grass is key to Irelands agricultural production model, with grazed grass and silage used at different times of the year to feed our livestock.
Grass
Recent reports of farmers requesting silage pits to be filled to excessive "and potentially...
Agri-Business
With less than 10% of first-cut silage done calls are being made for calm amid a 'frenzy' among farmers in a hurry to catch up
As silage season approaches, now is the time to consider the environmental risk of silage effluent to avoid a pollution incident.
In 2017–18, most farms experienced severe winter followed by a summer drought that reduced annual grass growth and forage supplies by one quarter.
Buildings
The delivery of concrete for "essential minor works on farms", such as silage pit slabs, is permitted, Minister Creed has confirmed.
Machinery
A maximum height of 6m for the loading and construction of silage pits has been called for to improve pit safety by the FCI.
Beef
Silage is the number one feed on farms over the winter period. However, silage quality can negatively impact the performance of the herd.
A number of fire crews in the midlands were called to a farm to quench a silage pit which had somehow caught fire.
Silage waste is a problem on many farms. Over the winter season waste can build up. Here are some steps that can help to avoid it.
Tillage
Mixing beet and maize in the pit is getting popular in Co. Cork. JB O'Donovan delivers, chops and mixes beet with maize as it goes into the silage pit.
After the fine growing conditions over the last couple of weeks, many farmers have cut pit silage. The question now is- have you got enough?
How exactly do agricultural contractors set their rates when the silage ground in question is a good distance away from the pit (clamp)?
Wagon operators from around the country were asked for quote prices that they currently charge for cutting silage this summer.
Winter feeding is well underway and many farmers have long opened their silage pits to start using the reserves of grass saved earlier in the year.
