Building better silage: The foundations for success

Silage production is a cornerstone of modern farming, ensuring high-quality feed for livestock. Yet achieving consistently good silage requires a strong foundation built on best management practices, informed decision-making, and the right tools.

Here are some insights on how farmers can optimise the silage process — from field to feed passage — by implementing practical, science-backed strategies.

Laying the foundation for quality silage

Success in silage-making begins long before harvest. It starts with understanding the specific needs of the farm, including factors like machinery, storage space and feed-out rates. A tailored approach helps farmers maximise forage quality while addressing potential constraints. The key steps in establishing a solid foundation for silage production include:

• Climate considerations: Selecting forage species that can withstand temperature or moisture stress.

• Field preparation: Minimising soil contamination during harvest to maintain forage purity.

• Fertilisation strategies: Applying appropriate nutrients for optimal forage growth and quality.

• Harvest timing: Identifying the optimal growth stage for harvesting.

• Ensiling best practices: Managing the harvesting and storage process effectively to preserve nutrients.

Managing nutrients from field to feed

While the challenges of maintaining nutrient integrity during ensiling have remained relatively consistent over the past 15 years, advances in technology and management practices have significantly improved silage outcomes. The key principles of effective silage-making include:

• Harvesting at the correct stage of maturity in a hygienic manner.

• Chopping forage to an appropriate length to minimise air pockets.

• Using a suitable silage treatment based on forage type and feeding system.

• Rapid ensiling and compaction to achieve high-density.

• Sealing silage properly and maintaining airtight conditions throughout storage.

• Minimising disruption to the silage face during feed-out.

Controlling air and microbiology for optimal fermentation

Oxygen is the enemy of good silage. When air is present, undesirable microorganisms thrive, leading to nutrient losses and heating. Historically, farmers relied on chemical salts or heterofermentative bacteria to control these issues, but this often resulted in dry matter losses and reduced nutritional value.

Today’s homolactic silage inoculates are an excellent alternative to their heterofermentative counterparts, offering advantages in fermentation and nutrient recovery. In addition, advancements in silage-making techniques and equipment have revolutionised the process, offering better control and improved outcomes:

• Modern mergers and rakes reduce soil contamination during collection.

• Precision chopping minimises air spaces in ensiled forage.

• Improved compaction techniques enhance silage density and stability.

• Enhanced defacers and block cutters preserve the integrity of the silage face during feed-out.

• True oxygen barrier plastics dramatically reduce air infiltration, extending silage stability by up to four days.

Maximising silage potential with informed choices

With technological advancements in management, silage inoculants and plastics, farmers have more effective options for silage success — but combining them can be tricky, especially the combination of the right plastic with the right inoculant. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages here is essential to making informed decisions, ensuring that the resulting silage meets both quality and stability expectations.

At Alltech, we are committed to helping farmers navigate these choices with expert advice, on-farm support, and research-backed solutions. A good choice is an informed choice, and with the right foundation, silage success is within reach. For example, using Egalis^® Ferment, a high-specification homolactic inoculant, alongside a high-tensile silage plastic with oxygen barrier properties, can deliver significant benefits.

Silage success powered by science

Producing high-quality silage requires more than just following tradition — it demands a science-driven approach and modern management techniques. By combining best practices with cutting-edge solutions like Egalis Ferment, farmers can reduce dry matter losses, protect nutrients, and enhance feed stability.

Find out more about the Egalis Range. 

Contact your Alltech representative for more information on these and other innovative solutions and services.