Rog Wood

Experts from SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) are encouraging beef and sheep producers to get their silage analysed as soon as possible to give them maximum warning of potential problems they could face this winter.

Whilst early published analysis showed a slight improvement on last year's feed value the figures often relate to fields cut during the sunny days of late April or May and generally on dairy farms in central/southern England. For many other parts of the country it has been a poor summer because of cold, rain and sometimes even drought.

According to SRUC livestock specialist Dr Basil Lowman, one of the many things to have suffered is the quality of silage made for feeding next winter. "For the vast majority of beef and sheep producers making silage in the conditions of June and July things have been completely different," he said, adding: "The cool conditions reduce the grass growth, but not the date when seed heads emerge, resulting in low yields of quite stemmy material. For many, conditions then worsened still further, with increased and even excessive rainfall."

Dr Lowman points to evidence showing the huge impact silage quality can have on the amount of winter feed needed, if animal performance is to be maintained.

"The poorer the quality of the silage the less cattle eat. This lower daily silage intake is further reduced by having to feed more barley if animal performance is to be maintained. In some cases concentrate requirements over a 180-day winter feeding period could be increased two or three-fold compared with when good silage is available."

SRUC believes that beef and sheep producers who get their silage analysed now will give themselves time to plan and prepare for any problems they might face this winter.

"The poor summer will also be reflected in poorer animal performance," Dr Lowman reminds them. "With lighter, leaner animals coming in at housing time there could be a double whammy on cereal and concentrate requirements this winter, just when grain prices are beginning to firm."

Market round-up

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 24 store heifers in Lockerbie on Tuesday to a top of 214p per kg and an average of 197.9p, while 11 store bullocks peaked at 243p and levelled at 218.3p.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 596 prime lambs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £73.50 per head and 160p per kg to average 135p (-6p on the week).

The firm also had 152 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £83.50 for a Bluefaced Leicester and £65.50 for Blackfaces.