THE results from the first 100 analysis of this year's first cut silages by Davidsons Animal Feeds has revealed that quality is mixed and lower than last year.

Commenting on the results, James Collantine, a livestock feed adviser at Davidsons said: "The ideal silage has a dry matter (DM) of more than 30 per cent, but the average in our first 100 samples this year is only 26.4 per cent.

"Likewise a metabolisable energy (ME) result of more than 11.0 would be desirable in first cut silage, but so far this year many silages have failed to get anywhere near this figure.

"The highest result from our 100 samples was 11.4 and the lowest 9.3. The average was 10.2. The crude protein (CP) figure is a guide to whether the silage will provide enough protein to the rumen microorganisms. One would hope for a CP figure in the region of 14-16 per cent, but this year sees very poor results.

"The average is 12.9 per cent, but one result is as low as 8.1 per cent compared to the top result, 16.5 per cent.

"Unfortunately the D Values (a measure of digestibility) and sugar levels in the sampled silages are also below desirable levels. Sugars in particular are only found at an average level of 25g/kg of DM when the target figure should be in excess of double that."

Mr Collantine added: "The reality is that silage quality is proving to be very variable and we would urge dairy, beef and sheep farmers to get their first and subsequent silages analysed."

Milk Price falls

Meanwhile, prices crashed by an average of 8.4 per cent at this week's Global Dairy Trade auction. Prices are now 50 per cent back on where they were in February and this week's bad trade follows on from an 8.9 per cent fall three weeks ago.

Main movers in this week's auction were cheddar which was down 10.2 per cent, whole milk powder down 11.5 per cent and skimmed milk powder down 6.5 per cent, while butter was back 9.6 per cent.