What are the benefits of multi-cut silage?

Advantages of a multi-cut system

• Higher energy value
• Higher forage intakes
• More milk from forage
• Higher digestibility
• Less dead material being ensiled
• Lower yield per cut - easier to wilt
• Quicker regrowth

Disadvantages to consider of a multi-cut system:

• Additional contractor and harvesting costs
• High capacity equipment required for quick turnaround
• Multi clamps may be required
• High fibre forages may need to be added to the diet

The success of the multi-cut system starts by ensuring that leys are in the best possible condition, which for many will be more frequent reseeding, or overseeding than is currently practised. By keeping leys in better condition they will yield more dry matter per acre and will utilise fertiliser more efficiently.

Comparing multi-cut silage yields

The growth habit of grass makes it ideal for multi-cut. Grass regrows in a slow-quick-slow pattern, so more frequent cutting can increase the period of quicker growth. The table below shows the effect on silage yield and quality when taking 5 cuts compared to 2 larger cuts.

The data shows the significant yield improvement of energy and protein per hectare.

When using a multi system a D-Value of up to 75 is targeted. This would result in approx 12.0MJ of energy per Kg of DM. It shows that there is a potential to achieve as high a feed value as in grazing systems.

Multi-cut chop length

Chop length should be varied according to DM and quality. If it is all young leafy material and 32% DM then 3-5cm. If it’s 28-30 DM then 5cm minimum, but if it’s wetter and below 28 then it needs to increase in length even up to 10cm at 22% DM.

Younger, leafier crops are likely to be easier to consolidate in the clamp than older, stemmy ones. However continue to fill in layers of maximum 15cm deep for good consolidation.

Preserving your multi-cut crop

Although the higher protein content of younger-cut grass is a benefit, nutritionally it can make the silage more difficult to ferment. Younger grass can also be lower in sugar, so not only can the acid needed to preserve the silage be in shorter supply, it can also be ‘neutralised’ to some extent by the higher protein.

Adding a high-quality silage additive which delivers proven ‘good’ bacteria into the silage is important to deliver a fast, efficient fermentation. In this way, as much lactic acid is produced in as short a time as possible (rapid pH fall) before the protein exerts its full buffering effects.

Multi-cut mixtures

Varietal choice is very important to match the system to the growth habit of the grasses.

• Mixtures contain intermediate and late heading varieties from the recommended list that provide plenty of early season growth and maintain quality and yield throughout the season.
• Mix of diploid and tetraploid varieties provides good ground cover, persistency, high D value and yield.
• Ideal for frequent early season cutting avoiding stemmy later season growth
• High silage performance, which is dense and persistent.
• High yielding mix for up to 4 years high production.
• DNDF varieties to improve digestibility.
• 65% High sugar varieties to enhance forage quality and intake.

Browse our range of grass mixtures here