Act now on cereals to offset silage shortalls

As farmers assess cereal crops and make harvest decisions, livestock producers are encouraged to consider wholecropping or crimping to offset forage shortfalls – particularly where grass silage yields have been lower than expected.  

Lientjie Colahan, silage technical support at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, says now is the time to decide whether to take cereals as wholecrop silage or crimped grain – based on grass silage results so far. 

“We’re at a critical point in the forage calendar,” she explains. 

“Many farmers are facing lower-than-expected grass silage yields, due to a tricky spring, and are turning to wholecrop for the first time to bolster forage stocks.  

“Using first and second cut silage results to guide your cereal decisions could make all the difference to winter rations.” 

A key benefit of cereals is their flexibility, she explains. 

“For example, if grass silage yields look short, wholecrop silage can act as a great ‘clamp filler’,” says Mrs Colahan. 

“Whereas, if you’ve got plenty of silage, but the energy content is low – which can happen with dry, early-cut grass - crimped cereals provide a good option for achieving a high-energy feed.” 

Wholecrop cereal silage also helps balance rations by adding effective fibre to lush early-cut, high-ME grass silage, or buffering wetter, more acidic silage, she adds. 

“The choice between wholecrop and crimping depends largely on dry matter,” says Mrs Colahan.  

“Wholecrop is ideally taken at 35-40% DM, while crimping requires a much higher DM and produces a starchy concentrate feed. Having both options gives farmers real flexibility.” 

Tips for cereal forage success 

However, Mrs Colahan stresses that successful use of cereals for forage – whether ensiling or crimping – depends on harvesting and clamping practices.  

She advises: “Set the forager to a shorter chop length for better consolidation in the clamp, and beware that the waxy cuticle makes wholecrop harder to compact.

“A small grain processor in the harvester is always recommended for better digestibility at feed-out.” 

Due to their higher dry matter and straw content, wholecrop silages generally require greater compaction than grass silage.  

“If not compacted properly, oxygen pockets can form in the clamp, increasing the risk of spoilage from yeasts and moulds,” says Mrs Colahan. 

“So, it’s recommended to use your narrowest clamp to reduce feed-out face time and minimise dry matter losses.”  

She adds: “Also spread the crop in the thinnest layers possible - 20cm is the recommendation for optimal consolidation - and seal the clamp quickly to retain energy in the forage.”  

To protect against spoilage, Mrs Colahan recommends the use of a crop- and condition-specific inoculant, such as Magniva Platinum Wholecrop, which combines antifungal and acidifying bacteria with enzymes. 

“Magniva Platinum Wholecrop includes Lentilactobacillus hilgardii CNCM I-4785 and Lentilactobacillus buchneri NCIMB 40788 bacteria to reduce spoilage risks, along with Pediococcus pentosaceus to accelerate fermentation,” she explains. 

“The enzymes also release bound sugar from the fibre to help fuel the fermentation. This unique combination supports a fast, stable fermentation and preserves feed quality.” 

She adds: “Making the right call on cereal forage now – and investing in best-practice harvest and clamp management – can help reduce reliance on bought-in feed this winter, especially with homegrown options already under pressure.”