FORAGE ANALYSIS

Over 85% of farms in Ireland make silage each year. Grass silage accounts for 20-25% of total annual feed per cow on well-run dairy farms. Grass silage accounts for up to 30% of total feed on beef farms depending on the production systems in place.  Rhyno Mills offer a full forage sampling and testing service for grass silage, maize silage and hay  based on a number of parameters (dry matter %, dry matter digestibility (DMD), energy and protein content etc). Using these results we can calculate and budget how much and what type of concentrate you will need during the winter to achieve target growth rates. We offer a full forage sampling and testing service for grass silage, maize silage and hay grown for silage has different needs to grass grown solely for grazing. Silage can provide high quality forage for winter feeding however, as with all crops, it depends on using the right varieties of grass and optimising soil conditions.