With cows housed all year round, silage is a fundamental part of James Martin’s system on his farm in Dromintee, Co Armagh.

An updated fodder budget prepared by Dairylink adviser Aidan Cushnahan found that there is enough silage on the Martin farm to last the milking herd and 25 dry cows at least eight months, and the youngstock five months.

Results for the first cut reflect the excellent weather conditions in May. Weather was difficult for later cuts and this led to delayed harvesting and lower energy (ME) values.

To address this, the Martins are mixing first- and second-cut silage for the lactating groups on the farm, while third-cut silage is being allocated to heifer replacements and dry cows.

The milking herd is split into two feed groups. The high yielders are offered 42kg of silage, 6kg of a 24% crude protein blend and 4kg of caustic wheat. This diet is designed for maintenance plus 28l and cows are topped up with a 17% crude protein nut in a feed to yield system in the parlour.

The low yielding group are on 42kg of silage, 3kg of blend and 2.5kg of caustic wheat. This ration covers maintenance plus 18l and all cows in this group are offered 1kg of concentrate in the parlour on a flat rate basis.

Read more in this week's Irish Farmers Journal and online here.