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Australian Silage Information Network

The Potential Impact of Silage on Beef and Dairy Industries

Research in recent years has shown that using silage has the potential to make a major impact on the profitability of beef and dairy industries in Australia and other countries. Direct impacts of the use of silage include increased animal weight gains and improved milk yields. Indirect impacts include pasture improvement and land protection. The overall strategic potential of using silage is to increase the level of profitability of beef and dairy industries and to cushion these industries against the effects of drought, flood and fire.

Facilitating the flow of information on silage is the function of the Australian Silage Information Network - a collaborative information network of research and industry groups.

The information network is under construction and ultimately will include various research institutes, groups and consultants in the fields of silage, milk and beef production. Currently the Network comprises these links:

• Commens Contracting Pty Ltd
  Forage harvesting and silaging contractors.
  
  
• Genesearch Pty Ltd
  Australian biotechnology product development and manufacture.
  
  
• Grevillia Ag
  Australian biotechnology product development and distribution.
  
  
• Mr. Rod Kenyon
  Consultant on crop & silage manufacture.

Claims for Silage based on Recent Research Results

Scientific and field research confirm the value of silaging, how the process works and the best methodology. Our silage research covers the following topics:

• High Quality Silage can be Used to Replace a Substantial Proportion of the Grain in Finishing Diets for Cattle
• Switching to Silage from Pasture can Significantly Increase the Stocking Rates of Animals per Acre for Dairy Farms
• Good Silage Making Techniques are Much More Profitable than Poor Silage Making Techniques
• More Recent Techniques for More Profitable Use of Silage
• Bacterial Inoculants should be Applied to Every Load of Forage Ensiled
• Components of a Good Inoculant
• How a Bacterial Inoculant works in a Silage Pit

Reducing Costs and Maximising Profits with Silage

• Use contractors to make silage.
  You don't have to invest in the capital equipment unless your size warrants it.
  
  
• Use consultants to establish good silage making techniques.
  Good techniques are needed for maximum profitability from silage. You may need help for a season or two to establish the most efficient methods for your farm.
  
  
• The right decisions will make silage the profitable choice.
  • Pits are much cheaper than bales and generally yield higher quality silage.
  • Minimising losses at all stages of silage making is worth a lot of money.
  • Once you have good techniques, using a good silage inoculant will maximise Dry Matter recovery and increase animal performance, leading to further improvements in overall profitability.
  • You can start silage making with a low capital investment, then minimise losses and improvement profitability by subsequent investments in capital equipment.