An evaluation of the effect of silage management practices on commercial farms in England and Wales on baled silage quality

Research has provided clear guidelines on how to improve baled silage quality and inhibit mould growth. The aim of this survey was to evaluate to what extent these best practice methods have been adopted on commercial farms and to evaluate if these methods improved silage quality. Details of management practices followed during the growing, ensiling and storage of round bale silage were collected, and three bales evaluated on each of 80 farms. Film-wrap seal and bale shape were evaluated and film-wrap samples were taken to determine the number of layers applied. Surface mould cover was visually assessed and silages were sampled for NIRS analysis. Bales with six layers of film-wrap had a more effective film seal compared with bales with four layers (P<0.01) and fewer bales showed surface moulding (P<0.01) and where present, less surface mould was evident (P<0.05). Bales with six layers of film applied had a higher ME and CP concentration when compared to bales wrapped with four layers of film. Bales wrapped by the stack had a better film seal and less surface mould (P<0.05) than those wrapped on the harvested field and transported to the stacking area.