High-performing livestock operations rely heavily on quality roughage, yet the true value of maize silage is often lost before it reaches the feed bunk. Kerry Rowlands, a field agronomist at Pannar Seed, highlights how producers can elevate their feeding programmes by focusing on the precise balance between dry matter and starch rather than just bulk volume.
Silage is a cornerstone for dairy and beef feedlot systems across South Africa. However, maximum profitability requires viewing silage as an energy-dense feed source rather than simple roughage.
According to Rowlands, getting the starch-to-fibre balance right allows farmers to cut back on expensive commercial feed additives while directly boosting overall feed efficiency.
Strategic planning and hybrid selection
Building a high-yielding silage crop starts in the soil long before the planter enters the field. Rowlands stresses that managing soil fertility, specifically correcting subsoil acidity and balancing potassium levels, is crucial, especially since harvesting the whole plant removes far more nutrients than harvesting for grain alone.
When selecting seed, biomass volume should never come at the expense of grain potential.
“The ideal silage hybrid should offer both high dry matter yields and high starch content,” Rowlands explains. “Grain contributes up to 65% of the energy value of maize silage, which means hybrids that perform well as grain producers are often excellent silage choices as well.”
She adds that while planting density for silage is typically 10% to 30% higher than for grain to boost overall biomass, pushing populations too far causes plants to compete excessively for light and nutrients, which compromises ear size and starch density.
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Protecting plant health and managing seasonal stress
Ensuring strong, uniform emergence requires planting when soil temperatures consistently hold above 15°C alongside adequate moisture. Once established, keeping the crop healthy and stress-free directly protects energy accumulation.
Rowlands notes that severe crop stress from drought or nutrient shortages restricts root development and overall plant growth. Disease management also plays a vital role in maintaining the feed’s nutritional value.
“Healthy leaves are essential for photosynthesis and grain fill,” Rowlands emphasises. “A proactive fungicide programme helps keep the crop green and productive throughout the season.”
Failure to control foliar diseases increases fibre and lignin levels in the plant while reducing grain fill, ultimately degrading the energy quality of the final feed.
Flawless execution from field to bunker
Even a top-tier crop can lose its value if details are overlooked during harvest and storage. Rowlands warns that one of the most common pitfalls occurs right at the pit or bale stage.
“Ensiling requires careful attention to compaction and sealing,” Rowlands warns. “Covers should fit tightly and be weighted properly to exclude oxygen. If air enters the silage bunker or bale, yeast and mould development can occur, leading to spoilage and significant feed losses.”
Ultimately, producing superior silage comes down to executing the basic agronomic principles with discipline at every stage. As Rowlands advises, success hinges on focusing on the fundamentals, from initial soil preparation and hybrid selection right through to compaction and storage.
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