UK Dairy Day
Silage variability prompts concerns over protein energy balance
M
ore fi rst cut silage samples are testing higher in energy than protein – raising con-
cern that dairy rations may become imbalanced this winter.
Challenges with low silage protein levels were fi rst fl agged in early fi rst cut silage analysis results. But later fi rst cuts suggest the picture is becoming more extreme – translating into even lower average crude protein levels. Average crude proteins are now
13%, according to an analysis of 163 silage samples, including later May- June cuts, by Mole Valley Feed Solu- tions. This is down from around 14.5% for early fi rst cuts. The range runs from 8.2% to 21.6% crude protein. Mole Valley senior nutritionist Rob-
in Hawkey says the fermentable ener- gy and protein balance (NFEPB) is of particular concern. “Left unaddressed,
this could negatively impact on milk output,” he explains. Normally, crude protein levels to be higher than metabolisable ener- gy at about 14-16% crude protein and 11MJ/kg DM. But this season NFEPB has been reversed with some silages analysing at 10% crude protein and 11MJ/kg DM. Dr Hawkey, says such a pattern is
unusual. “I think that’s linked to the very cold, dry spring. It suggests that applied fertiliser wasn’t taken up, so the plant didn’t produce as much protein.” Farmers that cut very early ap-
pear to have been impacted less. Those most affected appear to be farmers who planned to cut in the second or third week of May and then had to delay due to the weather and cut in late May- early June.
The issue is not just with crude pro-
tein, but how that protein is made up. Rumen fermentable protein (RFP) and total fermentable protein (TFP) lev- els are both particularly low, says Dr Hawkey. This “raises fl ags over rumen func-
tion,” he adds. RFP and TFP are need- ed to promote rumen function, maxim- ise nitrogen effi ciencies and optimise production of microbial protein. To address the protein and energy imbalance and protect milk produc- tion, Dr Hawkey advises feeding ru- men fermentable protein sources such as rapeseed.
Protein
and energy imbalances must be addressed, says Robin Hawkey
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36 MIDLAND FARMER • AUGUST 2021
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