Soaring temperatures and dry soil are smashing UK feed crops, and farmers are preparing for harsh winters with reduced silage stocks.
UK feed crops are under severe pressure as long-term heat waves continue to run out of soil moisture reserves, raising concerns about winter feed availability.
The continuous hot and dry conditions have a major impact on both grass and corn crops, and experts are urging farmers to act to mitigate potential shortages.
According to the latest figures from AHDB, grass growth is currently 32% below the average for the same period between 2017 and 2023.
“After the extreme heat waves this season, most of the country has endured the waves,” said Simon Pope, Crop Conservation Manager at Wynnstay. “It directly impacted grass and corn performance.
“If there is a lack of rainfall, we see real concerns about a lack of feed shortages heading into winter.”
Corn crops are particularly struggling in affected areas. Some early-present crops benefited from well-prepared nursery and deeper roots, but other crops excavated into later excavated cultivation surfaces were struggling, and shallow root systems left the plants exposed to drought stress.
“This season really highlights the value of attention to detail at every stage of corn cultivation,” added Dr. Pope.
“It’s never too late to think about crop nutrition. Approximately 30% of the total nitrogen requirement of a plant occurs during the period of cob demand.”
To support the development of COBs, Dr. Pope recommends the application of properly timing leaves of delayed release protective ureas such as N Durance 28 applied in Tasselling.
This can be boosted with fungicides to protect eye spots and biostimulants to promote additional growth. According to the Pope Dr., this approach has already produced promising results for commercial crops across the country.
Feed yields appear lower than expected, so for livestock producers it is important to preserve as many crops as possible through efficient fermentation.
The Pope emphasizes the importance of using effective silage additives during harvesting to minimize dry matter loss and maintain nutritional value.
In the case of grass silage, ecosil has been proven in testing. It reduces dry matter loss by up to 50%, improves digestibility of 2D units on average, and increases milk yield of 1.2 liters per cow per day.
“High UV levels can kill the grass’s natural bacterial population, otherwise fermentation can occur,” explains Dr. Pope.
“Ecosyl does not accidentally open up fermentation by applying one million “good” bacteria per feed-treated gram. ”
Corn silage also needs careful storage, especially if grass stock is limited. Volac’s Ecocool is one option for combining beneficial bacteria to address the fermentation and heating issues caused by yeast and mold.
The trial suggests that EcoCool will keep corn silage cool for up to 10 days after opening, helping to maintain energy and feed value during feedout.
