Gelli Goll Project Update - January 2025

What has been done to date?

  • The crop was harvested on 30 July 2024.
  • Analysis of the crop can be seen in table 1 . 

Table 1.  Analysis of whole crop silage

 

NIR results

DM %

25.4

D Value

60.7

ME Mj/Kg DM

9.7

Crude Protein %

9.1

NDF % (Fibre)

46.1

Starch %

17.2

The protein was slightly lower than what we hoped for at 9.1% CP.  

  • 55 cattle are being fed a mixture of grass silage and combicrop which equates to 18kg/head of grass and combicrop (spring cereal and spring combinable peas) and 3.5kg of rolled barley split into two feeds.

Next steps - 

  • Through working with Hefin Richards, Rumenation, it has been discussed that the current protein in the diet could be increased. Options to achieve this include:
    • using a high protein molasses-based liquid which could be poured over the forage in the feeder bedder or after feeding 
    • use a small amount of rapemeal and this could be fed through the feeder bedder with the wholecrop and silage. 
    • increase grass silage protein by looking at the clover content of the swards, cutting date and protein retention during fermentation. 
  • The DLWG of cattle will be monitored over the winter months.