This content is copyright protected! However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the headline, summary and link below: Title: Testing silage ahead of harvesting on the Footprint Farms Testing silage for nitrates and sugars ahead of harvesting can be useful, but factors like the weather and the availability of contractors will impact how these test results are used. https://www.farmersjournal.ie/testing-silage-ahead-of-harvesting-on-the-footprint-farms-698839

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When we took silage samples on the Footprint Farms last autumn, quality was poor in some cases. All farmers had good silage, but also had some lower quality silage on their farms. In an effort to tackle this quality issue, we have decided to take sugar and nitrate tests ahead of harvesting for silage. Taking these samples a few days before you intend to cut lets you know if the crop is ready, particularly for nitrate levels.

If nitrogen is too high in the grass, then harvest may need to be delayed as this can lead to poor fermentation.

We also have to consider the weather. If silage is almost ready to cut and a bad spell of weather is on the way, then realistically, if nitrate is slightly high, the grass will be cut anyway as the delay from and the effect of the weather could have a bigger impact on silage quality. But if weather is good and the contractor is willing to wait, then it should be considered where appropriate.

Testing for nitrates is important, as if nitrogen levels are high in grass when it is cut and ensiled, this can lead to poor-quality fermentation and silage.

In general, the rule is that grass uses two units of nitrogen per day. Some days it will use less and some more, but it generally balances out. So, if you spread 100 units of nitrogen per acre on your silage ground, you shouldn’t cut it until at least 50 days later. In a dry or cold year, nitrogen may not be taken up by the crop for a long time and then rain might come and a flush of nitrogen is released. This also needs to be considered. Testing for nitrates lets you know if levels are low enough to cut the crop.

Remember some local co-ops will test the sugars of your grass for free this season, or you can bring a sample to a lab to get tested. Just remember to take grass samples from across the field and cut the end of the grass with a scissors. Place it in a clean bag to transport to the lab.