Cut above the rest (From Western Telegraph)

Cut above the rest

Pembrokeshire dairy farmers John and Gaynor Harries regard good quality silage as a key to maintaining yields in the winter.

Their focus on producing a premium crop at Velindre Farm, St Nicholas, has earned them the top prize in the 2003 All Wales Silage Competition.

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, which runs the competition in conjunction with the Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies, said crucial points were awarded for the attention to detail the Harries' put into minimising waste in the clamp. They also had top marks for fully utilising the silage, said a spokesman for the society.

Mr and Mrs Harries, who farm 180 hectares, have a herd of 300 dairy cows, 180 followers and 120 beef cattle.

Their pedigree Strumble herd has been bred for good manoeuverability and a capacity to take in high levels of feed.

The herd achieves an impressive rolling average yield of 8100 litres per cow, with over 4,500 litres coming from forage.

Three cuts of silage are taken to produce 2,800 tonnes of grass silage. A further 600 tonnes of maize is also ensiled.

The first cut was taken on May 8th, with subsequent cuts at six-week intervals. The winning clamp, wilted for 24 hours before ensiling, produced an analysis of 27.8% dry matter, D value 75%, ME 12.1%, protein 16.1% and PH 4.0%.

An additive had been used for the first time after problems were experienced the previous year.

"It was a good quality silage but it wasn't stable in the pit, the PH dropped as the winter progressed," said Mr Harries.

GOOD quality silage is a key to maintaining winter yields, says John Harries., pictured. PICTURE: Debbie James.