Silage spoilage is often caused by poorly stored bales, warns Graham Robson, European Technical Manager of Tama UAT Ltd.

"Wrapped bales should be stacked on their ends, allowing the maximum layers of film to be in contact with the ground for added protection and eliminating the possibility of bales becoming mis-shaped by further stacking on top," he advises.

In particular, he adds, low dry matter bales should never be stacked more than one high - this will avoid the seal on the film overlap opening through the constant heavy pressure exerted on them from bales on top.

Following their mentoring and coaching skills training in June, we now have nine Grazing Partners who are fired up and ready to go out and help other local producers with their grassland management.

The BGS Grazing Partners are:

Dairy

To read the full report on this years Summer Meeting in Northern Ireland, click here....

Since 1991, international grass seed specialist Barenbrug has had a partnership arrangement with DARD and AFBI in Northern Ireland to maximise the commercialisation of Loughgall bred varieties. An extension to the contract between Barenbrug and AFBI, together with DARD support for the strategic research elements of the work, will take the AFBI breeding programme forward on a secure footing for the next 10 years, says Barenbrug.