DAIRY farmers have been urged to leave maize in the clamp for at least six weeks before feeding, to allow starch degradability to improve.

A combination of factors are being attributed to this year's drop in starch degradability, not least the favourable growing conditions which saw crops mature earlier resulting in them being harvested at a later maturity stage.

Bethany May, ruminant nutritionist at Trident Feeds, said that from 618 early analysis results, taken by Trouw Nutrition GB, the national picture shows that starch degradability is down three per cent on last year, to 76.8 per cent.

She said: "Producers should try to keep maize in the clamp for at least six to eight weeks before feeding, as the crop needs time to reach second stage fermentation. This process increases starch degradability which is where the value in maize silage lies."

Those who are tempted to include maize in the ration sooner due to low remaining forage stocks are encouraged to get their maize silage analysed to understand what they are working with.

She said: "It’s likely that the results will show reduced starch degradability and therefore producers will need to balance rations with a high energy and protein liquid, such as Spey Syrup, which has higher energy than cereals and rapeseed meal."

However, it would be important for producers to re-analyse maize regularly throughout the year, as starch degradability will increase with time in the clamp and as the winter progresses, there may be a need for a switch to a slower release energy source such as Traffordgold moist feed or soda wheat to buffer the rumen at a later date.

As more starch becomes available in the rumen, it may also be necessary to introduce digestible fibre in the form of sugar beet to ensure rumen efficiency is improved and production maintained.