First-cut Silage Challenges in Wet Weather

The winter of 2023 and 2024, the wettest on record in England and Wales, brought persistent wet weather that left many UK farmers struggling with soil degradation and disappointing first-cut silages. Prolonged waterlogging not only impacted this year’s silage quality but also raised long-term concerns for soil fertility. As farmers look to the next growing season, addressing the first-cut silage challenges in wet weather and the impacts of saturated soils is critical to ensuring sustainable productivity.

When soils remain waterlogged, oxygen is pushed out, creating anaerobic conditions that harm microbial activity. These changes lower soil pH, leading to nutrient imbalances. For instance, manganese becomes excessively available, while copper forms insoluble compounds that plants can’t absorb. Such shifts could lead to nutrient deficiencies in subsequent crops, compounding the damage.

How Wet Weather Affected Soil and Silage

1. Soil Health Challenges
   Saturated soils became anaerobic, disrupting microbial processes. This triggered the release of organic acids that reduced soil pH, while essential nutrients like phosphorus and potassium became less available.
2. Nutrient Leaching
   Prolonged rains caused leaching of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from soils. This reduced grass growth and lowered silage nutritional value, leaving farmers with both short-term and long-term concerns.
3. Silage Complications
   Wet conditions created multiple issues for silage production:
   • Poor compaction and sealing: Silage clamps saw more oxygen, leading to spoilage and nutrient losses.
   • Harvesting difficulties: Delayed fertiliser applications and harvesting on wet fields introduced soil and slurry contamination, further degrading silage quality.
   • Early clamp openings: Many farmers faced depleted forage stocks, forcing them to open clamps prematurely. This exposed silage to oxygen instability, heating, and further spoilage risks.

The Silage Solution That Made a Difference

Amid the challenges of early silage clamp openings in 2023/24, one silage additive stood out as a game-changer for preserving silage quality under pressure. SiloSolve® FC’s advanced oxygen-scavenging bacteria, effectively tackled spoilage risks, enhanced fermentation, and minimised nutrient losses—enabling confident early opening within just seven days. Farmers who relied on SiloSolve® FC reported greater silage stability and significantly reduced spoilage, even under the demands of early clamp use.

First-cut Silage Strategies for 2025

To avoid a repeat of the past season’s struggles, farmers should consider these mitigation strategies:

1. Soil Testing and Treatment
   Analyse soil pH and nutrient levels across affected fields. Apply lime where necessary to bring soil pH to the optimal range of 6.0–6.5 for grassland.
2. Fertiliser Optimisation
   Tailor fertiliser applications to soil test results. Use slow-release fertilisers to reduce the risk of nutrient loss in wet conditions.
3. Silage Management
   Focus on proper compaction and sealing to minimise oxygen penetration. Include SiloSolve® FC to boost silage stability and allow early clamp openings when necessary.
4. Drainage Improvements
   Invest in field drainage systems to reduce waterlogging risks. Avoid compacting wet soils, which exacerbates anaerobic conditions.

Tackling First-cut Silage in 2025

The wet winter of 2023/24 highlighted the vital connection between soil health and silage quality, exposing first-cut silage challenges in wet weather. Persistent waterlogging and early feeding pressures underscored the importance of proactive soil monitoring and innovative silage solutions like SiloSolve® FC. By addressing soil acidity, improving fertiliser strategies, and incorporating advanced inoculants, farmers can better mitigate the effects of challenging seasons. These strategies not only safeguard silage quality but also protect long-term soil fertility, building resilience against future weather extremes.