{"id":7975,"date":"2025-09-02T09:26:37","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T09:26:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jodoco.com\/ensiling-for-successful-dairy-cattle\/"},"modified":"2026-07-05T15:08:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T15:08:24","slug":"ensiling-for-successful-dairy-cattle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jodoco.com\/en\/ensiling-for-successful-dairy-cattle\/","title":{"rendered":"Proper silage doesn’t start at the silage pad: here’s how to lay the foundation for higher milk fat content and healthier cows"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Lower milk fat production is often attributed to the feed ration. However, the cause can often be traced back months earlier: to the silage-making process. <\/p>

The quality of silage determines much more than just its nutritional value. It affects palatability, feed intake, rumen function, and ultimately the cow\u2019s performance. Well-harvested silage allows you to formulate a stable ration. Poor-quality silage requires adjustments throughout the season. <\/p>

Making the right choices during silage production lays the foundation for a healthier herd and better financial results.<\/p>

Why silage quality has such a big impact on milk fat<\/h2>

Milk fat consists largely of volatile fatty acids that are formed in the rumen during the digestion of fiber-rich forage.<\/p>

When the rumen is functioning stably, rumen microbes produce sufficient amounts of acetic acid and butyric acid. These fatty acids are important building blocks for milk fat. <\/p>

If rumen function is disrupted by poorly preserved silage, insufficiently effective rumen structure, or an unbalanced diet, milk fat production often decreases.<\/p>

That is why managing milk fat content does not start in the concentrate bin, but with the production of high-quality forage.<\/p>

Four Factors That Make a Difference During Silage Production<\/h2>

1. Harvest at the correct dry matter content<\/h3>

Ensilage that is too wet increases the risk of juice loss and unwanted fermentation. Ensilage that is too dry makes compaction more difficult, causing oxygen to remain trapped and leading to faster heating. <\/p>

For most grass silage, a dry matter content of about 35 to 45% is a good starting point, depending on the conditions and the ensiling system.<\/p>

A simple dry-matter measurement before ensiling prevents many problems later in the season.<\/p>

2. Maintain a sufficiently effective structure<\/h3>

It’s not just about nutritional value.<\/p>

The structure of the roughage also determines how long cows ruminate and how much saliva is produced. That saliva helps keep the rumen pH stable. <\/p>

A crop that has been chopped too short can increase feed intake, but reduces its effective structure. A crop that is too long, on the other hand, is difficult to compact. <\/p>

The correct cutting length therefore always requires a balance between structure and preservation.<\/p>

3. Ensure rapid and controlled fermentation<\/h3>

Proper preservation begins as soon as the grass is placed in the silage pit.<\/p>

By compacting the mixture quickly and immediately covering it with an airtight seal, lactic acid bacteria are able to lower the pH rapidly. This limits the growth of yeasts, molds, and unwanted bacteria. <\/p>

A well-preserved silage pit retains more nutrients and remains more stable during silage removal.<\/p>

4. Prevent heating during silage removal<\/h3>

Even a perfectly ensiled silage can lose quality if oxygen re-enters during feeding.<\/p>

Fermentation not only consumes energy and dry matter, but also reduces the palatability of the ration.<\/p>

Therefore, use a clean cut, ensure an adequate feed rate, and prevent loose feed from accumulating on the silage.<\/p>

Common Mistakes Made During Silage Production<\/h2>

In practice, consultants often encounter the same challenges.<\/p>

Therefore, make sure to avoid these mistakes:<\/p>