UK and Ireland

The conservation of silage made from grass and forage crops has increased in popularity in because it is a cost-effective way of providing a reliable, nutritious winter feed from known resources and is less weather-dependent than haymaking.

Silage production trends

The UK has around 6.5 million hectares of grass, excluding rough grazing, and around a third of this is used for silage production. Grass, mainly perennial ryegrass, is the main crop for conservation.

While most silage comes from first cuts and is stored in clamps, baled silage clearly has a key role as some 13,000 tonnes of stretch film are used for silage bales every year (Source: Profi International).

Ireland has around four million hectares of grass. Silage is produced on 86% of all farms, which harvest a total of 1.24 million hectares for silage, though some is harvested more than once, so the actual land area used is slightly lower.

Baled silage is produced on 85% of all Irish farms that produce silage and accounts for 35% of the harvested area. It is most popular on beef and sheep farms.

Key market trends

  • Area used for silage in the UK (including Northern Ireland) has increased over the previous ten years.
  • Dairy farms are the principle silage producers and users.
  • Wrapped bales account for 25 – 30% of all grass silage systems and are proving more popular each year.
  • Purchased silage in bales has expanded (farmer to farmer).
  • Big balers are increasing.
  • Small-acreage farms are likely to have a higher percentage of bale grass silage, especially in farms run by a part-time farmer.
  • Losses in bulk storage are 25% and in bale silage 5%.
  • There is a trend towards organic products.
  • The area of full organic land has more than doubled, from 103,000 to 240,000 hectares.
  • The forage feed market for horses is growing.

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