Farmers trying to rebuild forage stocks are being cautioned against cutting grass too low in an attempt to boost silage yields, with warnings the practice could reduce production over the rest of the year.
Volac technical business manager Ken Stroud said he has seen an increase in low cutting heights on farms, as growers respond to concerns over forage availability following last year’s drought.
However, he warned that taking too much grass off can damage regrowth and leave farms worse off.
“I’ve seen many fields that have been shaved at first cut, but this strategy could be achieving the opposite across the season,” he said adding that excessively low cutting heights can delay regrowth by more than a week.
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“On farms aiming for four cuts of silage, scalping grass at each cut could mean a month of lost growth or 5-6t/acre across a season. At 6t/acre, that’s 600 tonnes lost across 100 acres of grass,” he said.
The advice comes as many dairy units continue to feel the effects of poor forage production during 2025. Findings from Volac’s UK Grass Silage Survey showed drought conditions severely reduced silage output on many farms.
Of the 140 farmers surveyed, one-fifth reported silage production dropping by up to 25%, while almost another fifth saw yields fall 25-50%. One in 10 respondents said they lost more than half of their usual crop.
Stroud said the pressure of tighter milk margins and rising costs means producing high-quality forage has never been more important.
“When milk price drops, that’s when it’s imperative to use a proven additive to squeeze as much milk out as possible,” he said.
The survey found nearly two-thirds of respondents hoped to increase milk production from forage this year.
To protect future yields, growers are being advised to avoid cutting below 5cm, particularly as temperatures rise heading into summer.
“This is even more important as we head into hotter months. You’re really asking for trouble if you scalp grass in June.”
He also stressed the importance of maintaining forage quality rather than chasing extra bulk at each cut. And while fuel and machinery costs remain high, reducing the number of cuts can be a false economy if silage quality suffers as a result.
Stroud added that alternative feeds such as straw, maize or wholecrop can help balance rations later in the year, allowing growers to focus on harvesting leafy, digestible grass at the correct stage. He also highlighted the role silage additives can play in reducing dry matter (DM) losses and improving feed value.
“Trial work has found that using Ecosyl on grass silage roughly halves DM losses and delivers silage of higher metabolisable energy and higher true protein. That equals more milk in the tank.”
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