Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Twitter LinkedIn
    • FREE Email Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
    Twitter LinkedIn
    Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    • News
      • Arable & Agronomy
      • Dealership News
      • Environmental Land Management Scheme/Policy
      • Event News
      • Health & Safety
      • Machinery
      • People
      • World News
    • Farm Machinery
      • Amenity & Maintenance
      • Cultivations
      • Drilling
      • Grassland Equipment
      • Harvesting
      • Muck & Slurry
      • Sprayers
      • Telehandlers
      • Tractors
      • Tractor of the Year
      • Tyres & Tracks
      • Whatever happened to?
    • Precision Farming
    • Markets & Policy
    • Profiles
      • National Arable and Grassland Awards
      • Company Profiles
      • Reader Profiles
    • Livestock
      • Beef
      • Dairy
      • Sheep
    • Magazines
      1. May 2025 issue
      2. April 2025 issue
      3. March 2025 issue
      4. 2025 Tyre Developments supplement
      5. February 2025 issue
      6. National Arable and Grassland Awards supplement
      7. January 2025 issue
      8. December 2024 issue
      9. November 2024 issue
      10. October 2024 issue
      11. September 2024 issue
      12. August 2024 Issue
      13. 2024 Drills and Seeds supplement
      14. July 2024 Issue
      15. Cereals Supplement
      16. June 2024 Issue
      17. May 2024 Issue
      18. April 2024 Issue
      19. Tyres and Tracks Supplement
      20. March 2024 Issue
      21. National Arable & Grassland Award – Meet the Finalists
      22. February 2024 Issue
      23. January 2024 Issue
      24. December 2023
      25. Agritechnica Preview Supplement
      26. November 2023
      27. October 2023
      Featured

      May 2025 issue available now

      By Matthew TiltMay 1, 2025
      Recent

      May 2025 issue available now

      May 1, 2025

      April 2025 issue available now

      April 1, 2025

      March 2025 issue available now

      February 28, 2025
    • Events
    • Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Arable & Livestock

    Yara offers advice for maximising second cut silage yields

    Matthew TiltBy Matthew TiltMay 5, 20212 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Grassland_Silage - Reupload - 20210426143450744

    Following lower than average temperatures in April, Yara’s Philip Cosgrave, country grassland agronomist, has offered advice to farmers looking to get the most out of their second cuts.

    Timing

    Mr Cosgrave explained that the most important action you can take for bolstering the second cut silage is swiftly applying nutrients following the first cut.

    “If you were measuring yields by the standards of a normal year – although a ‘normal year’ rarely ever happens – first cut silage may be lower than normal due to the cold spells. That aside, getting nutrients back on the crop quickly needs to take priority, even if your timeframe has been pushed back a bit.

    Philip Cosgrave - Reupload - 20210127145151167
    Philip Cosgrave, country grassland agronomist for Yara

    “Whether it’s a mix of organic manures and mineral fertilisers, it’s important to get something on within the first couple of days. Ideally, all of it should be applied within the first seven to ten days following the first cut.”

    The urgency is to ensure that when applying organic manures, residue on the crop and contamination of the silage is minimised.

    “Essentially, getting in early when there’s the lowest amount of grass means the new growth won’t be contaminated. We would then advise waiting five to seven days before applying mineral fertiliser.”

    Nutrition

    A robust nutrient management programme is vital, according to Mr Cosgrave, who adds that the role of nitrogen and sulphur is well understood. However, he also highlighted the importance of potash, which plays a key role in nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, rate of growth and feed value.

    “Even in a reduced first cut a lot of potash will be removed,” he said. “For the second cut, it’s important to get slurries out to replenish some of that. You could also use an NPKS fertiliser product or both in combination.”

    To illustrate this, Mr Cosgrave cited a trial by Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority for Ireland – which showed that every kg of K2O applied per hectare returned 20 to 30kg of silage.

    Maximising results

    To conclude, Mr Cosgrave said: “Get your nutrients on quickly and ensure potash is reaching the crop. Don’t leave it too late. Even a matter of days can result in yield losses by approximately 8%. It all adds up. Give your second cut the best chance possible.”

    Tweet
    Share
    Share
    Pin
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Previous ArticleOpico to launch new HE-VA roller at Cereals
    Next Article Barenbrug introduces new variety for under-sowing maize
    Matthew Tilt
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

    Machinery editor for Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer. Matt has worked as an agricultural machinery journalist for five years, following time spent in his family’s Worcestershire contracting business. When he’s not driving or writing about the latest farm equipment, he can be found in his local cinema, or with his headphones in, reading a good book.

    Read Similar Stories

    Webinars to launch revised regenagri standards

    June 7, 2024

    Spectacular Simmental showcase at the 2023 English National Show

    July 11, 2023

    Defra relaxes rules to help farmers feed their livestock amid drought

    August 22, 2022
    Most Read Stories

    Kuhn highlights machines available for grant funding

    May 12, 2025

    West Midlands council switches to electric ATVs

    May 12, 2025

    Bunning to showcase spreader range at Royal Highland Show

    May 12, 2025
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer

    The UK's leading agricultural machinery journal

    Twitter LinkedIn
    © 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

    Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms & Conditions

    • Farmers Weekly
    • AA Farmer
    • Poultry News
    • Pig World

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.