Tedding grass for silage is a crucial step that reaps a host of benefits. Picture this: the sun is shining, and the fields are lush green with the promise of a good harvest. It’s time to ted the grass, and here’s why it matters.
The 9 benefits of tedding grass are:
1. It accelerates the drying process, reducing moisture content and the risk of spoilage.
Tedding, essentially the process of spreading and aerating cut grass to speed up drying, accelerates the moisture evaporation from the forage.
This means that your grass dries quicker and more evenly, reducing the risk of spoilage and ensuring a higher-quality silage.
2. Enhances airflow and sunlight exposure, promoting uniform drying of the forage.
Now, let’s delve into the science behind it. As we ted the grass, we’re increasing its surface area exposed to the air. This enhanced airflow boosts the evaporation of moisture trapped within the forage.
By breaking up the dense clumps of grass, we allow air and sunlight to penetrate deeper into the swath, promoting uniform drying.
3. Prevents grass from becoming compacted, maintaining optimal drying conditions.
But wait, there’s more. Tedding also helps to fluff up the grass, preventing it from becoming compacted.
Compacted grass not only takes longer to dry but also prevents airflow, creating pockets of moisture that can lead to fermentation issues and reduced nutritional value in the silage.
4. Improves nutritional value by preserving essential nutrients vital for livestock health.
Think of tedding as a natural way to harness the elements – sun, air, and time – to our advantage.
By optimising drying conditions, we can harvest our forage at the peak of its nutritional value, preserving essential nutrients vital for livestock health.
5. Optimises harvest timing, ensuring forage is harvested at peak nutritional quality.
And let’s not forget about timing. Tedding at the right moment, typically when the grass is about 30-40% dry matter, maximises its efficiency.
It’s a delicate balance between waiting for the grass to wilt sufficiently and avoiding overexposure that could lead to nutrient loss.
6. Reduces the risk of bad weather damage by speeding up the drying process.
Furthermore, tedding isn’t just about ensuring quality silage; it’s also about saving time and resources.
By speeding up the drying process, we can harvest our forage sooner, reducing the risk of inclement weather ruining our crop and allowing for faster regrowth for subsequent cuts.
7. Promotes faster regrowth for subsequent cuts, increasing overall yield.
By improving airflow and preventing compaction, tedding creates optimal conditions for grass recovery, enhancing its regrowth potential and ultimately boosting overall yield in future harvests.
8. Enhances forage quality, resulting in higher-quality silage for livestock consumption.
Tedding grass for silage enhances forage quality by preserving vital nutrients and preventing spoilage during storage. Through efficient drying, tedding minimises moisture content, reducing the risk of mould and decay.
This ensures that the silage maintains its nutritional integrity, providing a high-quality feed for livestock.
9. Saves time and resources by streamlining the harvesting process and minimising nutrient loss.
By speeding up the drying of the grass through tedding, it minimises the amount of time needed for wilting, this in turn reduces the amount of nutrients lost over time.
The benefits of tedding grass for silage are undeniable. From improved drying and nutrient retention to enhanced forage quality and quicker harvest times, tedding plays a vital role in the success of our farming operations.
The video below shows me using a Lely Lotus tedder and Fiatagri 90-90 to ted our grass for round bale silage in great conditions.
