‘Super’ clamp and big bale samples

July 9, 2010 | By Barry Alston

LAST summer might have been poor - but according to the judges, the winners of the all-Wales clamp and big bale silage competitions – who will be receiving their awards at the Royal Welsh – made some “super” samples.

Taking the top clamp trophy is Dyfed Griffiths, of Plas Newydd, Llwyndyrus, Pwllheli, and a member of the South Caernarfon Grassland Society.

He farms 150 acres of grassland and rents a further 50 acres of silage ground and rough grazing, plus 47 acres of maize ground for his 215 Holstein and Jersey milkers. His first cut, taken on May 10, had a DM of 30.5 per cent, D-value was 72, ME 11.6, and CP 15.5.

Average yield

The Holsteins have an average yield of 9,500 litres and the Jerseys 6,000 litres, with a stocking rate of 3.2 cows per ha.

Runner-up in the competition is G.W. Watkin, of Henllys, Dolybont, Borth, Ceredigion, and a member of the Aberystwyth Grassland Society.

His silage analysis showed a DM of 28 per cent, CP 14.3, ME 10.7 and D-value 67.

Other finalists were: J. Wilkinson, Dyffryn, Meifod, Powys (Powys Grassland Society); Wyn Evans, Trefynys Farm, Peniel, Carmarthen (Carmarthenshire Grassland Society); and I. Lewis, Lodge Farm, Hensol Road, Miskin, Pontyclun (Glamorgan Grassland Society).

BIG BALE SILAGE COMPETITION

WINNERS of the big bale silage competition are R. and L. Anthony, Cae Pentre, Tythegston Farm, Tythegston, Bridgend, and members of the Glamorgan Grassland Society.

They farm 1,964 acres, with virtually all the forage being produced and sold as an alternative enterprise for a variety of stock, ranging from dairy cattle to sheep and horses.

The judged silage had been made for sheep and the analysis was: DM 62.9 per cent, D-value 72, ME 11.5, CP 17.5 and pH 6.5, with virtually no fermentation acids present.

Competition runner-up is Richard Wyn Owen, Geirn Carmel, Llanerchymedd, Anglesey, and an Anglesey Grassland Society member.

The analysis showed a DM of 75.5 per cent, D-value 77, ME 12.3, CP 15.7 and pH 6.5.

The other finalists were M. Foulkes, Maesteg, Four Crosses, Llanymynech, Powys. (Powys Grassland Society); H.T. Jones, Bryn Farm, Ferwig, Cardigan. (Cardigan and District Grassland Society); and R. Jones, Trenichol Farm, Llandeloy, Haverfordwest. (North Pembrokeshire Grassland Society).

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Also in: Royal Welsh Show 2010 preview

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