Early indications suggest that this year's first-cut silage could potentially bring an extra litre/cow per day benefit, according to samples taken by Mole Valley Farmers. With the growing trend for multi-cut systems, and the dry spring, first cut silage was particularly early, and analyses of 180 samples has revealed interesting results.

Overall, average analyses are slightly drier (34.82%) than the past couple of years, reflecting a relatively dry and windy spring for many. As might be expected with an earlier cut, digestibility or D values have shown a marked increase on last year, to 70.29% (2024 - 68.7%; 2025 - 67.9%) with an associated increase in energy value to 11.25MJ/ kg dry matter (DM), says Robin Hawkey, senior nutritionist at Mole Valley Farmers. "This is also demonstrated by increased rapidly and totally fermentable carbohydrates."

Crude protein levels, at 14.84%, are also better compared to 2024 (14.4%) and 2025 (14.2%). Rapidly fermentable protein levels are slightly lower, while total fermentable protein content is enhanced. "The rumen fermentable energy/protein balance (Nutriopt fermentable energy protein balance or NFEPB) is slightly reduced due to higher fermentable energy content and lower rapidly fermentable protein," notes Dr Hawkey.

"This could have consequences for rumen synchrony and rationing; farmers should observe how cows respond when feeding new rations, specifically dung and milk urea values. 

"Rumen health may be a challenge if first cut silage alone is fed, due to high fermentable energy levels, slightly elevated acid loading and reduced fibre content," he adds. First cut analyses so far have shown a neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content of 45.31% (2024 - 46.7%; 2025 - 47.7%) with an associated reduction in overall fibre index, which may also pose a challenge to butterfats.

"However, fermentation characteristics look good," says Dr Hawkey. "Lactic acid levels are increased, with reduced overall volatile fatty acids (VFAs), so the vital lactic/VFA ratio of 3.68 is a good improvement (2024 - 3.40; 2025 - 2.92), while pH values are very similar, averaging 4.09."

Results also identified increased glucogenic energy content, which reflects various energy sources that support glucose production in the ruminant. In general, higher glucogenic energy silages perform well. Similarly, the neutral detergent insoluble protein (NDIP) value, which reflects how well dietary protein might be utilised, is also enhanced, at 67.35g/kg DM (2024 - 60.8; 2025 - 59.8).

In all, improved DM content, higher crude protein, glucogenic energy and VFA levels all contribute to a well-rounded beneficial feed value, explains Dr Hawkey. "Our results suggest that first cuts could be capable of contributing an additional yield of one litre/cow per day (assuming 14kg/DM intake) – a significant increase on 2025 results.

"But it is important that producers sample their own silage crops and get detailed nutritional advice to balance the ration and limit potential butterfat losses."

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