Following one of the wettest winters in recent years, dairy farmers across the UK are facing a critical decision about how to manage heavy grass covers in the run-up to silaging season. 

 Persistent rainfall has limited field access on many farms, while relatively mild soil temperatures have allowed grass growth to continue through the winter months. The result heading into spring is grass leys with lots of bulk, but not necessarily the quality needed to drive high milk from forage yields.

 According to Mel Digger, ForFarmers Forage Product Manager, how these grass covers are managed over the next few weeks will be pivotal.

 "We've had a very wet end to 2025 and over the winter, but soil temperatures have remained relatively mild," Mel explains. "As a result, grass hasn't stopped and this means a lot of dairy farmers are looking at heavier covers, but the quality of that grass will not be where we need it to be for first cut.

 "Attention now turns to how best to reset swards ahead of the main silage season."

Consider a pre-first cut

 Where ground conditions allow, taking a light pre-first cut ahead of the main first cut may prove a valuable strategy.

 "If possible, taking a pre-first cut could be one of the best decisions you make this spring," Mel says. "The current grass is likely to be stemmier and lower in quality and by removing that bulk, you reset the sward and allow fresh, leafy regrowth to come through for your true first cut." 

Although some farms may still struggle to travel due to wet ground, for those that can take a pre-cut, the longer-term gains outweigh the short-term yield sacrifice.

 "Farmers might sacrifice a bit of yield from their first cut, but what they'll gain is a significantly higher quality silage, with higher digestibility, better energy, and ultimately more milk from forage," Mel explains.  

For some producers, this extra cut could be extremely useful in bridging a forage gap and helping extend remaining clamp supplies. If this grass quality is variable, preserving its feed value is critical.

 "Inoculants don't turn poor grass into perfect silage," concludes Mel. "But they absolutely help preserve what feed value is there. 

 "We recommend using inoculants on all grass silage. Research also shows that silage inoculants can help increase milk yield by up to 1.5 litres per cow per day when used on good quality grass."