The trend of milk producers leaving the industry has increased over recent years as the slowdown of the economy forces milk prices lower. Minimising costs and maximising returns is now more important than ever as the remaining milk producer’s battle to make ends meet. Andrew and Simon Hall, Dairy Farmers of Hale Hall Farm, Preston, Lancashire, believe that improving the quality of silage is an important first step in tackling these issues.

The 320 total stock, 200 dairy head farm sits on 300 acres of land which is used in the production of forage required for the herd. The grass fields are closely monitored for soil condition and a keen eye is kept on grass growth and silage quality. The brothers, who were looking for ways to increase milk production, turned to Spaldings and their 3-Leg Flatlift for grassland management.

“I have worked in the dairy industry for over 30 years and improving operations has remained a varied but ongoing challenge - with the onus on producing more milk from better quality silage” says Andrew. “Last year we invested in a Spaldings 3-Leg Flatlift and spiked packer roller and incorporated this into our silage production system as a way of breaking compaction and encouraging aeration.”

Renowned for its low running cost the Spaldings Flatlift is ideal for grassland as it improves drainage and stimulates grass vigour. The narrow legs offer minimal surface disturbance and prevent unwanted surface clods ensuring the grass remains in optimum condition. To be sure of the Flatlift’s merit, the brothers took a sample of grass from a field where the Flatlift had worked and a sample from a field where it had not. They then had both samples analysed by a professional feed merchant.

“We began this study in 2008 and in the past 4 years we have completely changed the structure of the soil, which in turn has increased the grass quality and yield. Major minerals such as Phosphorus, Sodium, Potassium and Chloride have gone from being too high to the optimum levels required.”

He concludes: “The evidence is clear - the grass that the Flatlift had been used in produced better quality silage, that was rich in nutrients and which didn’t require costly additives and supplements. Not only was the grass of better quality, the Flatlift also produced more grass per acre and easily increased gross margin by 15% and grass growth by 30%. It is easy to see how silage quality really is the difference between profit and loss.”