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To contact one of our “Forage for Profit” team, call the Seed Office on 01769 576232
or Graham Ragg on 07798 583667 or email info@molevalleyfarmers.com.

Maize for beef

Maize silage has shown its potential to improve production and economics for beef production, according to trial work carried out at CEDAR (Reading University). Groups of Simmental x Hereford Friesian bulls, heifers and steers were compared over distinct rearing (100 – 425kg) and finishing (425kg – slaughter) phases. The trial concluded that diets favouring maize replacing grass silage were more cost effective in both growing and finishing phases. Forage maize can produce consistent quality feed for beef. The CEDAR trials and practical experience on farm are showing significant cost savings per kg of live weight gain. In areas where maize can be grown successfully it could take an increasing role in beef diets with the right advice.

Benefits of using maize silage over grass silage for beef finishing CEDAR (Reading University)

  • Linear increase in dry matter intake
  • Linear improvement in killing out %
  • Carcase weight increase 1.5% (8kgs)
  • 31 days shorter finishing period
  • Cost per kg of liveweight gain was 34p/kg lower
  • Practical benefit of firmer dung on maize diets, help to save straw bedding

For a copy of our guide on Maize, including growing, preserving and feeding, call your local Farm Sales Co-ordinator.
 

 


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