Cut those feed costs
Cut those feed costs
PRODUCING whole-crop cereals on IACS registered land and claiming arable aid payments can cut feed costs compared with grass silage by as much as 0.4p/litre.
Harper Adams researcher Liam Sinclair said that analysis of costs for a 32% DM, low starch crop and a 40% DM, high starch crop illustrated the benefit of a later harvest to boost yields. This benefit was improved further with the ability to claim area aid payments of £266.87/ha (£108.04/acre) on the whole-crop which is unavailable for grass (see table).
Another advantage of whole-crop is less risk of aerobic spoilage in the clamp compared with grass silage. However, despite the higher DM whole-crop being cheaper to grow it carries a risk of being less aerobically stable than lower DM whole-crop, he warned.
Table please. Whole-crop growing costs £/ha (1996)
Grass silage (four cuts) Whole-crop wheat (low starch) Whole-crop wheat (high starch)
Seed 18.00 68.18 68.18
Establishment 30.00 56.41 56.41
Fertiliser 226.47 80.49 80.49
Slurry/FYM 10.00 – –
Sprays 3.92 176.03 176.03
Harvesting 281.98 164.79 146.38
Additive 58.90 – –
Storage costs (@£12/t DM) 128.37 145.20 187.26
Rent 125.00 125.00 125.00
Total cost 882.64 815.30 839.75
Area payment/ha – 266.87 266.87
Yield t/ha 10.7 12.1 15.6
Cost £/t DM 82.49 45.32 36.72
Whole-crop growing costs £/ha (1996)
Grass silage Whole-crop wheat Whole-crop wheat
(four cuts) (low starch) (high starch)
Seed 18.00 68.18 68.18
Establishment 30.00 56.41 56.41
Fertiliser 226.47 80.49 80.49
Slurry/FYM 10.00 – –
Sprays 3.92 176.03 176.03
Harvesting 281.98 164.79 146.38
Additive 58.90 – –
Storage costs
(@£12/t DM) 128.37 145.20 187.26
Rent 125.00 125.00 125.00
Total cost 882.64 815.30 839.75
Area payment/ha – 266.87 266.87
Yield t/ha 10.7 12.1 15.6
Cost £/t DM 82.49 45.32 36.72