Summer is one of the busiest times of the farming calendar, with silage and straw harvests playing a vital role in the year ahead. While warm weather creates ideal harvesting conditions, prolonged heat and unpredictable summer storms can quickly affect forage quality and increase losses if crops aren’t properly protected.
Protecting Your Silage
Good-quality silage starts with harvesting at the right moisture level and sealing the clamp quickly. In hot weather, grass can dry rapidly, making compaction more difficult and allowing oxygen to become trapped. This can lead to heating, mould, and reduced feed quality.
Using quality silage sheets, oxygen barrier films, side sheets, and secure weighting systems helps create an airtight seal, preserving valuable nutrients and reducing spoilage throughout storage.
Managing Silage in Warm Weather
Summer heat can also affect silage once the clamp is opened. Higher temperatures increase the risk of aerobic spoilage as the exposed face warms up.
To minimise losses:
- Keep the clamp face clean and smooth.
- Remove silage evenly.
- Reseal exposed areas where possible.
- Use reliable clamp protection products to reduce air penetration.
Protecting Straw After Harvest
Even after a dry harvest, straw can be damaged by sudden rain or high humidity. Covering stacked bales with durable, weather-resistant straw covers helps prevent moisture damage, mould, and unnecessary waste while maintaining bedding and feed quality.
Be Prepared Before Harvest
Harvest windows are often short, so having essential supplies ready can save valuable time. Consider stocking up on:
- Silage sheets and oxygen barrier film
- Side sheets and silage weights
- Bale wrap and net wrap
- Heavy-duty straw covers
- Repair tape for quick fixes
Protect Your Investment
Silage and straw represent a significant investment in time, labour, and resources. Using quality protection products helps reduce waste, preserve forage quality, and maximise the value of every harvest.
Being prepared before the season starts means you can make the most of every opportunity—and protect your crop long after it’s been harvested.
