When the clamp is sealed and the feeding begins, it’s easy to assume the hard work is done. But that silage you’ve carefully harvested, packed and covered is only as valuable as the nutrition it delivers. And the only way to know precisely what you’re feeding your cows is to test it.
Silage analysis isn’t just for nutritionists or those chasing record yields. It’s a practical tool for any dairy farmer who wants to improve performance, manage costs, and keep animals healthy over winter.
Silage changes year to year
Even if you cut at the same stage, use the same contractor, and harvest in the same weather window, this year’s silage is likely different from last year’s. Dry matter, energy levels, protein content, and fibre values all shift depending on conditions during growth and harvest.
Without testing, you’re guessing. You could be underfeeding energy without realising, leading to a drop in milk yield. Or overfeeding protein and wasting money. Worse still, imbalances in minerals or sugars can cause acidosis, poor fertility, or health issues that knock the herd off track for months.
A quick forage test gives you accurate numbers on which to base your ration. It’s the difference between feeding by feel and feeding by fact. 
Small changes can deliver significant savings
Every tonne of silage you feed represents time, fuel, fertiliser, and land, so it makes sense to get the most out of it.
Once you have a silage analysis, you can work with your nutritionist to fine-tune your diet. Maybe you should cut back on expensive concentrates or increase digestible fibre, switch to a buffer feed, or adjust how much maize you’re using.
Even a slight improvement in feed efficiency adds up across the whole herd. Better forage use means more litres from homegrown feed and less spent on bought-in feeds.
It also helps you spot problems early. If a clamp isn’t fermenting properly or dry matter losses are higher than expected, a test can highlight them before they start affecting performance.
Don’t wait until the cows tell you
Some farmers wait until milk yield or intake drops before looking at the silage. But by then, the damage has already been done. Cows don’t always show obvious signs when they’re not getting the necessary balance. Subtle issues like inconsistent dung, rising cell counts, or slower heats are often linked to nutrition.
Testing silage now helps prevent those knock-on effects. It lets you be proactive, not reactive. If you’re feeding from multiple clamps or switching mid-season, test each one. Conditions and quality vary even within the same farm.
It’s quick, easy and affordable
Most silage tests cost less than a tonne of concentrate. You can send samples to a local lab or use on-farm kits that give instant results. Take a representative sample from across the face of the clamp, bag it up, and send it off chilled.
If you’re unsure how to take a sample properly, ask your feed rep or nutritionist. They’ll often do it for you or help interpret the results once they come back. 
Use it to plan ahead
Testing isn’t just about fixing this year’s diet. It also helps plan for next year.
If your silage is consistently low in energy, maybe it’s time to tweak the cutting date or variety. If you’re losing dry matter in the top layers, maybe it’s time to look at how you’re sealing the clamp.
Products like Silostop Max can dramatically reduce oxygen ingress and spoilage losses. They help lock in feed quality from the moment the clamp is sealed. And by testing now, you can measure the difference they’ve made.
One small step for significant winter results
It’s tempting to skip the silage test, especially when the day is already full and the cows seem fine. But taking 10 minutes now can save headaches later.
A simple test can unlock more from your forage, reduce your reliance on expensive feed, and give your cows the balanced nutrition they need to thrive through the cold months.
The feed’s in the clamp. Make sure it’s doing the job it should.
