What's wrong with grass "going to seed" ?

n1st

I'm making silage soon.

The seed and stalk has appeared on the grass. Advisor mentioned weeks ago not to let the grass "go to seed". I asked why and be said something about the energy going into the root.

What is the issue with cutting silage after the grass has gone to seed?

Are there any benefits?

patsy_mccabe

If you let it go to seed, the COOPS can't sell you seed at €65 a bag. 😀

Danzy

The quality can go out of it and your cattle won't grow as much in the shed.

A fine trade off between quality and quantity.

I think you can still have decent stuff up to this weekend, that said I have planted late heading grass and the sheep had it as bare as the road in mid April.

If you have fine continental cattle they need good stuff at all times.

Lime Tree Farm

The stem toughens to support seed heads.. Plant energy is diverted from roots and leaves into the seeds

James2022

The leaves on the plant also wither and rot leaving you just with stem and seed head. The problem here is the nutritional value is rapidly decreasing so you will need to compensate by buying more meal during housing to ensure the correct daily weight gain of your animals.

Some seed is fine and often unavoidable with first cut silage but always go for quality over quantity and get it cut as soon as you can.