Denmark

Silage in Denmark is made in bales, clamps, and tower silos — about a third for each method. Tower silos and clamps are the most popular method for storage of maize and grass silage.

Three cuts

Three cuts are regularly taken in May, late June and early August, with a fourth in September if conditions are favourable.

Mainly round bales

Bales produced are usually the large round type, with contractors using the same machinery for straw as well as silage baling. Partially as a result of this, little square bale silage is made.

Six to eight layers, white film

Wrapping is normally done with 25 micron white film. Six layers of wrap are standard for silage if it is to be fed to cattle, but some contractors prefer eight if the silage is for horses.

The high level of mechanisation and use of up-to-date machinery mean that the standard of silage making is high, with bales averaging a dry matter (DM) content of 40 – 45% when destined for cattle and up to 60% DM in silage for horses.

No additives

Additives are not normally used in Denmark and no official approval scheme exists. Agricultural advisors recommend that farmers use additives when the DM content is less than 280g/kg, the crop contains more than 60 – 70% clover or lucerne, or when there is a high risk of contamination by soil and manure.

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