Finland

Silage is mostly produced along the western coastal belt of Finland, the Gulf of Bothnia, in an area largely populated by the Swedish speaking minority. Although the summers are pleasantly warm, the growing season is very short and the window of opportunity for silage making is very narrow.

The two main storage systems used are tower silos and wrapped bale silage.

Two cuts as standard

All dairy farms in Finland make silage with two cuts. Farmers will take two or three cuts in the south but only one or two in Lapland in the north. The first cut represents around 60 – 70% of the total. The early pre mid-summer cuts are often stored as wrapped bales.

No contracting

There are virtually no contractors carrying out silage production work. It is done by farmers, but in some places they form machinery rings, which are groups of neighbouring farmers who cooperate in the purchase and use of equipment.

Six layers of white film

Bales are usually wrapped in six layers of white film, although pale green is also used. Most farmers wrap with six layers, although it is known that some will risk only four. The DM content is normally between 35 – 40%, depending on the season and conditions for wilting.

Move towards no-additive silage

Finland has an official approval scheme for additives and the general recommendation of agricultural advisors is that additives should be used due to the low sugar concentration of most silage crops. For many years more than 80% of silage was treated with strong acids. Recently the use of biological additives has increased slowly. The biggest increase over the last few years has however been in no-additive silage.

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