Cultivation

Silage and Haylage — Dactylis glomerata

Dactylis glomerata L.

Dactylis glomerata is an efficient crop for haylage production, requiring harvesting before the heading stage to ensure high protein content. Optimal harvesting technology includes moisture control at 53–55% and a mass baling density of 290–330 kg/m³.

In the reference 20 varieties crop Cocksfoot, where this is mentioned in the description.

To obtain feed with high nutritional value exceeding 14% crude protein, Dactylis glomerata must be mowed in early development stages, no later than the onset of heading. The crop is characterized by high regrowth capacity, allowing for up to four cuts per season, which makes it promising for a multi-cut conveyor system in haylage production.

When ensiling Dactylis glomerata, moisture control is critical. When packing freshly mowed mass with a moisture content above 77%, significant nutrient losses occur due to effluent runoff. The use of biological preservatives during harvesting helps reduce the intensity of proteolytic processes in the biomass.

When using gas preservation for Dactylis glomerata haylage, experimentally validated parameters of 53–55% moisture and 290–330 kg/m³ baling density have been established. Strict adherence to the mowing stage and moisture parameters during packing is the determining factor for minimizing losses and ensuring the quality of the final feed.

General information about the subject — on the page Silage and haylage.

Sources6

Varieties of Cocksfoot mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.