30/10/2026
🌽🐄 THE KEY TO GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR MAIZE THIS WINTER? GET THE WHOLE RATION RIGHT!
A new-season maize clamp should trigger a review of your ration – not simply a change of forage.
It's not just about maximising starch intake. It's about helping cows utilise the nutrients effectively, maintaining a healthy rumen and turning your home-grown forage into milk.
So, as you move into the winter housing season, here are 7 things to focus on to get the best from your maize:
1. TRANSITION GRADUALLY
Don't rush the change from old to new-season maize.
✅ Allow around 2 weeks to transition.
✅ Start at 1–2kg DM per cow and build up progressively.
Give rumen microbes time to adapt!
2. TEST YOUR MAIZE
Don't assume this year's crop is the same as last year's.
✅ Check dry matter (DM).
✅ Analyse starch content.
✅ Review the full nutritional profile.
Make ration decisions based on analysis, not guesswork.
3. THINK ABOUT STARCH AVAILABILITY
Not all maize starch is available to the cow at the same rate.
Maturity, kernel processing and time in the clamp all influence how quickly starch breaks down.
👉 Starch availability can increase as fermentation progresses.
4. KEEP THE RUMEN BALANCED
Too much rapidly fermentable starch can increase the risk of acidosis.
Make sure the ration provides:
✅ Enough effective fibre.
✅ Appropriate rumen-degradable protein.
✅ A good balance of fermentable energy.
5. WATCH YOUR COWS
The cows will tell you a lot!
- Changes in dung consistency.
- Visible starch or undigested grain in dung.
- Changes in milk production.
These could be signs that starch isn't being utilised efficiently.
6. GET CLAMP MANAGEMENT RIGHT
Good silage management protects feed quality.
✅ Keep the clamp face clean and tight.
✅ Aim to move across the face at least every 5 days.
✅ Minimise exposure to air.
✅ Discard visibly mouldy or deteriorated silage.
Consider testing if mycotoxins are a concern.
7. DON'T FORGET FIBRE
Maize is an excellent energy source, but don't let it displace too much physically effective fibre.
Cows still need fibre for chewing, saliva production and good rumen function.
Have you analysed your new-season maize yet?
Now is the time to make sure your winter ration is working as hard as it can!
