Timely and efficient harvesting of maize and cereal silage produces valuable feed for livestock. John Austin Ltd operates high capacity harvesting teams with the latest equipment to produce high quality maize and whole crop silage.

MAIZE SILAGE  John Deere self propelled forage harvesters with 8 - 10 row Kemper heads to efficiently harvest maize, even when harvesting across the planter rows.

Whole plant processors process the stem as well as cracking the kernel. This improves silage digestibility and reduces cow sorting of less palatable pieces.

Pioneer? brand Appli-pro inoculant system enables precise application of Pioneer silage inoculants to further enhance fermentation.

Large trailers (25 - 30 cubic metre) ensure fast efficient transport and are fitted with low ground pressure tyres for soft soil conditions.

Trucks are also available with low ground pressure tyres to aid traction, avoid possible paddock damage and minimise soil compaction. Trucks, or trucks and trailers are available for road transport.

Harvesters and trailers can be fitted with dual wheels for peat soils

MAIZE EARLAGE High energy maize earlage is similar to maize silage however only the cob (ie grain, core and husk cover) is ensiled. Earlage provides alternatives to farmers looking for grain to improve the carbohydrate levels of the ration and is most commonly used in early spring. In addition, earlage minimises the cartage and handling of the more bulky stover component of the plant. We have the equipment and experience harvesting this future feedstuff (commonly referred to as rocket fuel).

WHOLECROP SILAGE Cereal silage (commonly referred to as wholecrop silage) can provide an alternative silage for earlier harvest or at altitude / cooler environments where maize is less well suited. Alternatively, wholecrop silage is an option for some farmers as a winter crop - planted between maize silage or other summer crops. Our Kemper headers and John Deere harvesters also enable effective harvesting of whole crop cereal silage. Whole plant processors, trucks or trailers and stack tractors combine to produce dense, well fermented cereal silage.

STACKING The stack is often the most important part of harvesting and storing silage. Large John Deere tractors (200-300hp) tractors weighing over 12 tonnes are specifically set up with buck rakes or front blades to compact fresh silage for a quick fermentation. Two stack tractors are available as required for each harvester with maize silage to ensure maximum compaction is achieved.

Bulk rolls of silage covers can be supplied to cover and protect your silage feedstuff, providing one piece 12 or 15 metre wide high strength black/white covers. Black-white covers keep light out and reflect heat to preserve your silage. Light weight black/black covers and 18 metre wide black/white covers are available on request.