Abstract

The productivity and profitability of the use of maize silage (MS) within pasture-based beef production systems was evaluated using the Farmax Pro® model. Farm systems were simulated based on an intensive one year-old steer production system with two pasture growth patterns (Waikato and Hawkes Bay), three different proportions of the farm in MS production (0%, 5% or 10%) and MS fed either during winter (W) or summer (S). MS cost 13.5 and 16.1 c/kg dry matter (DM) for Waikato and Hawkes Bay respectively. This price included the cost of growing, harvesting, ensiling and feeding. Beef schedule prices were based on $1.80/kg live weight (LW). Feeding MS increased beef production in all scenarios tested by a mean of 36% with values of 427, 581 and 576 kg net meat/ha/year for the no MS, S and W feeding systems respectively. Farm profitability (gross margin per hectare) was increased by feeding MS in W and S, with values of $934 and $754 respectively, compared with the no MS system of $636. MS feeding was still profitable at a schedule price of $1.40/kg LW and at higher MS costs up to 23 c/kg DM. Appropriate use of MS in beef production systems can substantially improve animal performance and farm profitability.

JG, Carracelas, CJ Boom, AJ Litherland, King WMcG, and ID Williams

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 68, Brisbane, Australia, 63-66, 2008