Maize silage playing its part – Supporting feed quality

Maize silage is increasing in popularity, with many first time growers taking up the challenge with Notman Pasture Seeds in investing in this high quality home grown ration successfully.

While it can yield high tonnages, it’s maize silage feed quality—not bulk—that is popular among dairy farmers in driving rumen function and milk production. Growing bigh-quality maize silage offers starch and digestible fibre, supporting higher intake and energy availability.

Getting the balance right – integrating in your feed system

A cow’s rumen is central to feed conversion and milk production. When it’s running well, cows make the most of their diet and stay in good condition. But if rumen function slips—due to poor-quality feed or acidosis—intake drops, and so does production. That’s why supporting a stable, well-fed rumen is one of the most effective ways to keep cows productive and healthy.

Notman Pasture Seeds advocate for a systems-based approach to a balanced diet —using maize silage not in isolation, but as a key part of a well-structured ration that aligns with your pasture production and herd’s feed supplements.

We know growing maize silage provides a your farm with consistent, energy-rich source of fermentable carbohydrates, mainly starch, which supports rumen function and milk production. When well-made, it improves nutrient absorption, body condition, and rumen stability.

It’s important to get the balance right. Maize silage is relatively low in protein and minerals. So to fully support cow health and production, it needs to be balanced with protein-rich feeds and mineral supplementation.

In further detail, fresh pasture is naturally high in unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. In our pasture dominated systems, cows typically experience faster rumen passage rates, meaning more of these beneficial fats can bypass the rumen and be absorbed directly in the small intestine. These omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties, supporting better immune function, fertility, and overall cow health.

In contrast, maize silage tends to have a higher proportion of omega-6 fatty acids. While vital for energy, omega-6 fats can promote more inflammatory responses if not balanced carefully within the diet. Too much maize, the rumen passage slows, more fats are fully hydrogenated, leading to a greater absorption of saturated fats.

That’s why we recommend a balanced approach: maize silage as a high-energy cornerstone feed, alongside fresh pasture or targeted supplements to maintain a healthy balance of fats in the cow’s diet. By doing so, farmers can optimise both production performance and cow health outcomes, particularly in supporting fertility and transition cow resilience.

Precision planning maize crops with Notman Pasture Seeds

Growing maize is about precision — getting the timing, inputs, and decisions right at every stage to maximise crop quality and feed value.

At Notman Pasture Seeds, we help farmers plan and grow high-quality maize silage by combining long-term practical advice, local knowledge, and a precision agriculture focus. Every farm is different, so we tailor programs around available inputs like effluent, irrigation, and spring conditions, while planning how maize fits into your wider forage system.

Our team can be on farm for critical moments in the crop to help give the best advice necessary.

Our support covers:

  • Pre-season planning, preparation and sowing timing
  • Starter fertiliser and in-crop nutrition
  • Variety selection to match season length and silage goals
  • Linking with planting and harvest contractors
  • Early weed control and pest management
  • Harvest timing and silage storage practices
  • Inoculant – fibre digestibility, rapid feed-out

Planning extends beyond the maize crop itself — we work alongside farmers to plan winter pasture – making sure you make the most of ryegrass pasture for grazing or harvest between maize crops.

Locally, our action plans are led by Peter Notman, Adam Fisher, and Jason Hibbs in Gippsland, and Andrew Allsop and Jonathan Town in South West Victoria. By getting the full system right, we help set up maize as a valuable, high-quality part of your overall feed program.

Feel free to reach out if you are growing maize for the first time, and we can help you anyway possible.

Gippsland
Peter Notman 0418 512 035
Adam Fisher 0437 512 015

South-West Victoria
Andrew Allsop 0408 439 795
Jonathan Town 0409 118 663

Practical Feed-Out and Certainty in Supply

Once harvested and stacked, maize silage offers a practical, reliable feed-out option for dairy systems. It stores well and is easy to ration. Unlike some alternative forages that may be hard to source or vary in quality, maize silage gives you more control — both in how it’s fed and how it fits into the overall ration.

With tight supplies and rising costs of high-quality supplements like vetch, having maize silage on hand reduces exposure to volatile feed markets. It means less reliance on chasing limited, expensive alternatives during a tough season. Farmers growing their own maize have more certainty in feed availability and cost per tonne of dry matter — a major advantage when planning ahead.

By securing feed on-farm, you’re not only locking in quality, but also reducing risk and bringing more stability to your feed system.

Optimising Dairy Herd Performance with High-Quality Maize Silage

Summary

  • Maize silage benefits
  • Feed quality focus
  • Balanced diet intergration
  • Fatty Acid Profile Consideration
  • Precision planning for crop optimisation
  • Tailored and practical support from Notman Pasture Seeds
  • Leverage our maize experience
  • Practical feed out and certainty of supply