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Silage additives that have been tested successfully according to the DLG regulations are given the DLG quality label. Information on the type of additive, which is included in the label, helps farmers to select the appropriate one for his special silage crop. Economic effects from the use of silage additives are obtained if not only fermentation losses decrease but also the animal performance increase. The use of silage additive for the production of wilted grass silages can be recommended in all ranges of dry matter content (to baout 50) especially for those additives that are able to improve nutritive value and animal performance (DLG label, group IV). Silage additives can only show thier potentials if the complete systems of silage production and feeding is carried out on a high level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The realisation of high yields and quality in silage maize production concerns all measurements from planting uo to harvesting. In order to reduce gernination losses the date of planting should allow a germination period of less than 20 days. Under north east german conditions (similar to Palinenaue station) that is possible from April, 20th onwards. The control of weeds must have taken place before the 3rd maize leave has emerged, if low yield losses are to be obtained. With every new maize leave that emerges after the 2 leave stage the yield losses increase by about 5 When the corn DM has exceeded 60and the cob DM content has exceeded 55respectively the starch and energy content is at a maximum, including the optimum harvesting period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]