Cutting pasture for silage can be effective in reducing viable seed production, especially on early maturing weeds such as silver grass (Vulpia spp.). The process of ensiling fodder creates acetic and lactic acid, two products that disrupt viable seed formation (Blackshaw and Rode 1991).
NSW Department of Primary Industries research found silage reduced silver grass regeneration the following year by approximately 80% (Michalk and Dowling 1996) and barley grass was reduced by 49% in early cut silage (8 October), in comparison to a grazing-only treatment (Piltz et al. 2019). Silage production can also encourage sub-clover production as a result of getting more light to the plant while seed set is underway (Figure 1) (Piltz et al. 2019 & Bowcher 2006).