Better silage starts with the right tools

For Gippsland farmers, producing high-quality silage is one of the most important jobs of the season.

Whether it's supporting a high-performing dairy herd or ensuring reliable feed reserves for beef operations, every decision made during harvest has a direct impact on feed quality, animal performance and profitability.

While growing a quality crop is essential, protecting that feed value through harvest is equally important. Tight weather windows, varying terrain and labour pressures mean every pass across the paddock needs to count.

That's why more contractors and farmers are looking for machinery that works as an integrated system, delivering clean cuts, efficient crop flow and consistent results from paddock to pit.

CLAAS has built its global reputation on forage harvesting, developing machinery that makes every stage of silage production simpler, faster and more precise.

Starting with the perfect cut

High-quality silage begins with mowing. A clean, even cut helps maximise regrowth while reducing soil contamination that can affect fermentation and feed quality.

CLAAS DISCO mowers have earned a reputation for delivering exceptional cutting performance at high working speeds. At the heart of every DISCO mower is the innovative MAX CUT mower bed, featuring a wave-shaped design that positions the mowing discs further forward to maximise overlap and produce a consistently clean cut.

Combined with ACTIVE FLOAT hydraulic suspension, DISCO mowers accurately follow ground contours across Gippsland's rolling hills and undulating paddocks. Maintaining the correct cutting height helps protect valuable pasture while minimising dirt and ash entering the windrow.

The result is cleaner forage and a stronger foundation for quality silage.

Protecting forage quality

Once the crop is cut, timing becomes critical. Every hour counts as farmers work to achieve the ideal dry matter before harvest.

CLAAS VOLTO tedders use MAX SPREAD technology to spread forage evenly across the paddock, promoting faster and more consistent wilting. Even drying helps reduce variability across the crop and allows harvesting to begin sooner when weather opportunities arise.

When the crop reaches the right moisture level, CLAAS LINER rakes gently gather the forage into uniform windrows ready for harvesting.

Designed with 3D ground contour following and specialised rotor undercarriages, LINER rakes minimise soil contamination while maintaining the crop's nutritional value. Their gentle handling protects valuable leaves, while producing even windrows that improve forage harvester performance and throughput.

Setting the benchmark in forage harvesting

Few machines have influenced forage harvesting like the CLAAS JAGUAR.
Since introducing its first forage harvester in 1973, CLAAS has produced more than 46,000 JAGUAR machines worldwide, establishing itself as the global leader in self-propelled forage harvesters.

Today, the JAGUAR remains the benchmark for performance, reliability and chopping quality.

Flexible knife configurations allow operators to match chop length to different feeding programs, while advanced technologies help maintain consistent crop quality throughout changing harvest conditions.

Optional systems including CEMOS AUTO Performance, AUTO FILL, automatic chop length adjustment and the onboard NIR sensor help operators optimise machine performance, monitor crop characteristics and reduce operator workload throughout long harvest days.

For maize silage producers, optional SHREDLAGE processing technology provides additional feed value by intensively processing both kernels and stalk material. The increased fibre surface area improves digestibility and has been shown to support higher milk production in dairy herds.

The JAGUAR range includes the high-capacity 900 Series, delivering up to 925 horsepower for demanding contractor operations, alongside the versatile 800 Series, offering outstanding comfort, control and performance for a wide range of harvesting applications.

Better silage from paddock to pit

Harvest doesn't finish once the forage leaves the harvester.

Effective silage management relies on rapid transport, efficient pit filling and thorough compaction to remove oxygen and create the conditions needed for successful fermentation.

CLAAS TORION wheel loaders are designed to handle these demanding tasks efficiently. Their powerful six-cylinder engines, infinitely variable VARIPOWER transmission and SMART LOADING assistance system help operators move, spread and compact material quickly while maintaining excellent control.

Good pit management helps reduce dry matter losses and preserves the nutritional value captured during harvest.

Supporting every stage of the season

Modern silage production is about more than individual machines. It's about having equipment that works together efficiently to reduce losses, improve productivity and make the most of every weather opportunity.

From mowing and tedding through to raking, harvesting and pit management, the CLAAS forage range has been developed as a complete system, giving Gippsland farmers confidence throughout the entire silage-making process.

Backed by the local support of CLAAS Harvest Centre and Landpower, customers also have access to experienced product specialists, parts availability and service support throughout the season.

When every tonne of quality forage counts, investing in machinery that consistently delivers clean forage, efficient harvesting and reliable performance can make a significant difference to both feed quality and farm profitability.

Please contact Claas Harvest Gippsland on 5622 4400 or Claas Harvest Centre South Gippsland 5662 2299 for further information.