In November 2024, Silostop's Global Technical Manager, Will Wilson, visited Japan to meet with our distributors from Lallemand Japan. Lallemand Japan specialises in supplying silage inoculants to the Japanese dairy industry.
The trip was expertly organised by Akira Toyota from Lallemand, and throughout the week, Will gained valuable insights into the Japanese dairy industry and silage-making practices.
Background
The Japanese dairy industry comprises around 13,000 farmers and 1.4 million cows (compared to 7,000 farms and 1.84 million cows in the UK). With milk production efficiency ranked third globally (after South Korea and the US), Japan’s dairy farms are productive but face significant challenges.
The average herd size is about 100 cows, but consolidation is occurring rapidly due to demographic pressures and economic constraints. As with many countries, labor shortages are pushing farmers to either expand their operations or exit the industry.
While per capita milk consumption in Japan is low—only a third of the typical Western diet—the large population of 124.5 million (compared to the UK’s 68 million) means there is still substantial overall demand. Most milk products consumed in Japan are in the form of ice cream or sweetened milk-based beverages.
Japanese milk prices are approximately 70p per liter, significantly higher than the UK’s 43p per liter.
The Visit
Will visited Nakashibetsu, an area with a high density of dairy cattle. Staying in the heart of the town, he traveled to surrounding farms, veterinary centers, and TMR (Total Mixed Ration) centers. Over the course of the trip, he delivered 12 presentations to audiences averaging 20 farmers and TMR center operators.
TMR Centers
TMR centers are central hubs owned collectively by 3–12 farmers. They handle all silage storage and preparation, providing customised rations for each farmer’s cows daily. These rations are meticulously balanced, combining silage, grains, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
In some cases, TMR centers manage all aspects of forage production, including spreading slurry, spraying, harvesting, and more. This model allows farmers to focus entirely on managing their cows, delegating crop responsibilities to the TMR center.
Covering Silage Clamps
The silage clamps observed in Japan generally followed a similar setup: tall sidewall sheets tucked over the silage, covered by two or three layers of PE plastic, a layer of “blue sheet” (a thin, Anti-UV-like material), and topped with tire sidewalls.
When emptying the clamps, all plastic layers, including the blue sheets, are discarded to save time and simplify operations during Japan’s harsh winters, with temperatures dropping below -5°C from December to April.
This reliance on multiple layers of PE plastic, while effective for preservation, results in significant plastic waste.
How Silostop could help
Japanese farmers put incredible effort into producing high-quality silage despite a challenging climate. However, their reliance on multiple layers of traditional plastic sheets is not only labor-intensive but also costly and wasteful.
Silostop products, such as Silostop Orange and Anti-UV covers, could simplify their operations significantly. By using these High Oxygen Barrier solutions, farmers could:
- Reduce Plastic Waste: Silostop products eliminate the need for multiple PE layers, minimising waste and supporting environmental sustainability.
- Enhance Efficiency: Silostop Orange is easier to handle and apply, cutting down on labor time and effort during harsh winters.
- Improve Silage Quality: High Oxygen Barrier films preserve dry matter more effectively, reducing losses and ensuring optimal feed quality.
- Extend Sheet Longevity: Anti-UV covers are durable and can often be reused, reducing the frequency of replacements and long-term costs.
Adopting Silostop solutions would align with Japanese farmers’ logical, detail-oriented approach to silage-making, while simplifying operations and enhancing sustainability.
Conclusion
Japan’s dairy farmers demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and make logical choices to maximise silage quality. The TMR center model is a standout system that could be adopted more widely in other regions.
However, the heavy reliance on traditional plastic sheets presents an opportunity for improvement. By transitioning to Silostop products, Japanese farmers could enjoy more sustainable, efficient, and streamlined silage-making operations.
Japan is a fascinating country, and Lallemand Japan was a fantastic host.
