If harvest is not delayed, often times the window of opportunity for optimal drying is reduced, resulting in hay that is baled either too wet or after it has been rained on, again, resulting in reduced quality at the time of feeding. In both of these circumstances, reduced hay quality and palatability will likely lead to increased waste at the feeder, particularly if bales have been stored outside.
Proper implementation of a baleage feeding system can overcome many disadvantages of first-cutting dry hay, including poor nutritional quality, dry matter loss and waste. However, improper baleage production likely will result in a very poor return on investment. Therefore, consider the following practices when it comes to making baleage:
- Moisture: Bales should be 50 to 60 percent (or 40 to 50 percent dry matter).
- Quality: Plant sugar is a requirement for ensiling, so utilizing good quality standing forage is better. Forage that has been rained on after cutting, as well as excessively mature standing forage that has reduced plant sugar, will not optimize the ensiling process. A wise man once said, “You can’t make chicken salad out of chicken poop.”
- Size: Larger bales result in less total plastic needed to store the entire crop. However, given the moisture content, bales can quickly become larger than equipment at many operations can handle.
- Baler: Be sure the baler is capable of making an extremely tight bale. Oxygen is the enemy when it comes to ensiling, and too “loose” of a bale can lead to mold, among other problems. Thus, the tighter the bale the better. Having a baler that is capable of chopping the forage (i.e., “silage special” package) to reduce particle size will help considerably when working with taller, more mature forages.
- In-line versus individual wrapping: Which is better for your operation? Typically, in-line will use less total plastic and thus be more economical purely from a wrapping perspective. However, logistical issues may make individual wrapping a better choice for some operations.
- Baleage versus haylage: Again, which is more appropriate for your operation? If the final product will be close to the feeding area, bagged haylage may be a cheaper, more viable option if you are equipped with an area to properly feed loose forage. However, if ring feeders are the preferred delivery system or if forage will have to be moved a considerable distance to be fed, baleage may be the better option.
For more information on forage harvest considerations and what is best for your operation, consult with the team of experts you have assembled, including your beef extension specialist and nutritionist. FG
Patrick Gunn is an Iowa State University Extension cow-calf specialist, and Joe Sellers is an Iowa State University Extension beef program specialist. This originally appeared in the Iowa State University Growing Beef enewsletter.
