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Baled Silage and Hay Preservatives
Baled Silage and Hay Preservatives
Dennis Hancock, PhD.Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
Dennis Hancock, PhD.Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
The other extreme…The other extreme…
Hay Moisture ProbeHay Moisture Probe
Contacts
Determining MoistureDetermining Moisture
Methods:3. Hay Moisture Testers/Probes2. By feel (if calibrated).1. Microwave moisture test
Losses During StorageLosses During Storage• Even when hay is baled at the target moisture
(15% moisture for round bales; 18% for squares), the forage will go through a “sweat” for 2-3 wks. Moisture is driven off, heat is given off, and DM dec. A 1% decrease in moisture ≈ 1% decrease in DM Moisture tends to equilibrate at 12% during storage
• Even when hay is baled at the target moisture (15% moisture for round bales; 18% for squares), the forage will go through a “sweat” for 2-3 wks. Moisture is driven off, heat is given off, and DM dec. A 1% decrease in moisture ≈ 1% decrease in DM Moisture tends to equilibrate at 12% during storage
20% Moisture 12% Moisture
1000 lbs DM 920 lbs DM
CO2CO2H2O +H2O +
Carbohydrates(sugars)
Carbohydrates(sugars)
O2 + H2OO2 + H2O
AspergillusAspergillusPenicilliumPenicillium
CO2CO2
CO2CO2
CO2CO2
Mold SporesMold Spores
HEATHEAT
Bale Moisture Effects Bale Temp
Bale Moisture Effects Bale Temp
Days
0 10 20 30 4075
100
125
150
Tem
pera
ture
, °F
17% Moisture
25% Moisture
33% Moisture
Small SquaresCoblentz et al., 2000. Crop Sci.
Carbohydrates(sugars)
Carbohydrates(sugars)
O2 + H2OO2 + H2O
AspergillusAspergillusPenicilliumPenicillium
CO2CO2
CO2CO2
CO2CO2
HEATHEAT
CO2CO2Bacterial
DecompositionBacterial
Decomposition
Organic Acids are Corrosive
Organic Acids are Corrosive
Same baler, 2 months later.Same baler, 2 months later.
Hay Preservation Additives
Hay Preservation Additives
• Bacterial/microbial inoculants• Bacterial/microbial inoculants
Those tested have no consistently demonstrable effect. Some have had inconsistent effects (some positive, some no
change).
Unlikely to be effective in Georgia because of humidity issues
Hay Preservation Additives
Hay Preservation Additives
• Organic acids• Buffered acids
• Organic acids• Buffered acids
Prevents heating, but maintains moist environment for microbial activity.
DM losses often offset DM gains.
Beneficial when moisture is 18 – 25%
Baled Silage
StorageStorage4-10% loss4-10% loss
BalingBaling2-5% loss 2-5% loss
FeedingFeedingMinimal lossMinimal loss
FeedingFeedingMinimal lossMinimal loss
WiltingWilting2-5% loss2-5% loss
Fewer Losses Accumulate With
Each Step
End Result: 90% of Original DM
Can be more efficient…
Quality AdvantagesQuality Advantages
•Lowered risk of rain damage
•Less shatter loss
•Higher forage quality1
Lower NDF, ADF, ADL Higher CP Increased digestibility Increased palatability
1 Han, et al. 2005; Hancock and Collins, 2006.
Less dependent on weather
Makes use of some forages that other-wise
wouldn’t work.
Silage & Haylage
SILAGE - Forage that has undergone anaerobic
fermentation
DetailsDetails
Silage Fermentation
Lactic acid bacteriaAcetic acid bacteria
Silage pH
pH 6.0 pH 4.2pH 3.8
1 2 3 4 7 14 20 28
Days after ensilingAcetic acid, like propionic acid in hay preservatives, isan antagonist to yeast/fungal growth. Plus, there isvery little oxygen for the fungus to grow.
Silage pH
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
pH Sorghum-sudan
Alfalfa
Consider: Cost, Labor, Speed, Volume
Bale Wrapper SelectionBale Wrapper Selection
Baled Silage CostsBaled Silage CostsPlastic Cost:
$5.00 - $15.00/ton DM
Wrapper cost:$2.00 - $5.00/ton
DMFuel & Repairs:
$0.50 - $5.00/ton DMLabor:
$0.75 - $2.00/ton DMTotal:
$12 - $25/ton DM
Wrapping System Determines Through-Put
Wrapping System Determines Through-Put
•Cut mid-afternoon on one day, bale & wrap the next day.
•Amount cut = how much can be baled and wrapped the next day.
•Bales should be wrapped w/in 12 hrs of baling.
• Optimize bale sizematch to tractordense bales4’x 5’ bale is most popular
900-1300 lbs, dep. on %M
square edges
• Use plastic twine or netsisal twine degrades plastic
• Optimize bale sizematch to tractordense bales4’x 5’ bale is most popular
900-1300 lbs, dep. on %M
square edges
• Use plastic twine or netsisal twine degrades plastic
Make Good Bales
• Wrap at the storage site reduces handling reduces risk of spoilage
Choose an Appropriate Site for Wrapping
Bale at the Right Moisture
Ideal Range, 50-65% Moisture
Rule of thumb:bale when the forage is no longer wet enough to wring juice out of a
handful.
Rule of thumb:bale when the forage is no longer wet enough to wring juice out of a
handful.
Poor Fermentation
Toxic Potential
(Clostridial, Listeriosis)
70% 40%70% 40%
Moisture
Apply enough plastic but no more.
6-10 layers (+ double on joints)
4-6 layers4-6 layers
Storage Treatment ConsumptionStorage Treatment Consumption 2 layers2 layers 53%53% 4 layers4 layers 84% 84% 6 layers 6 layers 88%88% HayHay 44%44%
Alfalfa silage & hay Alfalfa silage & hay 2, 4, or 6 layers of film2, 4, or 6 layers of film
2 layers2 layersHayHay4 layers4 layers6 layers6 layers
Resources
Questions?Questions? www.georgiaforages.com1-800-ASK-UGA1
www.georgiaforages.com1-800-ASK-UGA1