Dr. Dennis Hancock Extension Forage Specialist
Crop and Soil Sciences – UGA
Dr. Dennis Hancock Extension Forage Specialist
Crop and Soil Sciences – UGA
Baled SilageBaled Silage
Baled Silage
Storage4-10% loss
Baling2-5% loss
FeedingMinimal loss
FeedingMinimal loss
Wilting2-5% 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 %Msquare 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 %Msquare 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 layers
Storage Treatment Consumption 2 layers 53% 4 layers 84% 6 layers 88% Hay 44%
Alfalfa silage & hay 2, 4, or 6 layers of film
2 layersHay
4 layers6 layers
Baled Silage – An Option for Harvesting High
Quality
Baled Silage – An Option for Harvesting High
Quality
Treatment CP TDN RFQ ADG% % (lbs/hd/d)
Bermuda Hay 16.1 a 62.9 b 116 c 1.56 b
Ryegrass Baleage 16.3 a 65.9 a 174 a 1.94 a
Ryegrass Hay 14.7 b 62.4 c 133 b 1.26 b
LSD0.10 0.22 0.35 3.2 0.341
Resources
Questions?Questions? www.georgiaforages.com1-800-ASK-UGA1
www.georgiaforages.com1-800-ASK-UGA1