What makes a silage baler?
A “silage baler” is exactly what it sounds like – a specially equipped baler built to handle the demanding job of making heavy, high-moisture crops into high-density bales of hay that can easily be wrapped for the best possible storage and fermentation.
When can you make silage bales?
Bale the crop as soon as it drops from 80 per cent moisture (the usual moisture content of a standing crop) to 50 or 55 per cent. This will happen very quickly, especially in warm weather. Moisture for good quality silage should come from the plant – and not from dew or rain.
How long does it take for silage bales to ferment?
From the animal’s point of view, there are no ill effects of eating silage at any stage between grass to being fully fermented silage. It takes roughly three weeks for over 90% of grass to be fermented after harvesting.
How many kg is a bale of silage?
200-240kg
The average weight of the bale is 200-240kg DM. One bale would give 50 cows 4kg DM/cow approx. Weigh your bale to get an estimate of the weight. Bales can be fed in a ring feeder in the collecting yard or in the yard as cows leave the parlour.
What is the difference between a silage baler and hay baler?
Regular balers will not hold up long doing baleage even if the baler will bale a good tight bale. Silage balers have heavier built bearings and chains for longer bale life of baler. Knives are good to have and when you have long stem crop knives will allow baler to make better bale.
What moisture should you bale silage?
50-60%
Considering all factors, the optimum whole-plant moisture for baled silage is 50-60%. Baling at the proper moisture content is a key to success in producing baleage. Forage containing less than 40% or more than 65% moisture should not be baled for silage in order to avoid excessive molding or spoilage.
How long do silage bales last?
Storage life will depend on the type of plastic used. Stretchwrap plastic will give a storage life of 12 months, while plastic sheet can last for 2-3 years. Unwrapped round and square bales can be stored in pits or hillside bunkers and covered with plastic sheeting.
How long can silage bales sit before wrapping?
Producers have about 24 hours to wrap bales in order to get good fermentation and a highly digestible end product; however, delays beyond 24 hours will result in incremental declines in silage quality.
How long will silage last?
Personally, I have seen silage keep well for three years if it’s maintained in excellent condition. With an extended ensiling period, you’ll want to have all the components of quality silage management in place. This means correctly harvesting, filling, packing and storing the forage.
How long will silage bales keep?
In general, forages baled at 40-60% moisture will maintain feed value for about 12 months as long as the integrity of the plastic is maintained. However, even where the forage was baled at the appropriate moisture level and the plastic has minimal holes, it is good practice to feed baleage bales within 9 months.
Is silage cheaper than hay?
Today, silage is much more economical than most hay, and it may be possible to feed more silage. “Most large feedyards will feed 10% to 15% silage which works well. It’s an excellent roughage source and is still more economical than using alfalfa hay or other hays.
Can you bale dry hay with a silage baler?
Any of the silage balers will also roll dry hay. The big difference in silage balers is the pickup. They are made heavier and with an extra bar in the pickup. The teeth are larger in diameter also.