Managing surplus forage: Producing hay and baled silage Dennis Hancock Extension Forage Specialist UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Dennis Hancock Extension Forage Specialist UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences 2010 Georgia Grazing School

Reasons for surplus forage: Rapid Forage Growth Low Stocking Density Selective Grazing

Do nothing, let it stay  Interference with growth?  Lower forage quality Mow to uniform height  Pre-top (prior to grazing)  Post-top (after grazing)  Dealing with residual Mow and remove  Hay  Baled silage  Nutrient removal Options

Storage 20-45% loss Harvesting 7-15% loss Feeding 10-30% loss Field curing 10-25% loss It’s not unusual to see total losses of 70% or greater LOSS ACCUMULATE WITH EACH STEP

Mechanical Hay30-70% Silage60-85% Green Chop70-95% Efficiencies of Grazing and Mechanized Harvest MethodEfficiency Grazing Continuous Stocking30-40% Slow Rotation (3-4 paddocks)50-60% Moderate Rotation (6-8 paddocks)60-70% Strip Grazing, Daily Rotation70-80%

Hay Production Cut forage to maximize drying time Cut at appropriate height Allow swath to be spread wide to maximize drying rate. Ted the forage morning of next day(s)  Discontinue the use of a tedder when leaf shatter is occurring. (~10 a.m.) Bale at target moisture  < 15% for round bales  < 18% for square bales

Drying Times Vary Days Moisture (%) Poor Drying Conditions Good Drying Conditions

Hay Moisture Problems

Hay Moisture Probe Contacts

Determining Moisture Methods: 3. Hay Moisture Testers/Probes 2. By feel (if calibrated). 1. Microwave moisture test

The True Cost of Storage and Feeding Losses About 3 billion dollars of hay is lost per year from storage and feeding in the U.S. (37.5 million tons)

Storage Losses Source: Forage Crop Pocket Guide

Can I afford to build a barn? Source: Forage Crop Pocket Guide

Elevated Stacks Tarped Stacks Hay Sheds Hoop Structures Other Storage Options $1.50 – 2.50 $2.00 – 3.00 $3.50+

Feeding Losses Method 1 day 7 day ---- % Waste---- Unrolled Ring

Feeding Losses Item % Waste Cone Ring Trailer Cradle Adapted from: Southern Forages (4 th ed.) and Buskirk et al., J. Anim. Sci. 81:

Baled Silage

Storage 5-10% loss Baling 2-5% loss Feeding Minimal loss Feeding Wilting 2-5% loss Fewer Losses Accumulate With Each Step End Result: 90% of Original DM Can be more efficient…

What About Baled Silage?? Advantages:  Minimize harvest loss  Decrease influence of weather  Capture high-quality  Flexible system Disadvantages:  Potential for ‘operator error’  Cost of materials  Added labor  Keeping vermin out Advantages:  Minimize harvest loss  Decrease influence of weather  Capture high-quality  Flexible system Disadvantages:  Potential for ‘operator error’  Cost of materials  Added labor  Keeping vermin out

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 Potential for Spoilage or Toxicosis (Clostridial, Listeriosis) 70% 40% Moisture Bale at the Right Moisture

Bales will squat and be difficult to handle. Plastic will deteriorate over time. Bales will begin to spoil. Bales will squat and be difficult to handle. Plastic will deteriorate over time. Bales will begin to spoil. Feed the Bales w/in 9 Months

Whole silage bales  ring feeder Mixed rations  tub-ground Whole silage bales  ring feeder Mixed rations  tub-ground Feeding Baled Silage

Storage Treatment Consumption 2 layers53% 2 layers53% 4 layers 84% 4 layers 84% 6 layers 88% 6 layers 88% Hay44% Hay44% Baled silage vs. hay 2, 4, or 6 layers of film 2 layers Hay 4 layers 6 layers

Baled Silage – An Option for Harvesting High Quality TreatmentCPTDNRFQADG %(lbs/hd/d) Bermuda Hay16.1 a62.9 b116 c1.56 b Ryegrass Baleage16.3 a65.9 a174 a1.94 a Ryegrass Hay14.7 b62.4 c133 b1.26 b LSD

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