small scale haylege

bulldog · #1 05/27/13, 12:47 PM

I am most likely spelling that wrong! Does anybody chop wet hay and cover it? If so could you let me know the details? We have at most 4 cows, dairy and their calves. We have a chopper dump wagon and lots of space, but I don't know how wet the hay should be or how to cover it/ with what. Also do we need to cover the ground first or just dump the first load on the dirt? Thanks!

Oakshire_Farm · #2 05/27/13, 01:28 PM

Most farms that I know that make silage either make it in a cement bunker or into bags. I would think you would be best off covering the ground. You want to ferment the grass to make it. If the air gets into it the feed will just rot. Then be uneatable for the animals. I have made it on a small scale but putting lawn clippings into heavy duty garbage bags. The cows LOVED it.

bruce2288 · #3 05/27/13, 03:23 PM

The key is keeping the oxygen out of the pile, That is accomplished by packing the haylage with a tractor as it is added to the pile. Bagging supposedly works well. With small piles the waste is usually too great to justify. Around here 100 ton is usually considered the cut off point. 65% moisture.

springvalley · #4 05/27/13, 03:35 PM

Bruce2288 above has it right on the money, my question is why? does your hay not dry in the field? No baler? I would rather bale hay anyday, unless your having a hard time drying it down enough to bale. > marc

sammyd · #5 05/27/13, 05:33 PM

Lots of space isn't the issue. You wouldn't want the stuff spread all over.
It should be in a neat pile and packed down tightly. Covered and made air tight.
There is a system for smaller guys that uses sheet plastic and an old silo blower.
I have never used it but have seen one set up and I believe someone around here either uses one or was going to.
A alternative would be to pack the stuff tightly in garbage bags and seal those. Kinda like making small baleage. We've done it but only for 1 or 2 animals. And we vacuumed the bags before sealing.

As for proper moisture, around 60-65% is great. Cut today, silage tomorrow.

bulldog · #6 05/27/13, 07:49 PM

Thanks for all the info. We do have a baler and plenty of dry hay. Our usually fat dairy cow was embarrassingly thin this winter despite loads of grain all the hay she could eat and strong dewormers. We wanted to supplement her with something else. We will give the haylege a shot thank you!

sammyd · #7 05/27/13, 08:04 PM

your biggest problem will be using enough to keep the pile fresh and free from mold especially in the warmer months.
But individual servings in bags or even figuring out a way to make and wrap small squares would help alleviate that.

DaleK · #8 05/27/13, 08:22 PM

Haylage isn't going to keep her particularly fatter than dry hay. You'd be better off finding somebody close by with corn silage if you can, maybe trade some hay to get some once or twice a week in the winter.