High-moisture forages - Haylage
Haylage is a low-moisture forage; 40-60% moisture. To produce haylage,
forages are cut and wilted in the field to a moisture content of 50-70%
prior to chopping and ensiling. Moisture content at time of ensiling varies
with the period of time required to ensile. Haylage may be produced from
legumes, grasses, and forage grains. Given haylage is properly harvested,
wilted, chopped, packed, and stored; haylage is a palatable, high-quality
feedstuff. Haylage is fed to beef and dairy cattle.
Similar to other ensiled forages, establishment and maintenance of an
anaerobic environment is required for effective fermentation and therefore
production of a high-quality ensiled forage. The production process of
haylage is similar to the production process of higher moisture silage,
therefore management of haylage production and feed-out is in many ways
similar to silage. The moisture content of haylage is less than higher
moisture silages, therefore it is more difficult to establish and maintain
optimal conditions. As with other forages, haylage nutritional value is
influenced by the stage of maturity at harvest. After cutting and prior
to ensiling, the forage is allowed to wilt to a moisture content of 50-70%.
Weather conditions during wilting and time required for wilting influence
the nutritional value of the forage. At the time the forage is wilted
to the appropriate moisture content, the forage is chopped and ensiled.
In general, the recommended chop length for haylage is 1/4". The
silo should be filled quickly and continuously and packed firmly. Efficiency
of production and storage is optimal in upright and oxygen-limiting structures.
Bags may be used in the production and storage of haylage. As with conventional
silage, additives may be added to the forage during ensiling to improve
the efficiency of ensiling and nutritional value of the haylage. A layer
of high-moisture forage, moisture content at 65-70%, may be added and
compacted on the top of the silo to the top of the silo to aid in the
establishment and maintenance of anaerobic conditions. The silage should
be covered following filling and packing of the forage. Feed-out management
is required to minimize aerobic conditions and to maximize the nutritional
value of the haylage.
Advantages of production of haylage compared to hay include: 1) reduced
risk of weather and associated losses; and 2) reduced leaf losses associated
with curing, packaging, and feeding. Advantages of production of haylage
compared to higher moisture ensiled feeds include: 1) reduced storage
losses; and 2) reduced quantities of frozen feed in cold temperatures.
Disadvantages of production of haylage compared to hay include: 1) increased
storage losses; and 2) decreased marketability; and 3) decreased digestibility
of nutrients. Disadvantages of production compared to silage include:
1) increased field losses; and 2) increased potential for storage losses.
The initial step to high-quality forage for all forms of forage (i.e.
pasture, greenchop, hay, silage, haylage, etc.), is to harvest the forage
at the optimal stage of maturity. The optimal stage of maturity is a compromise
between forage yield and the nutritional value of the forage and maximizes
the yield of digestible nutrients per unit of land. As a forage manager,
it is important to realize effective post-harvest management cannot increase
the nutritional value of low-quality forage and ineffective post-harvest
management can decrease the nutritional value of high-quality forage.
The method of forage harvest is influenced by a number of factors such
as animal requirements, schedule of forage availability, environmental
conditions, and availability of labor, equipment, and facilities. Figure
7-15 on page 148 of the text illustrates estimated total field, harvest,
and storage loss when legume-grass forages are harvested at various moisture
levels and by alternative harvesting methods. Table 7-22 on page 149 of
the text provides a summary of harvesting methods for alfalfa.
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