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Wrapped bales create a condition for proper fermentation and longer-term storage. Dry matter losses will be lower when harvesting at these moisture levels. Producers can end up with tough hay when moisture ranges between 20 and 35 percent.
- Why is hay stored in bales?
- Why is hay baled?
- Why do farmers wrap bales?
- How long will stored hay last?
- Is hay farming worth it?
- Why is some hay rolled instead of baled?
- Who invented hay bales?
- What are Amish hay bales called?
- Is wrapping hay worth it?
- Why are hay bales wrapped in black?
- Why do farmers wrap hay in black plastic?
- Can you feed last years hay to horses?
- Is hay still good if it gets rained on?
- Does hay need to breathe?
- Is it cheaper to buy hay or make it?
- How many bales of hay can you get per acre?
Why is hay stored in bales?
Hay stored outside must be stacked in such a way that moisture contact is minimal. Some stacks are arranged in such a manner that the hay itself sheds water when it falls. Other methods of stacking use the first layers or bales of hay as a cover to protect the rest.
Why is hay baled?
Hay is made from the stems, leaves, and seed heads of plants that are fresh. It is cut and baled when it has the most nutritional value, and is fed to livestock.
Why do farmers wrap bales?
Per Lingvall, of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, told Farmers Weekly at Scotgrass that using white or light green wrap resulted in better quality silage as it reflects 25-28% of light, resulting in significantly less heat in bales and so a more stable fermentation process.
How long will stored hay last?
Storing Hay
You can store hay indefinitely if the stack is managed correctly; although, in humid climates, using hay within three years of harvest is ideal. Hay growers need to bale it at correct moisture levels because if it's baled too damp the hay will generate heat, which leads to molding.
Is hay farming worth it?
Brown says using 2019 numbers, it costs about $400 an acre to plant corn on ground that may yield 150 bushels per acre. ... “If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre. “The potential is there to make some pretty good money on hay.”
Why is some hay rolled instead of baled?
Why do they do that? Farmers often bale hay in large round bales instead of small square bales because they require less labor to bale and move than small square bales. The shape of round bales enables them to be stored outside, something you would never do with square bales.
Who invented hay bales?
Hay” upon first sighting a field of them, you are a terrible road trip companion. But when did these iconic hay bales become a part of the landscape? To make large round hay bales, you need a large round hay baler. And in 1966, agricultural engineer Wesley Buchele invented one.
What are Amish hay bales called?
In North America, a stook may also refer to a field stack of six, ten or fifteen small (70–90 lb (30–40 kg)), rectangular bales of hay or straw. These bales may be stacked and deposited by a "stooking machine" or "stooker" that is dragged, sled-like, behind the baler.
Is wrapping hay worth it?
Wrapping dry hay allows farmers to protect feed from the weather without building more structures. If the hay is in string-tied bales and to be stored outside, then a couple turns of plastic may be an economic advantage, as long as the gain due to reduced storage losses outweighs the loss in increased expense.
Why are hay bales wrapped in black?
The sun warms up the bale and white film reflects the sunlight and thereby keeps the temperature down. Darker film on the other hand absorbs sunlight and gives a higher temperature inside the bale. Black film absorbs the most sunlight. ... Therefore choose as light coloured film as possible for wrapping of forage.
Why do farmers wrap hay in black plastic?
Well-Known Member. He is making silage, in the manner of the 1940's, the heap will ferment and produce lactic acid which preserves the grass, in order to stop the whole lot spoiling it will be covered with black plastic and tyres. Most farmers are more sensible and wrap the stuff in round bales wrapped in plastic.
Can you feed last years hay to horses?
If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years. ... Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage.
Is hay still good if it gets rained on?
Rained-on hay often has relatively high protein values compared to fiber content unless there's great leaf loss. Leaves contain a lot of the plant's protein. As soluble carbohydrates leach, structural fibers make up a greater percent of forage dry matter. The digestibility of rained-on hay can decline 6 to 40 percent.
Does hay need to breathe?
3) Leave space for bales to breathe.
That allows the air to move around the bales so they maintain their green color. Obviously, if we used preservative, they were baled a little damp, so they need space to breathe.”
Is it cheaper to buy hay or make it?
In most environments where forage production is based on natural rainfall, you can almost always buy hay cheaper than you can produce it. Most farmers and ranchers initially don't believe this. ... When full cost of production is accounted for, hay generally costs between $70 and $140/ton to produce.
How many bales of hay can you get per acre?
With an average bale weight of around 40 pounds (with our Abbriata small square baler or any of our mini round balers), that's 100 bales to the acre for a first cutting. Our farm aside, we can offer some guidelines to consider when trying to predict the productivity of your hay fields.
