Tama Assist A definitive guide to Hay, Haylage, Silage and Straw
If you are new to bailing and are looking for information about how to provide a sustainable source of food and bedding for your livestock this article will guide you through the key differences between hay, haylage, silage and straw, enabling you to make informed decisions crucial to your livestock farming requirements.
We will explore each crop in detail, focusing on their characteristics, production methods and, importantly, the pros and cons of each crop.
Hay is simply dried grass of legumes (such as alfalfa or clover) this is cut and cured to preserve it as animal fodder.
The production of hay involves drying the crop out after it is cut at an optimal time (usually weather dependent) by leaving it in the field; often turning it several times to ensure it dries evenly. The process is intended to reduce moisture content to around 15-20%, preventing fermentation and spoilage.
Once dried to the desired moisture level the hay can be baled into different shapes and sizes, typically either round or square bales, using a quality netwrap or twine. You can read our article on bales types for more information on which format is right for you.
Pros:
Nutritional Value – Retains a high level of nutrients when harvested at the correct time.
Long Shelf Life – Properly dried hay can be stored for long periods of time without spoiling.
Versatility – Suitable for a wide range of livestock including, cattle, horses, sheep and goats.
Cons:
Weather Dependent – Requires dry weather for effective, even drying. Which of course in Northern Europe can be an unpredictable factor.
Labour Intensive – The process of drying and baling can be labour intensive taking considerable investment both in terms of time and machinery.
Storage Requirements – Considerable, long term storage space will be required. Space that is dry and well ventilated to prevent mold and spoilage.
Haylage is similar to hay, both grass or legumes but is in a semi-wilted state. It is then cut, baled and wrapped in plastic stretchfilm to create an anaerobic environment, leading to partial fermentation. Moisture content is typically around 40-50% for haylage.
The process is, for the most part the same as hay, the crop needs to be allowed to dry in the same way, until it reaches the desired moisture content; for a shorter period than hay. This semi-dry forage is then baled and immediately wrapped in stretchfilm to create an airtight jacket around the crop, which enables the fermentation process.
Pros:
Nutritional Value – High nutrient content due to partial fermentation.
Weather Flexibility – Crop is less dependent on prolonged dry weather (when compared to hay).
Palatability – Often more palatable to livestock due to the increase moisture level when compared to hay.
Cons:
Storage – Care must be taken when storing to avoid damage to the stretchfilm jacket; tears will cause the crop to become exposed to the air and begin to rot rather than ferment; spoiling the bale completely.
Cost – Cost per bale will increase due to the added cost of the stretchfilm and the specialised baling equipment required to wrap the bale.
Shelf Life – Shorter shelf life when compared to hay, especially if the stretchfilm jacket is damaged or compromised.
Silage is fermented fodder made from grass, maize or wholecrop cereals such as rye, barley, triticale, oat and wheat, with a high moisture content. As with haylage, the fermentation process occurs in anaerobic conditions, preserving the fed with a 60-70% moisture content.
Silage like haylage is left to wilt in swathes, once ready the swath is pick up by the baler and often chopped into small pieces before formed in round or square bales. After binding of the bale takes place it is then wrapped in stretchfilm, creating an airtight jacket to enable the fermentation process.
Pros:
Nutritional Value – High energy and nutrient content due to the fermentation process.
Consistency – Provides consistent feed quality regardless of external weather conditions. Assuming the fermentation process has not been interrupted due to damage to the bale.
Ease of Use – Less drying time is required, allowing for greater flexibility in harvesting schedules. Additionally bales can easily be transported to livestock, making them an ideal solution for farms of all sizes.
Cons:
Storage Requirements – Airtight storage is required, typically in bales wrapped with stretchfilm although other options such as silage pits are also available.
Risk of Spoilage – If the bale stretchfilm is damaged or the silage pit cover is not 100% airtight there is a high risk of spoilage; although the risk is considerably reduced when wrapping individual bales as any spoiled fed is focused purely on a single bale as opposed to an entire crop; which could be the case when held in a silage pit.
Environmental Considerations – Netwrap is one of the most common ways to bind silage bales but this is traditionally a difficult product to recycle due to the level of organic and non organic materials that can become trapped in the net. However new products such as EZ Web are entering the market that will allow much easier recycling and will facilitate easier collection, as it can be mixed with used stretchfilm; no need to separate.
Straw consists of the dried stem of cereal crops left over after the grain has been harvested; such as wheat, barely and oats. Unlike hay, straw has little nutritional value and is therefore mainly used as bedding or as a roughage supplement.
Once grain crops have been harvested, the stems are left in swathes to continue to dry naturally in field as required. Once moisture is around 12-20% then it is baled usually into large round or square bales. Once they are dried the stalks are chopped / cut and baled usually into large round or square bales.
Pros:
Availability – Being a byproduct of prominent grain crops, make straw widely available (weather dependent of course).
Cost Effective – Generally cheaper than hay and other forages.
Versatility – Has many uses such as, low cost highly absorbent bedding, mulching, and sometimes as a feed supplement for roughage.
Cons:
Nutritional Value – Low in nutrients and therefore it is not suitable as a primary feed source.
Dust & Mould – Can be dusty and prone to mould if not stored correctly.
Limited Use – Mainly used for bedding as it has limited nutritional benefits for livestock.
Each type of forage and bedding has its own unique characteristics, benefits and drawbacks. Choosing the right one depends on factors such as the type of livestock being farmed, available storage levels, budget, and the specific needs of the farm. Understanding these differences ensures that your livestock will receive the best possible nutrition and care, contributing to overall farm productivity and efficiency.
If you need help choosing the best crop baling solution for your forage or bedding requirements, contact the Tama team today for advice tailored to your specific farming needs.