Introduction:

North Central Idaho is normally blessed with adequate rainfall coupled with cool night time temperatures which is ideal for growing cool season grasses for forage.  Grass plants grow rapidly in May and early June and produce forage that is high in nutritive value for cattle.  In late June the plants start to mature and the quality declines.  Hay growers are faced with a big management challenge every year in regards to harvest date.  The forage needs to be cut while the quality is optimum, but at the same time, insure drying conditions are adequate to allow for curing of the hay.

Historically, harvest has been delayed until early July to avoid seasonal rains and heavy night time dews.  However, delaying harvest until July severely reduces the quality of forage in terms of crude protein content along with other essential vitamins and nutrients.

One option that will allow hay growers to harvest the forage in late May or early June is using the round bale haylage method.  This method is not new to the area but should be more widely considered as a viable option.  The advantages of using the round bale haylage system include:

1. The ability to implement a planned and scheduled harvest season.  (Late May – Early June) Of course this could vary each year due to wet field conditions.

2. Harvesting the forage early will insure that the crop contains an optimum level of nutrients, specifically protein.

3. There will be reduced nutrient loss and spoilage due to poor drying conditions.

4. Increased palatability and consumption will be realized.  This is especially true with Meadow Foxtail hay.

Procedure:

The round bale haylage system can easily be adapted to most ranches that currently harvest hay using the round bale system.  Equipment needed includes:

1. Round baler

2. Round bale hay handling equipment. 

3. Stack yard with a braced back wall for stacking the bales.

Harvesting:

• Swath the forage at a stage of maturity that is most optimum for quality.

• The forage should then be baled with a round baler.  Make bales that are 4 to 5 feet in size.

• The moisture content of the forage should be approximately 60%.  The easiest way to determine moisture content is with a portable forage moisture tester.  This machine is battery operated and comes with a sensor.  Simply place the sensor against the forage, making sure there is a good sensor to forage contact.  The percent moisture will be displayed on the screen. 

• As a general rule of thumb, most producers swath in the morning and bale in the afternoon with a slight wilt.

• Swath and bale only what can be wrapped or bagged that day.

• When baling is complete, load the bales and haul them to the stacking area.

• Unload the bales and while on the spear loader, place them in 4 mil plastic bags.

• Tie the open end of the bag shut after stacking.  It is important to be sure the bag is airtight.  If the bag is not airtight, the forage will dry out and not ensile properly.

• Bales can also be individually wrapped with a bale wrapping machine or placed in a round bale bag with many other bales.  The bags look similar to a long sausage bag when filled.

• After harvest is complete, check the bags for holes or tears.  Use duct tape to reseal the bags.  Bags that are damaged before the ensiling process is complete will cause the bale(s) to dry out and not ensile.  After the bales have gone through the ensiling process, they are susceptible to mold if the bags are torn.

Summary:

The round bale haylage system is a valuable harvesting system for forage producers who have difficult drying conditions.  High quality forage can be produced with little investment over the conventional round bale hay system.  An early season harvest may allow for a second cutting of hay or a nice regrowth of forage that can be used as stockpiled feed for fall grazing.

Demonstrations conducted in Idaho County proved that protein levels can be improved by as much as 5% using the round bale haylage system and early harvest dates.  Table 1 provides an explanation of the results obtained from the demonstrations:

Table 1.  Protein levels for forage harvested at three dates in Idaho County.
     Protein % dry basis
Date                                         6/15             6/20                7/1

Round Bale Silage                   14                10.5                8.1

For more information on this topic or any other beef cattle related topic, feel free to contact me.  Good luck with the upcoming hay harvest season.