What I've Learned About Quality Pasture-Par XIII

Hay, pasture silage and baleage. Here on Cedar Cove Farm, we don't own any equipment to store any surplus. So, as for us, we buy in all of our winter hay needs, but I am throwing out this knowledge from the book, "Quality Pasture" by Alan Nation, to all those reading this series who do own their own equipment and store their own winter forage.

We'll start with hay. Hay is the old stand-by and is rather cost effective when you consider the big picture. Hay is a good choice for those that live in arid climates, but is often a poor choice in more humid, rainy climates. The quicker the hay dries the higher the quality. Slow drying hay will respire away most of the nutrients. Rain on cut hay causes leaching and soluble nutrients are lost. Hay nutrient levels decline over time. It is best that the hay be consumed within two years of having been made. In humid climates, this is shortened due to fungi that will grow in long stored hay. Hay is expensive to make compared to pasture silage, but is relatively easily stored and fed.

Pasture silage if made when the grass is young and sealed quickly, (same day is best), can have a very high forage quality to it. Animal performance can be almost as high as on pasture itself. The pasture silage should be cut in the afternoon in bright, sunny weather to ensure a high sugar content in the grass for fast ensilage. Per acre tonnage is lower than corn silage but agronomic costs are much lower and the lad, after being cut, can be used for fall stockpiled grazing. Also, pasture silage does not have to be supplemented with protein like corn silage does. This method has a lower machinery cost, (flail-chopper and wagon), than hay production and is much more weather proof than hay. The pasture silage is easily self-fed and can reduce winter machinery and fuel use.

Baleage is a good compromise for producers who want the higher feed qualities of silage but have already invested in round balers etc. Not all round balers can handle the extra weight of baleage, so ask your manufacturer. Also the heavier nature of round baleage may require a larger tractor. There is a higher moisture content which make them considerably heavier. It is advised that you take care and count all the costs before leaping into baleage. Like hay, baleage is best fed on the pasture unrolled in a windrow rather than in a stationary feeder that promotes pugging and parasitism. The grass is cut and wilted before being baled and, therefore, it is susceptible to leaching from rain during the wilting process. Animal performance is similar to that of pasture silage. Because of the high cost of plastic per pound, baleage is most cost-effective when used in high value dairy situations.

About the only way the plastic can be disposed of is to burn it. It will not break down in a landfill. Burning should be done with extreme care as the fumes are noxious. Research is being done to create plastic that will be bio-degradable. This is also not very earth friendly.

If you would like more information on the subject of grass farming or from this book "Quality Pasture" by Alan Nation, please look for it at the Stockman GrassFarmer web site located to the right of this blog. Thanks for your interest and learning along with me.