Agricultural News
How You Can Improve Your Bottom Line Through Proper Forage Storage
Tue, 25 Jan 2022 16:15:55 CST
While the invention of the round bale has made livestock feeders' lives much easier, round bales can also translate into more waste when not stored or fed properly. During times like these, when hay is so expensive, proper hay practices
That is why KC Sheperd, farm director for the Oklahoma Farm Report, sat down with Marty New, an Oklahoma State University extension area livestock specialist, to go over some do's and don'ts of proper hay storage.
"Dr. Peel has shown the numbers over 20 years (and) each year we continually produce more and more forage," New said. "It has raised a lot of questions about where it is all going. One thing we don't always account for is the amount of waste. As we see an increase in input prices and forage prices, anything we can do to manage our waste and become more efficient should be our goal."
First, producers should stack their round bales in rows that go north to south, not east to west, according to New. Next, round bales should never be stored in the shade with a space between rows of at least three feet, he added. By keeping round bales in full sunlight, with plenty of room between for airflow, moisture damage will be mitigated, he added.
"As that moisture penetrates further and further into that bale, that is where we start to see deterioration because we can never get (that moisture) out at that point," New said.
The second key to proper hay storage is baling smart, according to New.
"Baling smart starts with how you make a good bale," New said.
To make a good bale, New said producers should be conscious about when they bale, meaning forage should be harvested at the right time and the baler should run at the right time. Additionally, how the bale is being formed in the baler is important.
"The density of that bale is what gives us the ability to shed water," New said.
New also ends an age-old debate about netwrap vs. twine.
"Research has shown that netwrap gives us more protection from moisture and it preserves those bales better," New said. "Plus, it protects the quality and the leaves of the bale - which is the most valuable part."
Depending on the type of baler a producer has, switching from twine to netwrap is simple. New suggests producers speak to their implement dealer to see if switching is a possibility.
Hit the LISTEN BAR below to hear KC Sheperd and Marty New discuss how proper forage storage and feeding practices can affect producers' bottom line.
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