How long will wrapped hay last?
4 min read
Asked by: Alicia Miller
In general, forages baled at 40-60% moisture will maintain feed value for about 12 months as long as the integrity of the plastic is maintained. However, even where the forage was baled at the appropriate moisture level and the plastic has minimal holes, it is good practice to feed baleage bales within 9 months.
How long do wrapped silage bales last?
Storage life will depend on the type of plastic used. Stretchwrap plastic will give a storage life of 12 months, while plastic sheet can last for 2-3 years. Unwrapped round and square bales can be stored in pits or hillside bunkers and covered with plastic sheeting.
Is it worth wrapping dry hay?
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.
How long does it take for haylage to go off?
For this reason, the length of time haylage can be fed once opened, is given as a range of 3-7 days. In warmer climates or during the summer months in the UK our haylage products will last for a minimum of 3 days once opened. In colder climates or during the winter months in the UK, this can easily extend to 7 days.
How long can you store hay for?
Hay stored undercover can maintain its quality for more than 12 months, but hay stored outdoors without cover will show significant reductions in quality, dry matter and nutrients over time. Hay can typically be stored outdoors and uncovered for up to three months, with a maximum of six months.
Does wrapped hay mold?
Hay wrapped at 35% moisture was fed to equines without causing adverse health effects in Sweden [4]. Others have observed surface mold between the hay and plastic wrap when dry hay (less than 15% moisture) was wrapped [8]. All feeds contain some level of mold, even feeds properly harvested and stored.
Which is better dry hay or haylage?
Some advantages over dry hay include less loss during storage, fewer weather delays at harvest, and faster turnaround from when the forage is down in both regrowth and time on the ground. The equipment changes are not significant but need to be considered.
Why is haylage better than hay?
Haylage is much closer to the horses natural diet of grass, both in texture and nutritional value it is more palatable and digestible than hay, has a higher nutritional value and is less dusty.
Why are hay bales wrapped in white plastic?
The last few decades have brought increased interest in the use of plastic wrapped bales for forage. The advantages are clear: reduction in drying time, better leaf retention compared to dry hay, no storage structures needed, and reduction in weather risk.
Can you feed wet wrapped hay to horses?
Asperigillus and fusarium species are commonly found in wet hay and can produce mold toxins. Mold toxins can cause problems in horses. Learn more about why you should not feed your horse moldy hay. Aspergillus mold species were in all bales except 12 percent moisture.
Is 3 year old hay still good?
Consider these points: 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.
How do you store hay long term?
Keep the Hay Bales Off the Ground
- Some people like to use wooden pallets. …
- Add plastic covering inside them, and then place the hay on top.
- Not only will you have protection from the pallets, but also the protective plastic covering that you have used to line the bottom of those pallets.
Does hay deteriorate?
“Hay is a perishable commodity that deteriorates when exposed to weather. Time is a factor. For example, 90 days after cutting, the vitamin precursors’ loose “strength” and animals will require supplementation. The fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E are the first nutrients to oxidize.
Will cows eat year old hay?
According to the hay calculator, the year-old hay has 36 percent waste in the form of weathered, low quality hay that will not be eaten by the cows. This gives last year’s hay an adjusted value of $70.31 per bale when compared to this year’s hay.
How do you store hay without a barn?
Without a barn, you can adapt a large storage shed or cargo container. If you have to store hay outdoors, protect stacked hay with secured tarps or a plastic covering. Raise hay off bare ground using wood pallets or tires, or by building a pad of rocks or gravel.
