Start Date
2-27-2003 1:15 PM
Description
Even with extended grazing systems, typical winter weather conditions in Kentucky necessitate the production of some stored forage for livestock during winter. Hay has traditionally been the way of storing this forage. However, when rain occurs during haymaking operations, the losses can be severe both in yield and in forage quality. Harvest losses are greatest for very dry forage and are low for very wet material like direct cut silage. Silage offers an opportunity to avoid most of the rain damage during harvest because the crop only needs to be left out overnight in most cases to be ready to bale. One of the advantages of silage in preserving legume forages like red clover and alfalfa is that more of the leaf is retained when the crop is put up at a much higher moisture level.
Included in
Alfalfa Haylage and Silage
Even with extended grazing systems, typical winter weather conditions in Kentucky necessitate the production of some stored forage for livestock during winter. Hay has traditionally been the way of storing this forage. However, when rain occurs during haymaking operations, the losses can be severe both in yield and in forage quality. Harvest losses are greatest for very dry forage and are low for very wet material like direct cut silage. Silage offers an opportunity to avoid most of the rain damage during harvest because the crop only needs to be left out overnight in most cases to be ready to bale. One of the advantages of silage in preserving legume forages like red clover and alfalfa is that more of the leaf is retained when the crop is put up at a much higher moisture level.