Re: silage vs bale costs on farm

Posted by RodinNS on November 01, 2005 at 14:18:23 from (142.177.108.190):

In Reply to: silage vs bale costs on farm posted by diggerdave on November 01, 2005 at 07:05:47:

To some degree, a function of herd size. To some, a matter of preference.
Generally, with precision chop silage/haylage, you can expect a higher quailty feed due to superiour ensiling characteristics. It is generally easier to produce a consistent quality feed. Opening a wrapped (ensiled) round bale is often like Christmas morning every day. Every one is a surprise, and every one is different in feed quality. You must also pay a good deal more attention to the plastic as the bales sit in storage. Any rupture will often lead to the loss of the bale. The rest of the equation is largely about economies of scale. Given that you have a large enough operation to equalise the fixed costs of each system, the bunker silo will come ahead in overall costs per ton. Less labor, less plastic (a very big factor), and generally higher speed leading to putting up higher quality feed at the correct time give the upper hand to bunkers.
Dry hay will bring all the problems that Paul has pointed out.
I've baled a lot of hay, a lot of haylage (wrapped) and currently am chopping. Chop is my preference.

Rod

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