What you may not have known about protein and semi-protein haylage and haylage baggers

Haylages play a key role in agriculture, especially in the field of livestock nutrition. Take a look with us at the important aspects of their production and storage.

We will also focus on the use of haylage baggers, which play an important role in the efficient and high-quality storage of fodder.

The basics of protein and semi-protein hay bales

Haylage is a preserved feed, the production of which is based on a fermentation process in which bacteria produce lactic acid, lowering the pH, preserving the feed and thus preventing the growth of other bacteria and moulds. This process is dependent on the absence of oxygen and the optimum dry matter content of the material.

Optimum conditions for harvesting and fermentation

The quality of haylage is influenced by several factors, including the optimal harvest time, which depends on the type of crop grown, and the dry matter content, which affects the course of fermentation and the quality of the resulting feed. For example, alfalfa should have a dry matter content of between 32–40%, clover 30–40% and grass 28–35% to achieve the ideal forage. Also important is the length of the cuttings, which affects the subsequent compaction of the mass in the bag and the feed intake by the animals. The ideal length is up to 35 mm.

The importance of haylage baggers

Haylage baggers play an indispensable role in the production of haylage, enabling the efficient storage of feed in bags. These machines both streamline the packaging and storage process and help maintain the quality of the haylage by ensuring that the haylage bags are hermetically sealed and minimise the risk of contamination.

Preventing losses and maintaining quality

Losses in haylage production can be significant and are often caused by improper harvesting methods, inadequate dry matter content, delayed harvesting or poor bagging practices.

Quality haylage, on the other hand, is the result of careful adherence to the principles of correct harvesting, sufficient compaction in the bag and hermetic sealing to create anaerobic conditions.

Feed quality in the first place

Professional management of the haying process, from optimum harvesting conditions to the correct use of preservatives and the safe storage of haylage, is essential for feed quality.

To achieve this, we need not only experience, attention to detail and a meticulous approach, but also modern agricultural technology such as haylage baggers and haylage bags.