Ag-Bag MB7010HyPac - Manual (Page 128)

13
T
HE
3M’
S OF
S
ILAGE
Appendix B
Ag-Bag International, Ltd.
MB7010 HyPac November 2003
3M #3 – MOISTURE
Ag-Bag ® International recommends that forages
be harvested at moisture levels ranging from 55-
68%. This insures best fermentation and
digestibility of TDNs. Wilting of most forages will
be necessary to attain the desired moisture.
Note: For round or square bale silage, we
recommend 45-55% moisture. Head chop grain
should be harvested in the 30-40% moisture range.
Snapped Earlage should be in the 30-45%
moisture range. High moisture shelled corn should
be in the 28-30% moisture range. One (1) ton of
dry hay will equal three (3) tons of baglage (Rule
of Thumb).
M
OISTURE AND
Q
UALITY
In addition to stage of maturity at the time of
harvest, moisture (either too much or too little) is
one of the most important factors that determines
the quality of the final product of the ensiling
process. Other things being equal, losses with
wilted silage are much lower than when the forages
are ensiled as direct cut material at high moisture
levels. Silage cut above 70% moisture tends to
increase the amount of clostridia in the forages.
The clostridia starts to use up the proteins and
soluble sugars, lessening the quality of the feed.
This higher moisture feed can cause some
acidosis in the cattle - since ensiling bacteria are
more active in wetter feeds as the moisture wilt.
Try to start bagging at 70% moisture (as soon as it
doesn’t make water) and balance your swathing
with speed of bagging and hauling.
M
OISTURE
T
ESTING
There are lots of moisture testers on the market
today. Some are electronic, others have probes,
some cook the moisture out of the feed and leave
the residue to weigh for accurate dry matter.
Contact Ag-Bag
® International for ordering a
moisture tester. Another method used by some
experienced Ag-Bag
® users is the Squeeze Ball
Test. To do this, grab a handful of chopped material
and form a ball. Squeeze the material hard for 30
seconds. If you squeeze water out of the feed, it is
above 75% moisture. If no water comes out when
pressed and the material holds a tight ball and
some moisture remains on your hand, it is from
65-70% moisture. If the ball comes apart slowly, it
is close to 60% moisture. Under 50% moisture,
the ball springs apart and does not stay together.
Below this level (50-55%), the moisture is getting
marginal for good fermentation.
D
IRECT
C
UT
Some forages can be cut directly off the stump.
EXAMPLE: a) An alfalfa crop that is very grassy or
past 10-20% bloom. b) Most crops that are mature
rather than very lush and young. c) Most grain
crops in the dough stage can be direct cut if you
are going to use whole plant or make Head Chop.
For best results and better control of your moisture
level in the various forage crops, it is best to swath
and wilt. The ideal moisture level is 65-68% in
forages and in corn silage. In colder climates it is
advisable to lower the moisture level to 55-60%
for those bags to be fed in extremely cold weather.
P
LANNING
Y
OUR
M
OISTURE
It requires some experience to maintain swather
distance ahead of the chopper. There are many
variables, i.e., First Cut, wet ground, doesn’t dry
out as rapidly, rainy conditions. Second Cut, hot
and dry, may only require 2-3 hours wilt. Try to start
bagging at 70% moisture (as soon as it doesn’t
make water) and balance your swathing with speed
of bagging and hauling.