Does wrapped haylage mature over time?

COPALEG2

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I recently bought 6 giant bales of green wrapped haylage. The ponies won't eat it and it smells of chloryfill. The cut stalks are quite green. Does anyone know if it will mature in the wrap if unopened? I have 6 of these giant bales & don't want to waste another one by opening it up if by leaving it a few months it might mature off & smell better!
 

cptrayes

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When was it made?

It should be nice and palatable within 8 weeks of wrapping. Is it well wrapped? It sounds as if it might have not been thick enough wrapped and that it has failed to "make" properly. I had some like this last year and changed my supplier because of it.
 

COPALEG2

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I was told it was this year's cut. It was wrapped in around 4or 5 layers of plastic. I definitely won't be getting more from this supplier although I have 3 black wrapped bales from this supplier and it is really lovely haylage. I think this "bad" cut haylage is from his own fields whereas the other good stuff was from elsewhere. He ran out of the black wrapped stuff. Think I'll change suppliers in the meantime. Just means 6 huge bales will go to waste!
 

cptrayes

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I suspect the wrapping is too thin and it has let the fermentation "escape". The stuff I had last year like it smelt "dull", not quite "off" but not sweet and alcohol-ish like it should. The older it got the worse it was :(
 
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