Haylage dilemma

[Lucy Shoe]

Please could anyone offer me any suggestions. I have our local farmer make haylage for me but he can now only do large round bales. I only have 1 horse and although it will be made quite dry how long will it keep once opened. I was thinking of trying to split it in half and open it out to stop it heating up. Does anyone know what can be used to split it or anything else I could do to help stop it from going off.

 

[Fides]

I'd say 2 weeks max - any longer than that and it goes warm and fusty. There is also a real fire risk if it starts to rot and gets too hot

 

[Shay]

It does depend slightly on the ambient temperature - but I would have said closer to 10 days. Not only is there a fire risk; but rotting haylage also carries the risk of botulism which is fatal to horses. Splitting it and spreading it out might stop it heating up; but will only give a greater surface area and oxygen to allow mold and spores to grow. I have 2 horses and can't get through a big bale before it rots. Would your farmer be able to make hay instead? You could soak it if you need tor educe dust etc.

 

[Louby]

My friend buys off a local farmer and it is very dry and looks just like hay. He has said it will last 3 weeks no problem as it is basically hay. I was a bit hmmmm at 3 weeks but it has been totally fine. Someone else on the yard uses it for her horse and its lasted longer, doesnt smell any different, isnt heating up. Mine on the other hand is more haylagey, we have gone 2 weeks max during the coldest months but this last bale after a week was really warm inside, looks fine, smells fine, daft really as it seems dryer than others Ive had so Ive unwrapped the lot but will throw away what isnt used in the next day or two, it will be about 10 days old at that point. Im swapping to big bale hay this week as we just wont get through the haylage in time now the weathers warming up.

 

[Goldenstar]

It will be ok in winter if it in a cool well ventilated place .

 

[STRIKER]

is it first cut timothy, then it is the driest haylage available, which will last up to 3 weeks if you remove the plastic otherwise it sweats and everyday just turn each sleeve over but try to keep in a cool place, possibly with a breeze, if it is second cut timothy so much greener it will only last two weeks as has more moisture in, but do apply the same principles remove the wrapping, in winter both will last a month and thats with the wrapping on.