Last years Haylage

[winchester]

We bought lots of big round bales of haylage last year for the horses (Cut July 2010) to feed in the fields. We had quite a few left over. A few of them had holes so had them taken away by the muck man and a couple we gave to the BRoodmares.

When they had them (last month) One mare went very poorly and vet thinks it is a womb infection (where she was inseminated and it didnt work) and the other mare had very runny poo.

Do you think it could have both been caused by the haylage? Would you think it was because it was too rich - or could it have been mouldy?

I have 1 bale left and dont know whether to give it to them or not!

 

[BigRed]

The people I buy my haylage from tell me it should last for 18 months. So you should be OK, the simple thing, is to open the last bale and have a look, you should be able to tell if it's gone bad, it is pretty obvious. It's mouldy and slimey and smells horrible.

 

[YasandCrystal]

Haylage doesn't keep well if is moved. It can set off fermentation and ruin the bale. I would open it and smell and inspect it. If there is any white mould or strong fermentation smell discard it definately. It should smell fresh not strong.