Whether to make my own Haylage?

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Animalmad

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Hello,

I wasn’t sure where to put this so have opted for here!

I am just about to rent a new field. I have been on livery before this so it is all new to me!

The grass is very long but has buttercups, some nettles and thistles in and amongst. Would you say that is a definite no-no to using it for haylage? I was seriously looking into it but have just read that if there are any of the above then you cant make haylage with it.

The chap who makes haylage for cattle has been and had a look and said it could do with another 2 weeks growth as I would only get 5 bakes per acre at the moment but this would probably double if I left it another 2 weeks!


Can anyone advise whether they actually still make haylage when the crop is like the above? As a newb, any advice would be gratefully appreciated!

(ps I am going to be speaking to the farmer again shortly but I just wanted a bit more info until then).

Thanks
 
Strickly speaking, haylage is comprised of perennial rye grasses, meadow fescue and wild grasses such as cocksfoot and timothy, these are where you get the goodness from. Anything such as weeds, thistles, nettles etc are not meant to be bound into haylage at all.
 
Thank you for that
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I know they are not meant to be included but didnt know whether it made any difference? I know there are ideals and then there are "not ideal but still an option" and then there is "defo a no-no"!

Just wondered which category it fell into?!!!
 
Well the toxic element of buttercups evapourates when they are cut so dry buttercups won't cause a problem in haylage at all. The biggest reason people don't like thistles in haylage is because they don't want pricking when picking the bloody stuff up! (and of course some horses don't like eating them)
You can bale it without causing any harm, it would just be classed as 3rd class haylage.
 

Right That is sorta what I thought. Does the "3rd class" element simply mean 'not ideal' but still nutritionally sound (presuming the grass is all ok)?

I dont want to do anything which is not good for my babies!!
 
Yes third class is safe to feed, as all the toxins are no longer toxic, as I said above. It simply means that if you were paying for this haylage from a supplier, based on the content of thistles and buttercups you would pay considerably less for it.
 

Right ok thanks.

I am just waiting for the farmer to get back in touch with a price as I have been paying £40 a square bale so am gonna see what the comparison is!

smile.gif
 
Hey, I made my own haylege for the last few of summers, far easier than hay (to store/weather watching/horses appetite) local contractors did it for 11 pound per large square bale, I had 5 acres done and still using the last lot two years on! and I sold some for 20 pound a bale to cover costs etc, mix of grasses butter cups nettles etc
x
 
I ride past the field which my local farmer cuts for haylage and sells to me, and it is full of buttercups! So although it's not ideal, you can still make haylage out of it.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hey, I made my own haylege for the last few of summers, far easier than hay (to store/weather watching/horses appetite) local contractors did it for 11 pound per large square bale, I had 5 acres done and still using the last lot two years on! and I sold some for 20 pound a bale to cover costs etc, mix of grasses butter cups nettles etc
x

[/ QUOTE ]

Oooh that sounds promising!

Yeah I think this lot will be about £11 a bale which is a big saving! As I only will have 15 bales I know it wont last long but on the other hand he said I could do a second lot in a short period of time as I will be splitting the field and so can make half a fields worth!

Hmmm will let you know what happens!
 
My boyfriend and the contractors around here charge 5.50 per bale...thats for mowing, raking, and bailing including the net..but the farmers supply their own wrap as some like certain colours ect.

We usually get 1 bale per acre..but thats on feilds that have been fertilised, to cut your costs down can you not just make hay out of it as you will not need any wrap and at the min thats about £35.00 per roll...just a thought
 
Hello there.

Thanks for the replies!

I have no-where to store it as otherwise hay may have been an option. I know both my neddies have loved their haylage but I havent tried them on hay. Would just prefer haylage I guess.

I am hoping the farmer I have spoken to will come back with some cheap price for me! I could always wait a couple of weeks til the grass is longer then have it done which would double the number of bales per acre apparently!

Arrrgh decisions decisions!
 
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