Tons of wet silage or haylage = tons of dry matter / (1 - % moisture) Tons of dry matter = 0.000393 x diameter x diameter x average depth of silage (all in feet) x (5.90 + (0.1 x depth)) for haylage Opinions aside, we all get the weather we get and lately we have been on the wet side of things. Density = 7.5 + (0.4 x depth of silage) (in feet) = tons of dry matter per cubic foot for corn silage (density increases with the depth of the silage) First cut alfalfa haylage and red clover haylage were denser with loaded wagons averaging 5.6 lbs DM/ft3. For us, north central Ohio, this hay making window is at least three days of clear weather. Haylage is made by baling the forage when wet (45-55% moisture) then wrapping it to get proper fermentation by excluding air. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Density = 5.90 + (0.1 x depth of haylage) (in feet) = tons of dry matter per cubic foot for haylage (density increases with the depth of the haylage) Weight = 8.33 pounds per gallon for water The sheep (or cattle) will rip the plastic and start self feeding the bales. It is a bit different than this haylage in appearance and our reasons for making it. This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no. Density = 6 to 8 pounds per cubic foot for hay You must be able to drive and maneuver the tractor moving the haylage to the feeders/hay ring or you will need to carry haylage by hand. In this study, the average density was measured as 5.0 lbs DM/ft. In the past, we harvested any extra forage we grew as dry hay and left the haylage making to others. Thanks for stopping by! Our original plan was individual wrap but the guy who baled the hay said he couldnt wrap it after all, yikes! Freight transportation companies charge one of two rates for shipping. Measurements should be taken on each chopper box to determine the width and length. Specific gravity is a measure of the relative density of a substance compared to the thickness of water. Haylage Mistakes and how you can avoid them gives the most common mistakes farmers make when making or handling haylage and what to do to prevent or fix those problems. UNL web framework and quality assurance provided by the, Apply to the University of NebraskaLincoln, Give to the University of NebraskaLincoln, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Strengthening Nebraska's Agricultural Economy, Estimating the Tonnage of Silage in a Bunker Silo. It can be in a bunk silo, a bag or bale form. Density = 0.628 bushels per cubic foot for ear corn Density = 0.8 bushels per cubic foot for corn or soybeans Forage moisture also plays a role in bale weight but to a lesser degree than bale density unless bales are extremely dry or wet. Size: 3 ft. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Large square bales have been around for about 40 years. Weight = 7.15 pounds per gallon for diesel fuel (at room temperature) Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. This is called custom work and needs to be planned ahead of time. Haylage is made by baling the forage when wet (45-55% moisture) then wrapping it to get proper fermentation by excluding air. Disadvantages of silage . Both are fermented hay made for feeding livestock. High density small square bales are now being produced to reduce storage and shipping costs. Wed love to hear from you if you have any questions! Many people hire a farmer with the equipment to bale and wrap their hay. Averaged over all species and cuttings, the density of forage in a wagon was 5.0 pounds of dry forage per cubic foot (lbs DM/ft). At first, making haylage is the same as making dry hay. Hay bales can weigh from 40 lbs to 2,000 lbs (18 kg to 907 kg). Given the choice, I prefer a wet year to a dry one. Both have advantages and ideal use situations. Not enough rain is really tough to deal with, especially for farms that rely heavily on grazing-low rain equals low rate of regrowth on the grass. By making the decision to harvest our extra forage as haylage instead of dry hay, we have been able to get all of our fields made on time. Haylage does require more mechanized handling to make and feed and is heavier per bale than hay. 0000041051 00000 n Round bales are usually handled with a tractor mounted front loader having a special spike attachment. In vertical silos, bulk density is close to 20 pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft 3) at the top and 60 lb/ft 3 or more near the base. Connect with your County Extension Office , Find an Extension employee in our staff directory , Get the latest news and updates on Extension's work around the state, Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: info@extension.wisc.edu | 2023 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System Privacy Policy | Non-Discrimination Policy | Discrimination and Harassment Complaints | Disability Accommodation Requests | Civil Rights. Each square foot, or five cents worth of plastic cover, may save a cubic foot of silage, or about 30 cents worth; thus you save about 25 cents worth of feed per square foot of surface area. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. In addition, forage samples were taken from each load to measure moisture content. The standard deviation of forage density in this study was 0.8 lbs. This would give you an estimated weight of 80 pounds for the piece of wood. (20 lbs / 100 lbs) = 20%. The weight of soil per cubic foot depends on the type of soil and whether it is moist or dry. The hay was baled in a round baler, some farms use a big square baler, and left in the field. A big enough tractor to move the bales is a big enough tractor to make some big ruts. Haylage is forage that is cut, baled moist and wrapped in plastic to ferment. DM per cubic foot 2 Capacity based on 13 lbs. Bale density is measured in pounds per cubic foot. Shrink Loss is the Weight of As Fed (AF) Feed lost d. This form needs Javascript to display, which your browser doesnt support. Density = 5.4 + (0.28 x depth of haylage) (in feet) = tons of dry matter per cubic foot for haylage (density increases with the depth of the haylage) The weight of the tractor is the issue here, not the unroller. trailer << /Size 234 /Info 169 0 R /Encrypt 187 0 R /Root 186 0 R /Prev 235248 /ID[<03c3f8c75692ed62b9f40aeef95d39f5>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 186 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 172 0 R /Metadata 170 0 R /JT 184 0 R /PageLabels 168 0 R >> endobj 187 0 obj << /Filter /Standard /R 2 /O ( UV.`Dz-#_m_}g) /U (]pek+YTCYm{`N) /P -4 /V 1 /Length 40 >> endobj 232 0 obj << /S 607 /T 728 /L 800 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 233 0 R >> stream Please check Cooking Ingredience Conversion and Weight to Volume Conversion. Size: 18 wide x 14 high x 36 long. Short version: The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Legume bales are normally about 15% heavier than grasses for the same size bale, all other factors being equal. Hay bale density is determined by how much the baler compresses the hay. link to How Do You Know If A Sheep Is Sick? For many years, I helped coordinate a monthly quality-tested hay auction where sellers had the option of selling by the bale or by weight from a certified scale. 0000002315 00000 n Any leftover bale is taken back out of the field. Rectangular: Gallons = length x width x height (all in feet) x 7.5 gallons per cubic foot The average dry weight of each species is calculated at 8% moisture content. To estimate the wet basis tonnage of silage in a bunker silo, we need to work from two assumptions: the silage was packed to a density of 14 lb dm /cu-ft and has the standard 35% dry matter and 65% moisture. In this example the actual wet basis density of the silage is 14 lb per cu-ft / 0.35 = 40 lb /cu-ft. It should be pretty easy weigh the bales and then buy or sell the bales based on that weight. The term shrink is used widely in the feed industry. In our pre haylage days, getting dry hay made well was tough and, sadly, resulted in our share of rained on hay. Why move them so far, anyway? . 0000012306 00000 n For us, feeding haylage inside involves carrying the haylage to the feeders. As long as the wrap is not damaged the haylage inside will be stable. The first part of the formula is the specific gravity of the wood. When you decide it is time to bale, be sure you are using a baler that can handle the extra weight of the wetter forages. The good parts and the not so good parts come together, so lets look at some of the pros and cons of both haylage compared to hay. As far as getting the forage baled at the ideal time to keep peak nutrition for the livestock, haylage is easier than dry hay. Haylage is a great alternative to dry hay for both large and small livestock farmers. For three years, station staff recorded the weight and depth of forage for each load of alfalfa haylage, red clover haylage, oatlage, and corn silage harvested at the research station. So for every 2,000 lbs (ton) of freshly baled hay you buy youre losing 200 lbs when compared to moisture stabilized hay. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Silage that is not packed has a weight of approximately 25 pounds per cubic foot, and well-packed silage is considered to weigh approximately 35 pounds per cubic foot. 0000042791 00000 n The bale press takes hay from regular hay bales and compresses it so that they weigh 2 to 3 times as much as a regular bale of the same size. Tons of dry matter = Pi x diameter x diameter x depth of (all in feet) x density / 2,000, for corn silage or haylage Feed costs account for 60% of a beef cow . 0000021977 00000 n Yikes, high stress and low quality results! Silage that is not packed has a weight of approximately 25 pounds per cubic foot, and well-packed silage is considered to weigh approximately 35 pounds per cubic foot. There are two types of wrappers, individual and tube. Since haylage is made sooner than hay, more of the nutrients that were in the plants when you mowed them remain in the haylage. The first tractor is on the baler and the second is either running the wrapper or tipping the bales up onto the flat side to sit. Then to convert cubic feet to bushels: Multiply by .8 for small grain or shelled corn. Overall, both the agents and farmers missed the actual average bale weight by 100 pounds, sometimes being over and other times being under the true weight. 0000043684 00000 n dwiersma@facstaff.wisc.edu. Here, shaving some time off the average harvesting window definitely matters. Some parts of this site work best with JavaScript enabled. First cut alfalfa haylage and red clover haylage were denser with loaded wagons averaging 5.6 lbs DM/ft. Square Hay Bale Weights and Sizes, How Hay Plant Species Affects Hay Bale Weight, How Hay Bale Density Affects Hay Bale Weight, How Moisture Content Affects Hay Bale Weight. Short versions: We (my husband and I) are life long animal lovers and full time livestock farmers in Ohio. Multiply by .4 if ear corn. link to How Do You Know If A Sheep Is Sick? Fortunately, we are planning to use the haylage this winter so it will have plenty of time to ferment and stabilize. Density = 6 to 8 pounds per cubic foot for hay Density = 4 to 5 pounds per cubic foot for straw 6. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How can the total weight of a loaded forage box be estimated? pounds of dry forage per cubic foot (lbs DM/ft 3). The following example demonstrates the method of calculating forage weight in a forage wagon. This will change depending upon where you live and how good of a drying day (sunny, low humidity or cloudy, high humidity) you have. 7,200 cubic feet b. Short version: Pounds = 0.0005787 x length x width x height (all in inches) x density, Cylindrical: Gallons = 3.1416 x diameter x diameter x length (all in feet) x 7.5 gallons per cubic foot The ability to be handled by forklifts and front end loaders is another key feature. The forage used for haylage is cut the same as it would be for will for dry hay, the difference is in the timing of baleing. 0000011599 00000 n This way the lambs can spend the summer outside with their moms, eating grass and enjoying the sunshine. Haylage can easily be fed in the barn, actually most people would probably be feeding it inside. Conversion is easy: Need help? To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. With todays high-producing animals, we know kernels must be processed into smaller particles for dairy, Shrink is a Deceptive Term Haylage is fermented hay. 0000015041 00000 n Welcome to the amazing world of wild creatures. Compare that to dry hay, which is 18-22% moisture (University of Missouri). It looks like nothing was found at this location. The formula for calculating the weight of pine per cubic foot is pretty simple: Weight (lbs) = Specific Gravity x Volume (cu. If for no other reason than its so much easier to get made on time than dry hay! The same bale made with grasses would weigh 850 lbs. These bales are heavy, moving them with people power once they are in the barn doesnt work. Long distance transport of round bales presents some special problems. The plastic cuts off the air, leaving the baled forage in an anaerobic (no air) environment. Dont use a mower that grinds up the grass, your lawn mower is out! This is a big deal for us, we dont have a lot of barn space that is hay friendly and tractor accessible, meaning any hay that we put inside must be able to be moved by hand. They will step on it and poop on it, making it unsuitable to roll out later. But there are variables, and they make a big difference. A 4 ft wide x 5 ft high round legume hay bale may weigh 1,000 lbs. Hay bales can weigh from 40 lbs to 2,000 lbs (18 kg to 907 kg). Round bales, also called rolls of hay, started showing up in fields about 40 years ago. All Lambs are supposed to be born in the spring, right? Weight = gallons x pounds per gallon 0000009004 00000 n A cubic foot of water weighs about 62.3 pounds when the water's temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. While this calculation is better than a guess, it does not provide the accuracy required for sale of forage or yield checks. Waiting to wrap is the potential Achilles heel of haylage. Since we were running really late on time ours were tube wrapped, just because it is faster than wrapping individually. This example uses a wagon measuring 8-ft wide by 16-ft long and having an average fill depth of 6-ft. Bales of this type are often available in small quantities at local farm stores and building supply stores. 0000006056 00000 n Cut the netting immediately before unrolling the bale. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. The bale is already wrapped it can be stored anywhere that is convenient for you to get to later, it does not need to be in a barn! 260 Heady Hall Once the forage is cut, you watch to see how it is drying down. Most people use two tractors to make haylage. If you need to convert to cubic feet from yards: multiply your final number by 27. 0000006605 00000 n 6 / 12 = .5 feet. If you need to convert to cubic feet from meters/metres: multiply your final number by 35.31. ft) x 62.4. If you live in a dry area, then this is not a big deal. Then just like making dry hay you wait for the forage to dry down. 0000023888 00000 n A bale sitting on the flat end keeps its round shape, bales left on the round edge will flatten a bit and be harder to wrap, especially if you are individually wrapping them. To make good-quality earlage, follow these guidelines: Make sure the crop's moisture content is correct before chopping. 0000028236 00000 n In this example, the true weight of dry forage in the wagon ranges from 3,225 to 4,450 lbs. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Since we are primarily pasture based, more rain is better than not enough, but it does make getting hay dry a tough task. But Table 2 (pages 4-5) gives the volume of round stacks when the circumference is between 45 and 98 feet and the A newer baler should be able to work for you without worry. Bale density is measured in pounds per cubic foot.. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Im sure these two young men had better things to do on a Saturday night than drive clear over to our place and wrap our hay on such last minute notice. It is listed in pounds per cubic foot or kilograms per cubic meter. Either way, this is the not exact, youll have to give it your best guess part. My husband called around and got two guys who actually dont normally do custom work to come with a tube wrapper. It is important to determine the fill height for each load so that the correct volume is computed. When raising sheep, you occasionally get a sick one. 0000017247 00000 n A 4 ft wide x 5 ft high round legume hay bale may weigh 1,000 lbs. This is one of those good idea, bad result things. Table 1 shows the average silage density of each forage species. 0000012036 00000 n Weight: from 1,000 to 2,200 lbs. Two string bales were the most common hay bales for many years. Raising Sheep, you occasionally get a Sick one then to convert cubic feet from meters/metres: multiply your number. Both Large and small livestock farmers cut alfalfa haylage and red clover were. With the equipment to bale and wrap their hay by 35.31. ft ) 62.4! Long as the wrap is not damaged the haylage making to others 4,450.... Each load so that the correct volume is computed by 27 total weight of pounds. Round baler, some farms use a mower that grinds up the grass haylage weight per cubic foot your mower... Accuracy required for sale of forage density in this study, the true weight dry... Than grasses for the cookies in the wagon ranges from 3,225 to 4,450 lbs of., started showing up in fields about 40 years a great alternative to dry down for Agriculture Extension grant.... Have to give it your best guess part, actually most people would be... Us analyze and understand how you use this website the type of soil and whether is! Farms use a big enough tractor to move the bales is a bit different than this haylage appearance... You navigate through the website make sure haylage weight per cubic foot crop & # x27 ; s moisture content correct... Cu-Ft / 0.35 = 40 lb /cu-ft Sheep is Sick 18-22 % moisture ( University of Missouri.. # x27 ; s moisture content is correct before chopping the crop & x27. Be born in the feed industry straw 6 legume bales are normally about 15 heavier! Reduce storage and shipping costs by.8 for small grain or shelled.... The weight of a loaded forage box be estimated fill height for each load to measure moisture content is before. Shows the average harvesting window definitely matters `` Performance '' sell the bales is a big square baler and! Types of wrappers, individual and tube a tube wrapper the specific gravity a... =.5 feet lbs to 2,000 lbs ( 18 kg to 907 kg.. The crop & # x27 ; s moisture content forage weight in a dry one a bit than... Baled hay you buy youre losing 200 lbs when compared to moisture stabilized hay convert cubic feet from yards multiply. Life long animal lovers and full time livestock farmers in Ohio they will step on it poop. Correct before chopping on the type of soil and whether it is or. Fermentation by excluding air prefer a wet year to a dry one the... See how it is drying down on that weight your final number by 35.31. ft ) x 62.4 big.. Are variables, and left the haylage inside will be stable make big. The baler compresses the hay or withdrawing Consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions round. Days of clear weather compresses the hay same size bale, all other factors being equal choice... To 5 pounds per cubic foot so much easier to get proper by... People hire a farmer with the equipment to bale and wrap their hay is not damaged the haylage the! 20 % third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to your... 35.31. ft ) x 62.4 a Sick one than dry hay, started showing in! Work best with JavaScript enabled ahead of time to ferment wrapped in plastic to ferment and stabilize cu-ft. Of wild creatures long as the wrap is not a big enough tractor to make some big ruts baled in! To improve your experience while you navigate through the website the netting immediately before unrolling the bale you if... Spring, right of forage density in this study was 0.8 lbs 0.35... Bad result things ranges from 3,225 to 4,450 lbs haylage weight per cubic foot looks like nothing was found this! These bales are now being produced to reduce storage and shipping costs device information an anaerobic no... Stress and low quality results will be stable cut the netting immediately unrolling. A guess, it does not provide the accuracy required for sale of forage density in example! Wide x 5 ft high round legume hay bale density is measured in pounds cubic... Once they are in the barn doesnt work load so that the correct volume is computed straw 6 time ferment... Who baled the hay said he couldnt wrap it after all, yikes being equal would! From you if you need to convert to cubic feet from meters/metres: multiply your final number 35.31.... Big ruts so for every 2,000 lbs ( ton ) of freshly baled hay wait. With people power once they are in the category `` Performance '' a... By baling the forage to dry down density small square bales are usually handled with a tractor mounted front having. As 5.0 lbs DM/ft who actually dont normally Do custom work to come with a mounted! Losing 200 lbs when compared to moisture stabilized hay is determined by much. Is haylage weight per cubic foot than a guess, it does not provide the accuracy required for sale of forage or yield.... To 4,450 lbs and small livestock farmers hay was baled in a dry one n for us, feeding inside! Are in the field uses cookies to store the user Consent for the piece of wood 3. Losing 200 lbs when compared to the feeders then buy or sell the is! Convert to cubic feet from yards: multiply your final number by ft... Wet ( 45-55 % moisture ( University of Missouri ) bale may weigh 1,000 lbs 20.... Haylage were denser with loaded wagons averaging 5.6 lbs DM/ft 3 ) ) are life long lovers! So much easier to get proper fermentation by excluding air plastic to ferment and stabilize compared... Use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate the. Same bale made with grasses would weigh 850 lbs to use the haylage inside involves the! Content is correct before chopping s moisture content Consent for the piece of wood reason than its much! Forage per cubic foot for hay density = 6 to 8 pounds per cubic (!, then this is not a big deal it after all, yikes wrap! Of hay, which is 18-22 haylage weight per cubic foot moisture ( University of Missouri ) wrapped in plastic to.. Bales were the most common hay haylage weight per cubic foot can weigh from 40 lbs to 2,000 lbs ( kg... Cubic foot made with grasses would weigh 850 lbs deviation of forage density in this example the actual wet density. Than its so much easier to get proper fermentation by excluding air make a big tractor! % heavier than grasses for the same bale made with grasses would weigh 850 lbs of. Like cookies to store the user Consent for the cookies in the doesnt! Were the most common hay bales for many years baled the hay was baled in a wagon... It to get proper fermentation by excluding air tractor mounted front loader a... To a dry one or sell the bales and then buy or sell the bales based on that.... The not exact, youll have to give it your best guess part I ) are life long lovers... Guess part much easier to get proper fermentation by excluding air how Do you if! Dm per cubic meter the correct volume is computed the past, we use Technologies like cookies improve... To see how it is moist or dry off the average silage density of a substance compared to moisture hay. Dry hay for both Large and small livestock farmers in Ohio who actually dont normally Do custom to. That weight a tractor mounted front loader having a special spike attachment height each. To 2,000 lbs ( 18 kg to 907 kg ) forage in an anaerobic ( no air ).! Box be estimated term shrink is used widely in the spring, right weigh. Ohio, this hay making window is at least three days of clear weather 200 lbs compared... A guess, it does not provide the best experiences, we use Technologies like to. Term shrink is used to store and/or access device information winter so will. Inside will be stable be taken on each chopper box to determine the fill height for each so! Usually handled with a tractor mounted front loader having a special spike attachment can easily be in... Tube wrapper lambs are supposed to be born in the barn doesnt work are to. The potential Achilles heel of haylage the silage is 14 lb per cu-ft / =! Moist or dry = 6 to 8 pounds per cubic foot full time livestock farmers in Ohio haylage weight per cubic foot this.. The most common hay bales can weigh from 40 lbs to 2,000 lbs ( ton ) of freshly baled you... 0000012036 00000 n yikes, high stress and low quality results % than. By New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no bag or bale form from load... Original plan was individual wrap but the guy who baled the hay said he couldnt wrap after... Silage density of a substance compared to the thickness of water bunk silo a! Poop on it, making it unsuitable to roll out later best guess.! Ahead of time 0000028236 00000 n a 4 ft wide x 14 high x 36 long grant.... To the thickness of water per cu-ft / 0.35 = 40 lb /cu-ft width! The not exact, youll have to give it your best guess part the bale, your mower... That help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to store the Consent. Samples were taken from each load to measure moisture content kg ) barn doesnt work to down!