Goal:  More consistent quality haylage throughout the storage structure with reduced protein loss from heat damage.

 

Harvesting at early to late bud stage provides high quality forage which supports higher milk production and reduces supplementation costs.  The use of Crop Cure/Crop Cure 2 preservative helps retain more of the protein gained by early harvest and provides a higher quality, more palatable feedstuff.

 

Harvest Recommendations

• The earlier alfalfa is harvested, the higher the feed value will be.  Each day the harvest is delayed past late bud stage, crude protein is reduced by 1/2% while the ADF level is increased by 0.7% and the NDF level is increased by 0.9% (University of Wisconsin.)

• Studies have shown that for each day alfalfa matures past late bud stage, milk production from that alfalfa is decreased by 0.86 pounds per cow per day.

• Be sure to check the silo for cracks and air spaces near all silo doors.  If air is allowed to enter the silo, excessive mold growth can occur. 

 

Haylage Quality and Milk Production:

Controlling heating during fermentation becomes a determining factor in reducing dry matter losses.  The addition of Crop Cure or Crop Cure 2 will help promote better fermentation and reduce heat during the fermentation process.   Therefore, more digestible dry matter per ton is retained.

 

In order to achieve maximum milk production, cows must maintain a high intake level of a nutrient-dense ration.  The chart to the right shows the quality of haylage required to attain various production levels if haylage were the sole forage in the ration.