05/07/2024
WHEN IS NEW HAY AND HAYLAGE SAFE TO FEED?
Q: I’ve been told I can’t feed this year’s hay until the winter, and also I’d like to know how long I need to leave haylage before it’s safe to feed?
A: New hay is ready to feed almost straight away IF it is dry enough (dry matter of over 88%) when made. Hay is traditionally left for a few weeks to 'cure' especially in the UK due to unreliable weather often resulting in a less than ideal dry matter i.e. too high a moisture content. This moisture content can lead to some microbial activity after baling, making it unsafe to feed straight away. If in doubt, leave new hay for 4-6 weeks.
Haylage is wilted and wrapped when it has a higher moisture content than hay, which leads to a fermentation of the carbohydrates in the grass. This process makes the pH (acid/alkaline balance) of the grass drop a little, which eventually causes the fermentation to cease. Once this fermentation has finished, the haylage is safe to feed. How long that process takes will vary according to the carbs and moisture content of the grass, but a safe guide is 6 weeks. Never feed haylage whist it is still fermenting.
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