Harvesting and Storing Quality Forages

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Harvesting and Storing Quality Forages

• by
• Neil Broadwater
• Regional Extension Educator Dairy

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Harvesting and StoringQuality Forages

• Goals
• Maintaining forage quality from field to dairy
  animal
• Minimum shrinkage and spoilage
• Excellent dairy animal performance

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• If a producer harvests 80 acres of alfalfa and
  its all haylage, and the yield is 4.5 DM tons
  per acre, the producers should have 360 DM tons
  to be incorporated into a ration for the dairy
  animals over the next 12 months.
• Is that true?
• No
• There is DM loss through fermentation, wastage,
  spoilage that will affect the haylage inventory.

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• How much loss is acceptable?
• loss. Thats equivalent to a 1 ton yield loss in
  the field.
• It is easy to lose this much haylage if
  everything isnt done to prevent wastage and
  spoilage.
• The cost of producing the haylage that doesnt
  get to the bunk also needs to be taken into
  consideration
• Therefore, reducing feed shrinkage is a necessary
  management strategy to help reduce these costs.

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Dry Matter Losses during Harvest and Storage
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• It should be recognized that
• Alfalfa varies significantly in quality. Just
  because it is alfalfa does not mean that it is a
  high quality forage which will produce a large
  volume of milk.
• First-cut harvest date "sets the pace" for
  cuttings for the remainder of the growing season.
  
• Poor and unpredictable weather patterns, weed
  encroachment, and a shortage of time or labor to
  monitor and harvest the crop at optimum
  nutritional quality can be a factor.

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• It should be recognized that
• There is no method of storage that can improve
  harvesting poor quality forage.
• High quality forages in the ration can decrease
  the amount of concentrates fed and purchased and
  increase the amount and utilization of forages
  produced on the farm.
• Therefore, if you want high forage quality (to
  support a profitable high forage/low cost dairy
  diet) you have to start harvesting when it is
  high quality.

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Forage Quality Need of Dairy Animals
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Forage Yield relative to Quality at Different
Growth Stages
4
90
3
80
Dry matter yield (tons per acre)
in vitro digestible dry matter
2
70
1
60
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NDF and ADF

• Rules of Thumb
• (based on several thousands samples analyzed at a
  forage lab in 2001)
• Legumes -- 10 diff. between NDF ADF
• Pure grasses -- 20 diff. between NDF ADF
• Within species -- NDF ADF highly correlated.

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NDF and ADF

• NDF solubles are mostly starches, sugars, crude
  protein and fat that are considered to be 98
  digestible.
• Thus, as NDF increases, NDF solubles decrease.
• Therefore, the total NDF content of forage is the
  major determinate of overall forage quality and
  digestibility.
• Ex a 40 NDF forage will be more digestible than
  a forage containing 60 NDF.

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Alfalfa Quality by Maturity
Alfalfa leaves contain 70 of the protein and 90
of the vitamins and minerals, as compared to the
stems.
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Relative Forage Quality (RFQ)

• Predicts Animal Performance a little better than
  RFV
• It is based on energy intake estimates relative
  to a standard like RFV was.
• Only differences are that intake is adjusted for
  digestible fiber and that energy is calculated as
  TDN using digestible fiber.
• This calculation allows more meaningful
  comparisons between alfalfa, alfalfa-grass
  mixtures, and grasses.

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For lactating dairy cows

• First two cuttings must be timely to provide
  highest yield of high quality forage.
• Take first cutting at bud stage.
• Take second cutting 28 to 33 days after the first
  cut or mid-bud, whichever is earlier.
• Take subsequent cuttings at 38 to 55 day
  intervals or at 10 to 25 bloom (will increase
  root reserves and stand persistence).
• Forage quality does not change as rapidly in
  later cuttings.
• This slower quality change allows a harvest
  window of 7 to 10 days.

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For other dairy animals

• Cut at 10-20 bloom stage.
• Take the second cutting 28-33 days after first
  cut or mid-bud, whichever is earlier.
• Take subsequent cuttings at 38-55 day intervals
  or at 10-25 bloom.

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Swath Width Cornell Study

• Wide swath haylage dries three times faster than
  narrow swaths.
• Need to be ready to chop much sooner to prevent
  having haylage too dry for fermentation.
• Can lead to forage quality improvements.
• What is mowed today must be in the silo today!
• Only mow what can be merged (or raked) and
  chopped in one day.

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Cutting Height Relative feed value (RFV) of
alfalfa at various cutting heights in small-plot
and field-scale trials at Marshfield, WI during
1999.
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Cutting HeightMilk yield per acre of alfalfa
at various cutting heights in small-plot and
field-scale trials at Marshfield, WI during 1999.
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Cutting Height

• Alfalfa yield and milk yield is highest when
  cutting at the lowest possible height.
• While forage quality declines with lower cutting
  heights, forage yield increases significantly.
• Cut healthy, non-stressed fields at 2 heights to
  achieve maximum dry matter and nutrient yields.
• In stressed stands and where root carbohydrate
  reserves may be low, cutting height should be
  adjusted upward to avoid additional stress or
  plant death.

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Time of Day Harvesting

• Leaf sugar and starch concentrations increase
  from late morning to mid-afternoon when sunlight
  and water are available for photosynthesis and
  growth, then decease overnight.
• It is best to cut alfalfa in the morning to speed
  drying and capture sugars and starch for higher
  quality hay and haylage.

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Proper Particle Size Is Important

• Research indicates that fiber length affects
  forage quality, compaction for proper
  fermentation and roughage value for proper rumen
  function.
• Incorrect fiber length can lead to cows going off
  feed, low fat test, decline in milk production,
  displaced abomasums, laminitis, and liver
  abscesses.
• Silages too coarse cause a separation problem in
  the bunk.
• Effective fiber must be consumed so that proper
  intake is ensured.

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Guidelines for Separator Box Analysis

• Type of feed -------- Screen
  distribution -- by wt. ---------
• Top Middle Bottom
• TMR 7 10 45 55 40 50
• Haylage 15 20 40 50 30 40
• Corn Silage
• Unprocessed
• Processed
• For Top Screen quality of material is most
  important. Cows more likely to eat high quality
  long stem forage vs. cobs and big coarse stems.

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Particle Size Guidelines

• Haylage -
• Theoretical cut is 3/8 with 15-20 of particles
  greater than 1-1 1/2 long.
• This
• provides adequate animal rumen function, and
• is fine enough to pack well for proper
  fermentation.
• Frequently observe the forages and make
  adjustments in harvest cut length to obtain
  desired particle sizes.

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Particle Size Guidelines

• Hay
• If the diet of the milking cow contains ¼ long
  stem hay, then 15 of the haylage should be cut 1
  ½ or longer.
• If the diet of the milking cow contains ½ long
  stem hay, then 10 of the haylage should be cut 1
  ½ or longer.
• However, be careful about specific percentages.
  Often the answer will not be found in the
  calculation, but rather by watching the cows.

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Forage Storage (and Feeding) System?

• There is no one best type for all farm
  situations.
• With proper management, there is little
  difference in silage quality from the various
  types.
• Storing forages on top of one another or in front
  of one another does not allow for the optimal
  utilization of forages. An optimal forage system
  allows for the segmenting of forages by quality.
• Different animals can utilize different quality
  forages more efficiently.

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Forage Storage Management

• The key is to get anaerobic fermentation as soon
  as possible and to reach a pH below 5.0 as
  rapidly as possible.
• The factors that influence this goal -- similar
  for all storage systems.
• Fill as rapidly as possible. This minimizes the
  exposure time to Oxygen.
• Keep knives sharp and cut forage at correct
  length.
• Ensile at correct moisture.
• Spoiled silage affects DMI, digestibility of
  feed, affects the forage mat in the rumen, and
  reduces nutritive value.

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Storage Moisture Recommendations

• Stave silo 55-65
• Oxygen limited silo 50-60
• Bag 55-68
• Bunker/pile 63-68

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Silage Pilesadvantages

• Short or long term storage
• Inexpensive
• From filling through Feedout, DM losses can
  be

Wisconsin Forage Team
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Silage Pilesdisadvantages

• Dry matter losses greater than 50 without proper
  management
• Space requirements
• Possible distance from feeding area

Wisconsin Forage Team
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Covering

• Cover ASAP
• 6 mil plastic
• Tires touching each other
• Seal edges

Wisconsin Forage Team
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Bunker Dimensions

• Bunkers silos must be sized to match the daily
  forage rates to allow adequate face removal
  amounts per day.
• Length
• Depends on amount of feed removed each day and
  number of days needed.
• Size bunkers fill, pack, and cover. Also, helps reduce time
  needed to remove feed from far end of the bunker.
  
• Better to divide into two or more shorter
  bunkers. Allows producer to use multiple bunkers
  to inventory feed.
• Height
• 6 ft minimum height recommended -- to achieve
  proper DM density.
• Width
• Minimum width 2 x width of the packing tractor.

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Density

• High density increases storage capacity, reduces
  silage porosity, which reduces oxidation loss and
  preserves the high quality feed harvested.
• Silage density depends on plant species, crop
  maturity, moisture content, length of cut, silo
  filling method, distribution, compaction

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Density

• DM Loss as influenced by Silage Density
• Density (lbs. DM/cu. Ft DM loss, 180 days ()
• 10 20.2
• 14 16.8
• 15 15.9
• 16 15.1
• 18 13.4
• 22 10.0

U of Wisconsin
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Density

• Bunkers
• Goal a density greater than 16 lbs DM/cu.ft.
• Goal of packing -- to reduce the amount of oxygen
  initially in the pile, and to reduce the rate of
  air infiltration.
• Tractor weight, packing time, layer thickness,
  height of silage, moisture content all affect
  packing.
• Tires of tractor should pass over the entire
  surface before the next forage layer is
  distributed.

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Density

• Bunkers (continued)
• Allow 5 minutes/ton packing time.
• Each load should be leveled in the silo.
• Spread silage in method at 30-40 grade) with blade/loader and
  PACKED!!!
• A heavy packing tractor with a blade for
  distribution and compaction should operate
  continually during filling and pack periodically
  for 2-3 days after filling.

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Density

• Bunkers (continued)
• Continue packing for ½ hour after the last load
  for the day.
• Start packing again the next filling day about ½
  hour before the first load is added.
• U of WI formula divide the pack tractor weight
  by 800 to get tons of silage that can be packed
  per hour. Ex A 40,000 lb tractor can
  pack about 50 tons/hr.

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Density

• Bags
• Density varies by bagging machine and by
  operator.
• The dairy producer must be assured that the
  custom operator is filling the bags properly and
  obtaining the minimum density.

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Shrinkage

• Each step in the process mowing, raking,
  chopping, baling, storing, unloading causes a
  loss of forage dry matter.
• Total losses from cutting to feeding can be
  20-30 of the standing crop DM.
• Herd size and bunker size must be compatible.
• Most losses occur during storage and feed out.

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What is potential loss in these systems?
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Shrinkage

• Minimizing Storage Losses
• Factors affecting losses include weather
  conditions, crops stored, moisture content of
  crops stored, fineness of chop, kind of silo
  used, and the level of management in handling the
  crops and facilities.
• Losses can be as high as 30 to 50 in unsealed or
  poorly sealed silos.
• The dry matter (DM) loss in a properly sized and
  managed bunker is typically in the range of 10 to
  15.

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Shrinkage

• Minimizing Storage Losses (continued)
• In poorly sized or managed bunkers DM losses can
  be as high as 30 - 40.
• In comparison, the DM losses in a well managed
  tower silos range from 2 to 15 with 8 being
  about average.
• When silo filling is complete, cover the silo
  ASAP. Keep it covered for at least 2 weeks to
  minimize undesirable fermentation and spoilage.
• Plastic covers should be protected from punctures
  by rodents, livestock, dogs, cats, and small wild
  animals.

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Shrinkage

• Minimizing Storage Losses (continued)
• Mowing around the silo and bags tends to
  discourage rodents.
• Inspect the plastic periodically for holes and
  fix them.
• Each sq. ft. of surface exposed could result in
  loss of 10 lbs. of silage DM.
• Cover bunker if filling is going to be
  interrupted for more than two days.
• Dry matter loss will more than pay for the cost
  of the plastic and labor.

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• Dont Feed Spoiled Silage --
• Do not try to stretch haylage inventory by
  feeding spoiled silage to the dairy herd.
• The quality of the TMR should not be compromised
  by incorporating spoiled silage into a calculated
  quality ration for the dairy herd.
• Poor quality haylage will give the producer a
  poor quality ration.
• Feeding spoiled silage, even at 5 of the total
  DM, will reduce intake.
• Nutrient digestibility and rumen health will be
  compromised.

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• Dont Feed Spoiled Silage (continued) --
• Spoiled silage can partially or totally destroy
  the forage mat in the rumen.
• Cows will be more susceptible to metabolic
  disorders, DAs, and hoof problems.
• Also means a loss of milk production and/or the
  increased cost of adding nutrients to the ration
  to compensate for the poorer quality.
• Feeding spoiled silage to heifers and dry cows
  has a negative affect on fertility and
  reproductive performance.

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• Remember
• Goals for Forage Harvesting and Storage
• Maintaining forage quality from field to dairy
  animal
• Minimum shrinkage and spoilage
• Excellent dairy animal performance

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Thank you
THE END.
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Observe Fiber Length Frequently

• Ration mixing procedures must be done with the
  goal of what proportions of fiber length the cow
  will end up consuming.
• Factors other than the theoretical cut affect
  particle size, such as moisture content, crop
  stems, orientation of forage to the blade, knife
  sharpness, and setting of knives to the shear
  plate.

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Observe Fiber Length Frequently

• If particle size is being reduced by the silo
  unloader, augers or TMR mixing equipment, a
  somewhat longer theoretical cut may be needed.
  With auger mixers, about 5 minutes of mixing
  should be adequate. Mixing for 15 to 30 minutes
  will result in a TMR that is too fine.
• If your ration on paper appears to meet the
  minimum fiber needs but you are having problems
  with cows going off feed, low fat test, decline
  in milk production, or DAs, laminitis, and liver
  abscesses, then take a close look at the ration
  physical form consumed by the cow.

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Monitor Feed Bunk Regularly

• Silages that are too coarse can be a problem with
  separation in the bunk. Sorting in the bunk
  should not be a problem for hay silages chopped
  to contain 20-25 of the particles over 2 long
  when wilted to 50-70 moisture.
• Pushing, licking and throwing feed may be signs
  that cows are avoiding less palatable
  ingredients.
• Pushing up feed or feeding more frequently
  encourages cows to return to the bunk to consume
  more ration.

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Summary

• Test for forage quality and check for particle
  size on a regular basis.
• Its what the cow is actually consuming that is
  important.

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Feedout

• More than 3 probably should be removed when a
  tractor-mounted bucket loader is used, because it
  tends to leave the silage face rather ragged.
• Feed at least 4 of corn silage and 6 of haylage
  a day in warm weather to reduce losses due to
  poor aerobic stability.
• Slow feedout rates allow more time for losses due
  to the growth of yeasts, molds, and aerobic
  bactaeria. This in turn decreases DMI.
• Loose silage is more porous and allows greater
  air infiltration, increasing the rate of aerobic
  growth.

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Feedout

• Maintaining a firm face and cleaning up loose
  silage that has fallen to the floor of the silo
  on feedout will help minimize aerobic losses.
• To remove silage from a bunker, use the edge of
  the bucket on a front-end load to pull the silage
  down the face of the silo. Then scoop and load.
• Silage should never be scooped from the face as
  this allows more air to enter, resulting in
  unnecessary spoilage.

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• Feedout
• Keep Smooth Face
• Consider Facer

Wisconsin Forage Team