how long after being baled can you use haylage?

Answer 1

First off, you don't bale haylage. If you bale hay (field dried) you can use it immediately. Haylage is stored in a silo with a desired moisture content and it basically undergoes a partial fermentation process that preserves it so it can be used all winter long. That process takes a couple of weeks to complete, but I'm not sure if you can feed it right away, or as it's curing, or how long you have to wait. I'd imagine you can start using it right away.

Answer 2

haylage is baled hay wrapped in bags similar to silage but with a lower moisture content. You should be ok to use it after 2-3 weeks if you are desperate but I prefer to leave it a month to be safe. It all depends how well the haylage was made in the first place & the weather conditions when it was cut. Just make sure it's not too wet & there are no mould patches

Answer 3

Actually if you plactic wrap big hay bales baled with the hay a bit wet, they are baled haylage (often called baleage in my neck of the woods). So a two fold answer: dry HAY can be fed right away
HAYLAGE (ad so presumabley baleage) ideally should go through a "heat" & finish fermentation ('bout 2 weeks) before beeing fed. That being said there has been more than one farmer with one silo who filled the silo & started feeding right away and trough the fermentation. You can much more likely get away with it if you feed the haylage as only part of the diet & make sue you add some bicarb to the feed.

PS remeber it's in the fist two weeks that there is risk of "silo gass" forming DON"T go in the silo if there is a brownish haze visable

Answer 4

haylage normally isnt baled what are you using it for . . .if you just have baled hay you can use it in a couple days.

Answer 5

hay can be used straight away but haylege needs 4 - 6 weeks