Balage Points

 MT. VERNON, MO.
   Mike Collins, University of Missouri agronomy professor and interim superintendent at the Southwest Center made some good points earlier this month about using high moisture hay (balage) at our Lawrence County Soils & Crops Conference.
   • The ideal moisture level is 45 to 65% for making balage. • Use at least 4 thicknesses of wrap for individual wrapping.
   • The inline system uses about ½ the plastic of individual wrapped bales.
   • Make the bale as dense as possible to exclude air and improve fermentation.
   • Lay down only as much hay one day as you’ll be able to wrap the next.
   • Wrap the bale with plastic twine, untreated sisal twine or netwrap.
   • Patch holes promptly with a special tape, not duct tape.
   • Innoculents are not required to make quality balage. Δ
ELDON COLE: Extension Livestock Specialist, University of Missouri