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Dalton, OH | Just a couple things I do and have learned in this business. Most of the hay I wrap is from 25%-40% mositure. True silage bales would be from 45%+ on moisture. A bagger will work fine on the higher mositure bales and will be a cheaper alternative. I individually wrap 3x3x6 foot bales with a McHale 998 wrapper. It wraps about 1 bale every 30-40 seconds depending on layers of plastic. My wrapper can wrap in the field or stationary. One person with a skidsteer can easily keep up with the wrapper when it is stationary and in my operation this is a far more efficient way of doing things because we pick the bales up with a stack truck in the field.. I can wrap down to dry hay and it will not have any mold in it. If you try this with a bagger, you will get some mold, especially on the outsides of bales. I sell 99% of my hay and can't afford any mold and need the convenience of moving them a few times without having to feed them right away. No matter what your preference is on storage, make sure you make a tight, square bale as this will keep the air pockets out of the hay. In this part of the country, "sweet hay", the name we give to hay wrapped under 40% moisture, is many times substituted for dry hay and it works better. Just my thoughts and experiences. Any questions just post them. I wrap about 3,000 square bales a year here in Ohio and also dry bale another 3-4,000.
Scott (OSU)
Edited by Scott (OSU) 10/19/2006 19:07
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? for Josh A about silage bales
