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ontario | You don't state how many acres your doing but unless it is a large acreage your pro's will never justify the equipment costs. For the investment your talking you could buy a baler and wrapper and have a custom business on the side. The part of better digestibility is false. Yes chopped feed is more palatable than the same feed as dry hay(long stem) but it does nothing to improve the quality. You will harvest more feed in a high moisture system due to lower field losses but unless stored properly you lose it all and more to dry matter loss at the bunk. Have you factored packing and plastic costs? Its not cheap to do it right. Most farmers have backup plans to deal with a change in weather so don't count on a lot of cheap hay coming your way. Unless you have an immediate need to chop your hay (eg tmr ration) I wouldn't rush this way. Not sure what your feeding this too but if its beef let them use their teeth... they will gain well ,less health problems due to better rumen function as well as much cheaper. I second the baleage comments..a super system for beef. | |
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Chopping Alfalfa
