Agricultural technology is now developing rapidly in almost all parts of the world. This technology brings positive effects for farming areas. Not all-natural sources are available throughout the years that sometimes confuses the farmers. Agricultural technology develops from the initial process even before planting the seed to post-production. One of the inventions is related to wrapping or simply called haylage wrap.
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What is Haylage Wrap?
We may wonder what haylage is and how it differs from hay in general. Hay ingredients derived from forage plants are preserved by drying and stored in dry form with a water content of 12%-30%. In contrast, haylage produced from wilted grass containing dry matter ranges from 60-70%, the high-quality and nutritious haylage content is for animal feed. That is why many efforts are completed to make sure haylage is being put to maximum use for the farm.
So, why it is needed to be wrapped up? Haylage is a basic need for ruminant animal feed. It is not always easy to get its availability throughout the year. In the dry season, the availability level is far from sufficient for livestock needs, while in the rainy season, it is very easy to obtain and even excess. To provide for the need for forage throughout the year, then excess production in the rainy season should be stored and preserved. That’s why a process of wrapping is needed.
What are the Benefits of Haylage Wrap?
The basic principle of preservation by making hay is by drying forage, either naturally (using sunlight) or using a dryer. However, as the technology grows and the unlimited sunlight availability, the use of a dryer is a good solution. This helps a lot in the production of haylage. The water content should be determined at 12-20%. This is done to avoid the stored forage to fungus. The fungus will damage the quality of the forage preserved into hay. The benefits of this preservation are various.
Besides what we have explained above, other advantages to help the farm continuity. The existence of haylage is the alternation for hay availability. Even the value of the grass or hay is still at 90%. You can give it to the farm without worries since it has high nutrition. The positive impact is also related to the salinity, where the haylage has no dust and spores. However, this fermentation is not recommended to the horse since the horse usually needs feed with higher water content.
How to Handle Haylage
As its purpose is to fulfill the need for feed preservation with high nutrition, not all hay can undergo processing into haylage. The ingredients for making hay depend on the harvest quality. A poor harvest leads to a lot of scattered and wasted forage. If you harvest the forage and don’t store it in a shady and adequate place, its quality will decrease, especially during the rainy season.
The processing of hay into haylage is not always straightforward. Many conditions must be precisely adapted. A too-long drying process will cause nutrient loss and promote fungal growth. Conversely, excessive drying reduces the hay’s quality. At least three requirements exist for hay to be processed into haylage and wrapped:
- Having a smooth texture.
- Harvesting at the beginning of the flowering season.
- Harvesting forage (plants) from fertile areas.
We must test and check these three points before beginning the process. To extend the haylage’s shelf life, it’s necessary to add preservatives. Various preservatives, including sodium chloride (NaCl), propionic acid, and liquid ammonia, are effective. Adding 1-2% NaCl can prevent heat from water vapor content, control microbial activity, and suppress fungal growth.
Haylage Wrap Manufacturer
This process offers significant advantages to our farm. It assists many farmers with production. However, selecting high-quality haylage can be challenging. When you open your browser or smartphone, you will find many types and recommendations. But it’s crucial to wisely select a manufacturer known for good quality haylage wrap. Consider factors like protein level, essential oil contents, fiber, moisture, and other nutrients.
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