Wilted Hay Considered Better Than Direct-Cut Silage, Smith Says
By Max Smith The preferred method of en- siderable, and pollution or fly feed additive per ton of foiage but its use has not yet been
County Ag Agent siling hay-crop forage is to wilt pioblems result when forage ensiled, then a recommended cleared by FDA
Some sad experiences with the material to a moisture level containing over 70 per cent cnemical preseivative should be It is impoitant to harvest for
overwilted forage and too great range of 60 to 65 per cent, or at moisture is ensiled in upright used along with a weighted age at the proper stage of
a dependency on weather have most 55 to 70 per cent silos Thus, about 200 pounds plastic cover. maturity and to fill silos as
combined to discourage some In some cases, it may be of a good feed additive such as The only chemical preserva- rapidly as possible Small grams
fanners from making haylage necessaiy to wilt as low as 40 ground grain should be added tives upon which we have such as bailey, wheat, or oats
This situation coupled with per cent moisture to overcome per ton of direct-cut foiage adequate information to base should be cut soon aftei heading
promotional efforts by some unloading or freezing problems stored in upright silos No lecommendations aie sodium and when in the blossom stage,
concerns marketing silage pre- in silos with bottom unloadeis chemical preservatives should be metabisulfite and Kylage, a mix- All grasses aie best when cut at
servatives has increased interest If wilted forage is to be stored needed when a good feed addi- ture of sodium nitrite and cal- heading time, alfalfa should be
in a return to direct-cut silage in a horizontal silo, a moisture live is used at a level of 100 to cium formate These recom- cut in the bud to early bloom
A shift from one extreme to lei el of 65 to 70 per cent prob- 200 pounds per ton mended preservatives may be stage, and red clover is at peak
the other should be discouiaged ably should be used No chemi- The use of slightly wilted or used at a late of about eight feeding value when in the eaily
in most cases, we (in extension) cal pieservatives or feed addi- direct-cut forage is better adapt- pounds pei ton of forage en- blossom stage ,
continue to discourage the dnset- tives should be necessary when ea to well-made and well-located sued Chop foiage as close to one*
cut method of making grass ferage is wilted as outlined here horizontal silos If one does not Formic acid has been shown quarter inch as possible.
Sl 7 a ge. losses can be con- use about 100 pounds of a good to be an effective preseivative especially wilted material
The famous Bilt-Rite “Double Dipped” galvanized-after-weldmg is now a standard feature of all Big Dutchman poultry cages ... not an
“extra option” at “extra cost,” but an mtregal part of all the drum-welded portions of every Big Dutchman cage. That includes the bottom,
top, back and partitions. All but the heavier gauge cage fronts. Only Big Dutchman offers “Double Dipped,” the process that galvanizes single
strands of wire before they are welded into mesh. The process includes, “pressure wiping” of the strand as it is galvanized, providing a smooth,
bubble free coating. The wire is then welded, and galvanized again to coat the entire mesh with a smooth, durable protective covering of long
life zinc. “Double Dipped” cage wire is absolutely guaranteed against rust for ten years. We provide more as “standard equipment” than
other cage manufacturers offer as “extras.” Compare quality before you decide on a cage system for your next poultry house. See Big Dutch
man for plans and prices.
guaranteed for 10 years
BIG DUTCHMAN
EASTERN BRANCH
215 Diller Ave., New Holland, Pa. 17557
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A Division of U.S. Industries, Inc.
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 22,1971 —
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Phoue 354-5168
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