in field silage clamp

[4course]

looking for info about making a field clamp possibly using big bales , weve taken a bit more land @30 acres that has grass on it that is not suitable for our hay/haylage customers. Been thinking about making a temporary clamp as dont really want to make into rounds or squares due to cost , it will more than likely be a one off, end use would be our own stock. We have plenty of straw and a good local contractor. Its been a long time since ive made clamp silage. ,We have a suitable easy access area that is not near any drains or ditches so no enviroment problems if ive read the blurb right, any help in how to go about making a clamp would be appreciated

 

[Poorbuthappy]

When I tried using big bales as clamp walls it ended up with a lot of waste. A mole heap style would be better. Even so I suspect unless you're very careful the waste would cover the extra cost of bales.

No doubt others have had more success.

 

[neilo]

Any AgBag contractors nearby?

 

[michael N123]

It’s only 30 acre bale an wrap it

 

[4course]

Any AgBag contractors nearby?

unfortunately not and probably not cost effective

When I tried using big bales as clamp walls it ended up with a lot of waste. A mole heap style would be better. Even so I suspect unless you're very careful the waste would cover the extra cost of bales.

No doubt others have had more success.

bales arnt a problem as we would turn into muck at a later date once used, we already do that with top/bottom bales if necessary its just organic matter

It’s only 30 acre bale an wrap it

could do but already have plenty to do in three cuts so looking for an alternative.

thanks all so far

 

[Wilberforce]

Done it plenty of times. Make a long thin clamp, so you are not trafficking the same area for long in the winter load out period. Make sure the buckrake man can dome if over not just push it off the sides. Those who can make thier own clamp shape not are few and far between. If possible make the clamp paralle to a hardstanding track, so the tractor and trailer/feeder wagon wont have to go into the field.

Most important factor would be to let the EA your plans and get their approval before you start.

Ag bags are expensive for what you get.

 

[dowcow]

We did it once using square bales to make a clamp. Didn't try it again, as bales are just more versatile. It worked okay though, obviously a bit of waste and a bit of mess as it was a wet year.

 

[Still Farming]

Big wedge on hardstanding better.

 

[HarryB97]

Have a friend who does this regularly and gets on well with it but is on very light land. They don't use anything for walls just sheet the heap after and use bales to weigh the sheet down all around the edge and some on top as well looks like it works well.

 

[Bury the Trash]

unfortunately not and probably not cost effective


bales arnt a problem as we would turn into muck at a later date once used, we already do that with top/bottom bales if necessary its just organic matter



thanks all so far

I think what PBH meant was using big bales as sides to contain the clamp didn't work too well.... and he was recommending a dome shape where the sides are incorporated in with the rolling of the whole thing and just sheeted with the main sheet...…sort of not having shoulders at all...
thats not quite like the old 'Dutch wedge' tho I guess.
still could use small bales or unrolled round bales to weigh sheet down I guess instead of tyres. some v poor quality hay wouldnt be such a waste....

 

[Lofty1984]

Don’t mess about with bales just make a mound I’ve done it a few times for one customer and as long as you roll the sides you should be fine

 

[Bury the Trash]

so whats the narrowest anyones made one … because if you can roll sideways.... as well as long ways.. .only.asking because im same as op, only I want as narrow a face as poss.....

 

[Lofty1984]

Depends how brave you are
Don’t necessarily have to roll the sides length ways as long as you can go up and over side to side your fine.

 

[Lofty1984]

 

[Bobthebuilder]

if it's just 30ac get it baled n wrapped, far less waste, stack where you want and bring home at your leisure when using it

 

[Nearly]

if it's just 30ac get it baled n wrapped, far less waste, stack where you want and bring home at your leisure when using it

Costs a touch more but cleaner.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I think what PBH meant was using big bales as sides to contain the clamp didn't work too well.... and he was recommending a dome shape where the sides are incorporated in with the rolling of the whole thing and just sheeted with the main sheet...…sort of not having shoulders at all...
thats not quite like the old 'Dutch wedge' tho I guess.
still could use small bales or unrolled round bales to weigh sheet down I guess instead of tyres. some v poor quality hay wouldnt be such a waste....

Yes I wasn't referring to waste in the bales, rather the clamp. Bales aren't a solid wall and allow air in, hence preferring the 'mole heap' or dome.
But personally would still go for bales not clamp.

 

[milkloss]

Are these in field clamps with no base? Perhaps a long clamp made alongside some hard standing so can bite silo off the side and not drive off the hardstanding much. A small face sounds great but if not on concrete could be a mess driving up a long thin alley to get to the face by the end of winter?

Yes I wasn't referring to waste in the bales, rather the clamp. Bales aren't a solid wall and allow air in, hence preferring the 'mole heap' or dome.
But personally would still go for bales not clamp.

Didn’t use side sheets then?

 

[Nearly]

Are these in field clamps with no base? Perhaps a long clamp made alongside some hard standing so can bite silo off the side and not drive off the hardstanding much. A small face sounds great but if not on concrete could be a mess driving up a long thin alley to get to the face by the end of winter?




Didn’t use side sheets then?

A side sheet against a straw bale soon becomes useless.

 

[Speedstar]

Make a mound that is 14 meters from side to side roll it well then put a 16 meter wide sheet over it & spread muck on the sheet right over the lot with a harry west side spreader , will work great with no waste at all, better than any agbag