Silage vs haylage

[onthehoof]

So haylage is supposed to be the best stuff for top racehorses but not so good for cattle whereas we are told silage is better for cattle but no good for horses?? point being why do people make silage rather than haylage for cattle, we have never made either by the way

 

[Fendt65]

When its too dry its no good,when it’s too wet its no good.(probably should be in the ooooohhhhh thread).

 

[Spencer]

Silage is easy to make.
Haylage requires slightly more discipline and input.

That would be my take on it.

 

[upnortheast]

In a clamp silage dryer than ( argue if you like ) 45% DM can be difficult to compact and as a result can be prone to heating. Baling and wrapping gets round this problem.
I know nothing about horse nutrition but the silage / haylage quality is hugely dependant on the quality of the grass that was cut. Shite in. Shite out

 

[clod hopper]

Silage more often than not is made with less mature grass. Haylage is hay that's wrapped before it has dried or before it rains on it to spoil it. It has more dry mater but less energy than silage normally.

 

[Matthew Britton]

In my experience, silage is cut just before heading, haylage just after heading and hay a little bit older than haylage. I have to say though that I am limited in my experience as I never quite topped 1000 big bales of horse haylage sold per year and now only make around 500 round bales for my cows with the rest as hay.

 

[bobk]

Haylage needs to be low protein

 

[Matthew Britton]

Haylage needs to be low protein

Not necessarily, it depends on the market. The problem with the terms silage and haylage is that everyone has a different take on what they mean, just what I have noticed discussing it over the years.

 

[bobk]

Not necessarily, it depends on the market. The problem with the terms silage and haylage is that everyone has a different take on what they mean, just what I have noticed discussing it over the years.

In my book silage is for production , haylage keeps them alive

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Don't confuse cow /sheep haylage being dry silage with horse haylage

 

[deleted user 837354]

I was under the impression that there as nothing wrong with haylage and if you made it right it could be rocket fuel. I've certainly seen dairy cows fed haylage (as part of a ration, not the entirety) and they did well on it. I guess the only problem with it being that drier than silage would be that it limited intakes a bit but perfect for someone not looking for every extra few percent extra performance. I don't see the point in hauling water, if you can make hay or haylage, go for it?

 

[neilo]

Don't confuse cow /sheep haylage being dry silage with horse haylage

^This. Horse haylage is generally old grass that's gone to seed (often IRG) when it's cut. The feed value is already departed by then, so why would anyone expect it to be good feed for a ruminant? You would expect to graze grass at that stage and do anything more than fill their bellies.
Young grass, cut before heading, but baled dry is absolute rocket fuel for ruminant rations. Far better than filling their bellies, and the wrap, with green water. Baled 'silage' should only be made when the weather means you won't be able to get it any drier, IMO.

 

[aled1590]

In a clamp silage dryer than ( argue if you like ) 45% DM can be difficult to compact and as a result can be prone to heating. Baling and wrapping gets round this problem.
I know nothing about horse nutrition but the silage / haylage quality is hugely dependant on the quality of the grass that was cut. Shite in. Shite out

This years 1st cut pit that was chopped 2nd of June in that drought we had analysed few weeks back at 55%DM, 10.5ME, 16% protein. Lovely leafy grass and mixed with 2nd cut that was nearer 35% DM it’s going down too well with the cattle! Can’t stand wet juicy silage

 

[willie waver]

I was under the impression that there as nothing wrong with haylage and if you made it right it could be rocket fuel. I've certainly seen dairy cows fed haylage (as part of a ration, not the entirety) and they did well on it. I guess the only problem with it being that drier than silage would be that it limited intakes a bit but perfect for someone not looking for every extra few percent extra performance. I don't see the point in hauling water, if you can make hay or haylage, go for it?

when I milked in a byre, I used to feed haylage as it was easy to fork into them. yields were rubbish but the milk solids were sky high