DM Estimating Table

[Silver]

I found this interesting table for estimating bale density / DM. I have always struggled to compare baleage bales to dry hay.
If I figure my bales on the second highest density rating I'm feeding my cows 27 lbs of dry matter per day. And about 5 lbs of that is ripgut. And since it warmed up they are cleaning it up as well as they had been. I might try dropping them to an estimated 22lbs DM one day then 27 the next for a few days.

 

[gcreekrch]

Had a neighbor that claimed all a cow needed was 22 lbs of hay per day. He proved the fact with the 75% that lived to green grass.

 

[Silver]

Had a neighbor that claimed all a cow needed was 22 lbs of hay per day. He proved the fact with the 75% that lived to green grass.

Yikes.
I've seen it too. Guys will hear that a cow can get by on 24 lbs DM and not know the difference between DM and As Fed.

 

[daneg]

In my experience if a full size bale 5x6 or 4x6 weighs 1600lbs, a silage bale from the same baler at 5' height @40-50% moisture is very close to 1600lbs. Also the silage/baleage bales will be the same mileage feed wise as the dry bale due to Higher feed quality(more leaves) and less waste.

 

[Silver]

In my experience if a full size bale 5x6 or 4x6 weighs 1600lbs, a silage bale from the same baler at 5' height @40-50% moisture is very close to 1600lbs. Also the silage/baleage bales will be the same mileage feed wise as the dry bale due to Higher feed quality(more leaves) and less waste.

I've always felt that a silage bale would feed nearly a many cows as a dry bale but not quite.

 

[daneg]

It is pretty darn close, I usually feed a little more than enough so I call them equal and everyone is happy.

 

[gcreekrch]

Our hay bales are 5x6, silage bales are 5x5 regardless on moisture content. Silage bale is roughly 64% volume of hay bale so we feed 2/3 number of cows per bale as we would hay.

 

[Ouachita]

Our hay bales are 5x6, silage bales are 5x5 regardless on moisture content. Silage bale is roughly 64% volume of hay bale so we feed 2/3 number of cows per bale as we would hay.

All this math……this early in the morning.
Don'tchu Canadians have some different measure of percentage?

I need more cows