Volume XI Number 4 August 2003

Modern Processed Hay..."Good Feed"



Comments and report from James I. Sprague, Livestock Nutritionist

Advantages of Processed Hay
Processed hay, like any new development, has evolved over time. Modern hay processors can fit a niche for small or medium size feedlots and stock farms. For larger feedlots, even though tub ground hay will continue to be the major source of the dry roughage, processed hay can be used for starting cattle rations and emergency roughage feeding. Here are a few features of processed hay.

  • Can be used for starting cattle.
  • Produces less fines and a more uniform cut than tub ground hay.
  • Will process silage from a round bale.
  • Used for hay feeding on pastures and corn stalk fields.
  • Can provide emergency forage processing.
Tub Ground Hay, the Standard for Comparison
One of the advantages of tub ground hay is the rapid speed of the grinding process. Another advantage is the uniformity of the mixed ration. The small particles of ground hay mix well with grain, supplement, liquids and silages. The disadvantage of the tub ground hay is the lack of uniformity of the particle size (reduction of the roughage factor) and the loss of leaves during the hammer milling process.

Sliced Hay vs. Ground Hay
One of the interesting developments of hay processors is the slicing action of a rotor and cutting knives as the hay is processed. One of the products being offered to feedlots and stock farms is the DewEze RotoSlicer, made by Harper Industries at Harper, Kansas. The slicing action produces a more uniform product. The uniformity of the particle size produces an outstanding "roughage factor."

Less Wastage with Processed Hay
One of the problems of the round bale system has been the feeding out of the forage. Many times the round bale is put in a circular feeder. This leads to considerable wastage around the feeder. With the use of the hay processor, the forages can be placed in feed bunks or fed under a hot wire. This method not only helps prevent wastage, but assists in controlling the volume fed to meet production goals and condition of the livestock.

Feeding Round Bale Silage
In the May-June issue of Feed*Lot Magazine (Vol. XI, No. 3, 2003, page38-39), we reported "Silage in a Bag-Good Stuff." However, silages in round bales are difficult to feed. A slicing hay processor can reduce forage length to four to five inches. Using a hay processor is an excellent method to prepare this forage for either a complete mixed ration or feeding in feedbunks or under hot wires. Feed wastage can be reduced to a minimum. ©









  

   
   

   


   

   		
  
   



  

    



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