Conserving feed

2 posts
Mon, 02/11/2013 - 14:22 #1

Member for

11 years 2 months
jono
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 02/11/2013 - 14:11

Conserving feed

Had a problem trying to post on Internet Explorer so had to rep-post, hope this works.

We're about to move onto a ~40ha property near Bathurst, NSW. Currently it is separated into 3 paddocks however I want to develop this futher into 6-8 ~5ha paddocks.

I'd like to know what others do on small farms to manage excess feed. I'm not sure that it will be practical to adjust animal numbers (we'll be trading steers to start with) so would be looking at putting paddocks in and out of a rotational plan however until I get this sorted I'd like to also look at potentially hay or silage as well to see if it would be worthwhile (rather than buying in excess feed as 'insurance').

What are the practicalities/other things to consider for small scale hay/silage production? I would be looking at having a contractor cut & bale as necessary but may look at my own equipment as necessary in the future.

Have others pursued similar strategies?

Thanks

Jono

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Thu, 02/14/2013 - 20:09 #2
rogermartyn
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 10/20/2011 - 16:16

Hi Jono

Here's my thoughts

1) You're onto it regarding further subdivision. This will allow better utilisation of any feed grown and help stop fertility transfer (dung and urine concentrating in 'camping' areas) which will undoubtably occur with just 3 paddocks. I suggest you use electric fencing as much as possible with any subdivision, it is much more cost effective. Just make sure you use the very best of gear to ensure the electricity does the work for you. That way you can use smaller posts, have less tension on wires etc saving alot of money compared to traditional post and wire non electrified fencing. At around 8 paddocks, the number of paddocks you're considering sounds about right but make provision to subdivide each of these by three (with temporary electric fencing) so that if necessary, in a good growth season, you could have up to 24 paddocks. This will allow you to keep control of quick growing feed so much easier.

2)

Don't think about getting your own gear for making hay or silage if contractors are available, unless you want to play tractor drivers - some farmers do. At the end of the day, you'll be far better off financially paying a contractor top rates than buying your own gear. The numbers have been crunched so many times now that you can consider this as gospel.

You should probably consider wrapped bales of either hay or baleage (baleage is a lower moisture content form of silage). You will need to factor in owning  your own machinery to feed these out though.

Wrapped bales have the advantage that you can store them for a year or two or even longer and they are reasonably portable,either to use on your own property or even sell.

But to do this successully, they must be well fenced off from stock, preferably alongside a fence line free of trees so that falling branches do not pierce the wrap. A well maintained lectric fence should suffice . The other thing to do is to protect the bales from rhodents. For this it is advisable to lay rat and mouse bait around the bales and service the bait every few weeks. Otherwise rhodents will chew into the bale, eat the seed, and allow moisture to ingress and spoil the contents.

 

Roger

 

 

 

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