Battle of the bales: dry hay versus balage
- ZISK APP
- Jul 22
- 1 min read
Baled silage, or baleage, has gained popularity across the southeastern United States, especially in seasons with frequent rainfall events. Baleage is stored forage that is baled between 40% and 60% moisture, wrapped in plastic to create an oxygen-free environment, and allowed to ferment before feeding. It can be an efficient method for storing excess forage, but there are advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional dry hay production. Hence, the battle of the bales.
Recognizing the trade-offs of both practices, the following is a summary of what producers must consider before implementing baleage production on their farm.
Round one: inputs
Dry hay only requires standard forage harvesting equipment. These tools will vary by region but should generally include a mower, tedder, rake, and baler. Ideally, a mower with a conditioner will be used to speed the drying process. Flail, impeller, or tine type conditioners work best for fine-stemmed grasses like bermudagrass or ryegrass. Mowers with roller or crimper-type conditioners are preferred for thick-stemmed grasses like sorghums or millet and legumes like alfalfa. The benefit of using a mower conditioner and a tedder is synergistic, meaning that the reduction of drying time achieved when operating both implements exceeds that of each individual implement. This is especially important in the humid Eastern states.
May 15 2026 08:00 AM
By Lisa Baxter
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