In a message titled "Feeding baylage to sheep and goats" on 4/5/04,
Early Morning Organic Farm wrote:
>I'm wondering if anyone has experience feeding baylage, or haylage,
>to sheep and goats. My father (an ag bag dealer) is trying to
>convince me it is the best way to feed in the winter. Hay bales are
>certainly more convenient for us, but if the feed quality is that
>superior, I might be willing to consider it.
>
>Thanks,
>Laurie
>Early Morning Organic Farm
>Genoa, NY
We have been feeding balage to sheep for about eight years now. As
with any forage, there's the good, the bad, and the ugly.
However, all things being equal, properly made balage will generally
be better feed than dry hay, as there will be less leaf lost. It's
not uncommon for grassy second cut balage to test at 18 to 20 percent
CP.
However, feeding any form of silage to sheep increases the risk of
listeriosis. Any spoiled silage (black and slimey) should be rejected.
Bill Fosher
Amherst, Mass.
