What kind of feeding system do I need to minimize losses?
Knowing feeding losses is essential to evaluate any feeding system, independent of type of stored forage. Some studies have shown up to a 50% loss of the forage when large round baleage packages were fed to cattle without placing the bales in a ring feeder. Use of an elevated hay wagon can reduce this loss to 10-20%. Losses can be reduced to below 10% using a ring feeder or a cone type ring feeder. When feeding whole baleage packages to any species, it is best to feed a sufficient number of animals that will eat the entire bale within about two days. Baleage bales may also be integrated into rations by grinding and mixing.