Early Bale Plus is a buffered propionic acid based liquid preservative for achieving control of aerobic spoilage yeast and mold growth in high moisture feed grains, hay, silage and processed animal feeds. Effective treatment results in greater feed value retention.

Hay Making

Hay making is the oldest method of conserving forage for animal feed. Hay is produced by drying forage using wind and sun to a moisture content at which it can be safely stored. The aims of good hay making are to:

• Harvest the crop at high Digestibility.
• Dry quickly to a safe level for storage.
• Minimize losses due to leaf shatter - molds - yeasts - bacteria - heating

Haymaking problems

• Poor Weather
  Ideal conditions are hot sun - windy - low humidity. To produce 1 ton of hay with a moisture content of 20% requires the extraction of 7 tons of water from 8 tons of fresh forage.

• Crop Maturity
  Young leafy crops, of higher nutritional value are harder to cure than crops allowed to grow to maturity. More mature crops have less nutritional value.

• Feed Losses
  A large proportion of the feed value in hay is in the leaf which can be lost as a result of repeated raking and baling very dry forage causing the leaf to shatter.

• Moisture Level
  Baling at too high a moisture content provides conditions suitable for growth of spoilage organisms, resulting in moldy, dusty hay of lower feed value. Plant respiration continues as the forage utilizes sugar reserves, producing heat, which with that produced by spoilage organisms can result in combustion.

High Moisture Hay Treated with Early Bale Plus

Application Rates

Apply Early Bale Plus at time of processing forage or feed through approved application equipment at the recommended rates. Failure to apply product properly or in sufficient quantity may result in spoilage.

Protocol for Good Haymaking

• Cut at proper digestibility for target use.
• Use a mower conditioner to bruise the crop.
• Turn hay at 40-50% moisture.
• Windrow to maximize wind curing.
• Avoid excessive handling below 40% m.c.
• Bale at 20-25% moisture content.
• Store baled hay with good ventilation.
• Stack bales cut side up to enhance curing.
• Don’t stack round bales end to end.
• Use Early Bale Plus as part of management program.

Contents

Early Bale Plus contains propionic acid, ammonium propionate salts, water and certified color.

Minimum guaranteed propionic acid content is 68%

Early Bale Plus is available in units of 50 pails, 120 lb and 450 lb drums and 2200 lb totes as well as bulk volumes of up to 44,000 lbs.

For further information about Early Bale Plus, please click here