Jim Booth and Aquidneck Farms featured in story on baleage

Baleage is fermented hay. In damp regions with less chance of speedy drying and high quality hay production, baleage is a good alternative. Most farmers can get one to two additional cuts off the same fields each season.

Jim Booth of Aquidneck Farms in Portsmouth, RI said farmers making baleage typically cut and gather baleage 12 to 24 hours after cutting.  Round bales must be wrapped in plastic within eight hours of baling. This prevents overheating and reduced quality.

Bales should be stored on their flat ends to reduce settling, air infiltration and reduced quality. Booth said, “We have reduced our waste to 5% from 20% eight years ago.” The farm’s Kuhn Knight VT 132, Vertical Maxx® twin auger feed mixer saves another 10%. Booth said the feed alleys are completely empty each winter morning.  [Read more here.]