Feeding Big bales can be fed at any stage after wrapping. Aim to have big bales consumed within 2 days of unwrapping. Physically remove and discard mouldy bales or parts of bales and do not offer to livestock. Wear an appropriate face mask etc. Use a feeding system that permits ad libitum intake, but prevents silage wastage.
Circular feeders are perfectly successful in many circumstances.
Some problems have occured with feeding bales in slatted floor accommodation. Pen configuration or size may allow whole bales to be presented to animals at the feed face. Using a chopper baler will reduce the risk of cattle pulling silage onto slats and thus into slurry tanks. Bale splitters or unrollers can effectively be used to present the material to animals along the feed face although the former system may require some manual forking of the material. Collect the plastic wrap after removal from the bale, and dispose of it in an environmentally benign manner.