Tile drainage is an integral part of the program. Weather forecasts for the Mid West USA obtained via satellite through a subscription service are used as the basis for planning forage harvest since much weather tracks from the mid-west through here. Four good days are required to harvest the first cut forage stored as haylage. Harvest equipment is owned and includes a 12 foot hydra swing haybine. The second cutting is baled a little damp and usually in the evening, to preserve those leaves, stored on a mow drier in small square bales to preserve the protein.
Third crop is preserved in the silo.
With Certified seed, proper fertility, excellent drainage, satellite weather service and modern equipment we are able to put in quality silage. We obtained that in first, second and third cut forage, based on regular forage testing. A number of years ago, touring Europe, we noticed some producers using molasses to treat their silage stacks. This put additional sugar in the silage and was to improve fermentation and keeping of the silage. Following the finding of a supplier in Ontario, in 1996, we decided to treat haylage.