Why is necessary to dry the rotobales ?
Even the weather conditions are optimum, collection of forage with the rotobaler
after traditional haymaking in the field does not ensure adeguate preservation:
when the rotobales are subsequently used after storage, the hay is often
discoloured and mould is present to varying extents.
To obtain good quality hay with the rotobaler, it is essential to complete
drying of the rotobales before storage or consumption.
When should the rotobales be dried ?
- Forage with "normal" humidity, i.e. 25-30%
With haymaking in the field, the humidity of the forage rarely drops below
25-30% and even this level is sufficient to affect the quality of the hay
during storage. Drying of the rotobales prevents quality deterioration while
ensuring minimum process times and therefore limited energy costs.
- Forage harvested early, with 35-40% humidity
At these humidity levels, excellent resultsare obtained as processing of the
forage in the field is reduced to a minimum and the leaves are preserved in
perfect condition in the bales. Process times depends on the type of hay.
Results !
Better hay is obtained not only with lucerne, which is easier to handle, but
also with stable field grass (lasting up to 5 years) and other botanical
varietes. The dried rotobales ensure high quality hay due to:
- Absence of mould
- Absence of fermentation in the forage
- More leaves
- High proteic content
- Limitation of mechanical collection losses
- High saving of meals
