Owner`s manual

Additional resources:
Your county agricultural agent
OVERLY MATURE PERENNIALS
Some overly mature alfalfa or clover grass can be partially salvaged by
mixing with less mature forage and ensiling the crop. Although nutritional
value will be low, this is a fast method of removing the crop to ensure a
good second cutting.
Ensile perennials in either conventional upright or temporary trench silos.
To make a trench silo:
♦ Locate the trench where drainage is good.
♦ Design the trench for efficient feeding. A long, narrow, deep trench
results in less feeding loss than a wide, shallow trench.
To make the silage:
♦ Direct cut or wilt to 65 to 70 percent moisture.
♦ Chop fine.
♦ Pack thoroughly.
♦ If available, add 100 to 200 pounds of corn and cob chop per ton of
ensiled nutrients. This will improve fermentation, quality and
palatability.
HAY
To minimize damage to flooded hay crops:
♦ Remove old growth from fields that have not been harvested. This
will encourage a good aftermath crop.
♦ Make this crop into hay or silage.
♦ If crop is silt-damaged, chop it uniformly back onto the field. Then
topdress immediately with fertilizer. You also may want to apply
nitrogen to stimulate legumes as well as grasses. Check with an
agronomist for recommended application rates.
♦ On fields harvested just prior to the flood, make crop into hay or
silage. Then topdress field with fertilizer. Check with your county
agricultural agent for specific recommendations.
♦ If growth is short or yellow, topdress immediately.
Information from: University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, University of Missouri Extension, Pennsylvania State University Cooperative
Extension Service
University of Wisconsin-Extension • Cooperative Extension