{"id":11175,"date":"2021-12-18T09:32:06","date_gmt":"2021-12-18T09:32:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=11175"},"modified":"2021-12-18T09:32:07","modified_gmt":"2021-12-18T09:32:07","slug":"hay-baler-vs-corn-silage-baler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/hay-baler-vs-corn-silage-baler\/","title":{"rendered":"Hay Baler Vs Corn Silage Baler [Side By Side]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you\u2019re shopping for farm equipment, it\u2019s important to understand what you\u2019re getting yourself into. Knowing the differences between a hay baler vs corn silage baler is one distinction you\u2019ll need to make.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I Use a Hay Baler for Baling Corn Silage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Can
Hay Baler<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before we delve deeper into the differences between hay balers and corn silage balers, it\u2019s important to answer a question that a lot of people have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you use a hay baler<\/a> for other tasks, like baling corn silage? If the answer is yes, then that\u2019s good news because it means you can cut back on the long list of other equipment you might need to purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the answer is more complicated than a simple yes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue with baling corn silage (or silage of any type) is that it\u2019s much wetter than what you would normally bale. So while you can use a hay baler to bale corn silage, there\u2019s a good chance that the wet forage will rot – that is, if it even stays in the bale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are balers that are designed specifically to handle the task, which is called baleage. In this process, each bale is wrapped in airtight plastic. This allows fermentation to occur within the bale – something that would happen in a traditional covered pit or silo, too. Most baleage is made with hay but you could also use corn as long as it is properly chopped. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hay Baler vs. Corn Silage Baler – the Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Corn
Corn Silage Baler<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here are some key differences between hay balers and corn silage balers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Function<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hay balers are meant to bale dry hay, while corn silage balers are used for silage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the difference between the two? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hay is simply dried grass – usually with a moisture content of 12%. Silage has a moisture content of up to 60%. While the latter can<\/em> be stored in bales, it\u2019s usually not. Instead, it\u2019s compacted and stored in airtight conditions without being dried. Here, it is allowed to ferment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hay can be covered with plastic to keep the elements off of it, but it doesn\u2019t have to be. Silage is always covered tightly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silage can feed all kinds of animals, just as hay can. Cattle can eat both types of feed. However, silage has a higher energy content so it can go a bit further on the farm. It is more easily digested as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to have a corn silage baler in order to produce corn silage. However, having a corn silage baler is helpful, offering many advantages over storing silage in silos. It offers animals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n