Learning by my mistakes. Making My First Silage Bales. Can it be done a small scale?

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi.... Sir, Evan thanks you for showing your video homestead beautiful great good job BYE 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋👍👍👍

[@JosePerez-fm6km]

Evan, Nothing works without research and development. You'll never know what works if we don't try. I truly enjoy watching the channel.

[@Ralphcanoeingadventures]

I like how you don't edit out you screw ups. We all learn from our mistakes. I can't wait until you make your wall of shame. I love your channel, because it is REAL! Thank you for all the hard work you do to make your videos. I have a small channel. And I know how much work it is making videos. Thanks!!

[@marcamp5450]

I think we should call it a wall of experience or wall of learning.

[@Ralphcanoeingadventures]

@marcamp5450 so true. I don't have a wall big enough for my screw ups. At 75 I have a lot!!!

[@Hal-wk3ks]

Try using the bush hog to cut it. It should make the material more chopped up. Your idea to use this for silage will work. Stick to it. It will save you some money with the effort.

[@terrihoover5665]

Love the backing up and slamming on the brake's method

[@davidgetchell3633]

That's "Real Redneck Thinking", GOOD JOB !!!

[@pawelmatus]

Yes, me too! Pure genius Evan!!!

[@TomCox-x6b]

@@terrihoover5665 yup! Gravity still sucks!!

[@isaacwalker7863]

Hard to make silage without a silage specific baler. JD calls them silage specials. They’re made to handle that wet material better. They can do dry hay too but handle the wet silage better than a conventional baler.

[@Houston_sides]

Yeah the people who cut our hay have a John Deere 460m silage special they wrap a lot of haylage.

[@kentvankooten3194]

Evan, you may need to rake the material but keep your windrow narrower than the bale chamber. For dry hay you want the sidewall friction to make a nice tight bale, but not on silage. The moisture makes it too tight to fall out. 15:44

[@81carrerasc]

Evan, your honesty is not only refreshing it's inspirational ....... been following your channel for years and your persistence and drive never ceases to amaze. G'day again from Oz.

[@Bowhunters6go8xz6x]

The fermentation process is where bacteria in the plant turns the sap into sugars and that is why cattle like to eat it. What I would try (if you cut more) is to cut as high as you can with your hay mower to cut more leaves and less stalk and the lighter leafy material may sit up on the stalks in the ground to help air dry it underneath before baling.

[@verajamieson8020]

Here in Ireland farmers make silage from grass as our weather seldom alows for hay,they put it in bunks and cover it also they wrap it like you did Evan brush hog it and bale it.☘️🇮🇪👏👏👏👏

[@abbert5553]

Try a rear-mounted bale spear along with your front-mounted Bale spear, pick up the rear one first then the front one.😊

[@mga7649]

Try a path with the bush hog and then bale. It will be chopped some what maybe easier to bale.

[@RoBA7]

Enjoying and being astonished each time! Thanks again! Greetings from Switzerland!

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

I like your videos when we learn from mistakes. I see nothing wrong with experimenting and then advancing from oopses. Thanks for sharing your experiences. 👍👍👍

[@jake22-1]

That is why peoples like you. Try as you go and learn on your way. Good for you man.

[@carolynspaulding6322]

This is exactly what silage is wet corn chopped mixed with a measure of corn and put in silo I think you are on to this excellent.

[@KCAATV]

It is good to see that are slowing down. I have watched your videos for several years and sometimes, I want to yell into TV "SLOW DOWN A GEAR".

[@BlackCatSL]

If may I suggest something. In Europe we use round bale transport forks, for transporting wrapped bales. Basically forks similar to pallet forks but with round pipes so you don't damage wrap. You can make pipes that cover regular forks.

[@hsp6381]

I really love your old Hesston mower. What an amazing machinery it is!

[@bonifacenzogere3026]

Learning through your good work, all the way from Tanzania, East Africa

[@pampilgrim2274]

Hi, Evan! It was a real treat getting to see you live last night. Thanks for the heads up. The podcast was both informative and entertaining.

[@danwilkening888]

I remember as a kid over 50 years ago, my uncle green chopping that for daily feed for his dairy cattle. They loved it!

[@ianbrick910]

Hi Evan, on our farm we milk 1000 cows and 3 years ago we tried baleage like you are. A few things we found out is that you need to either chop it, on the ground to bale or put it on a pile and pack it, have all the knives in on a baler, and the feed is a lot higher quality when baled around 30-40% moisture. Drying that sorgum sudan may take up to 4 days. Hope this helps!

[@I_like_pears]

Agree! Best lessons I ever learned were from mistakes.

[@trevorrowe6231]

Whenever we do sorghum/silage we let it sit for a day or two to dry down just a bit. Still works out perfectly but easier to bale and the moisture isn’t high enough too freeze in the winter

[@BLuigi747]

I think you’re going to want finer cut on your stems for feed quality. You might try a brushhog to mow it down and rake/bale/wrap or windrow/brushhog/rake/bale/wrap to size things up. Like you say it’s an experiment and we’re working with what you have. Excited to see the end results.

[@garystlaske7703]

Very Interesting today..

[@murrayvandyken2714]

Evan You really had me laughing today. Keep it up. From Canada

[@farmerken5925]

Love your videos

[@joerodrigues3816]

As always one more great video my friend and as I always say god bless you and your family and your friends always see you in the next chapter of your journey mate.

[@johnbeam-d3v]

Really good video. Keep learning, it will work out! Hello from Shelby N.C.

[@AfterTheRains]

Some great inventions and innovations have been discovered by accident.

[@ftwtexasstephens9629]

I know this grass was harder to bale, but I really enjoyed watching you learn.

[@MelissaLacy-Cliff]

Evan I like watching you because if you have a good day or bad day you explain your process of doing things. Please keep staying safe!

[@deannaoverstreet4146]

Thanks Evan! I really appreciate you taking us along!

[@MoneypitHomestead]

Hi Evan, another great video. I hope all turns out well for you with these bales. You have so much food for your cows and others if it all works the way you need it to. Have a great evening. Donald and Lisa

[@janpatterson9231]

Evan and Rebecca I found your show about 2 months and I never miss it. Love it. Since you retire I watch ads all the way through . Rebecca you remind me of me hard worker. Good luck like you really need it. Ty

[@tommychew6544]

Try taking only half to 2/3rds on cutting depth horizontally on your cutting path and see how that works. Takes more time but, it's better than having jamming issues. That's some lush wet stuff.

[@wendy833]

I liked seeing the process. It's interesting to see.

[@lucyramos1]

You did an awesome job Evan. Don’t get discouraged. Hands on is the best method of learning. You can calculate or tweak your method of doing your job. I would get a notebook and start writing down your adjustments so that you can have something to refer back to when you have to do that job again. Btw you have the best video footage that I’ve ever seen especially in homesteading. We see your hard work and appreciate it. 😊 Another question how is your garden doing? Did you lose a lot of green bean plants from the heavy down pour? Have a blessed day.

[@dudewilliams6692]

I carry a hay hook in my baling tractor, for those times I plug it. Easier on your hands and gives a better handle to pull. Also, reading these comments, I’ve never done silage bales or anything but I see “you need a chopper” comments multiple times. What about mowing it with his brush hog instead of conditioner? And then raking? Just a thought for guys that want to try it but don’t want to purchase the equipment just yet?

[@AS-tb7kg]

Evan that looks great. Good idea. Good luck.

[@JdanielJones-o1p]

Experience comes from Mistakes😊

[@beck42071]

Thank you for the "learning curve" I had a few good laughs, and learned some stuff myself. I always enjoy your videos.

[@deborahsimmons2414]

Thank you answering my what is silage question. I appreciate it very much, along with other knowledgeable people who also answered it. I hope your experiment works real well. Fermented food is also a very good thing for us humans. Hi to Rebecca, I missed the live last night but it’s next on my playlist. I love watching you and Rebecca. You and Pete are my favs.

[@MsSephrena]

Personally I think you did a great job and learned a lot - Good for you... Thanks for sharing....

[@robertconner5126]

You seem so happy since you retired from your other job. The hay project has been a good one. Thank you for sharing.

[@rock0122]

I think it's awesome what you do , everybody has to start from somewhere and learn by mistakes, now you have the Product you may as well turn it all into sillage and use it.

[@balljar7546]

Farming is always a learning lesson. Great job!

[@rancancookcanoy9768]

Evan very interesting video. Definitely a learning experience for you. Thank you for sharing. Have a great rest of your week.

[@GunClingingPalin]

A little background for folks unfamiliar with the terms Silage, Haylage & Baleage.. There is a lot of info online but here is just a taste from one site. BTW what % moister content did you say you bailed those at? Thanks. "Both baleage and haylage begin with mowing the forage and combining into a windrow typically. The next step is where the differences begin to be more apparent. Haylage is forage chopped using a silage chopper and packed in a bunk, silo, or bag. Some producers may chop right after the mower or allow for some minimal drying prior to chopping to reach a moisture content of 60-70 percent. This is sometimes referred to as the wilt stage and also may be referred to as silage. This is a common moisture for producing haylage although haylage is more commonly chopped at a lower moisture content of 40-60 percent, which also may be called low-moisture haylage. Producing chopped silage is a tried and true method that continues to produce high quality forage with which most producers are knowledgeable or at least familiar. Neighbors or silage crews can usually be found easily and are able to perform all the tasks associated with making silage or haylage. Haylage may not be an option for producers who do not have the equipment needed to feed a silage. In this case, baleage may be a better option, with minor equipment changes needed to feed and with more management flexibility than haylage. Baleage is partially dried forage, preferably 45-55 percent moisture, which is baled and wrapped with at least 6 layers of 1 mil plastic. Monitoring the moisture content is critical in reducing the risk of spoilage once baled. The process of fermentation in baleage is slower and less complete compared to haylage or silage due to a more loosely packed forage (more oxygen), a larger particle size (less available sugars), and lower moisture, typically. The slower fermentation results in a pH higher than that of haylage. A pH of around 5.0 is present in the bales, which results in more challenging preservation during the fermentation process."

[@randallquiring9525]

Two things:1 maybe add something like a door sweep to the windrow shields. 2. If you have trouble getting the string to start, try feeding a small amount of hat/forage to catch the string. That’s something I did when round baling.

[@bonifacenzogere3026]

Great work, keep going Brother

[@funnywolffarm]

This is exciting stuff, despite the issues you may have had - I think this stand will help you budget your animals for years to come. Wonder if you could chop and pack it down eventually to save from all the wrapping. Thanks for the video.

[@jeffreyjohnson8212]

Thanks for sharing your day!

[@randybutler4772]

We live and learn. Thank you for sharing.

[@LindaMartin-n4y]

JudithB Interesting process! My neighbor down the road from the farm had a 300 cow dairy and milked cows with them for a few months. He made silage every summer and put in bunkers with concrete sides. He added mixed grain along with the silage and packed it tight. It was covered with a big tarp with tires on top of the silage.

[@mariesheppard3750]

Love it ,great video again, Thank s Evan,

[@PtHough]

Hope all goes well, no doubt time will tell. 😊

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks for posting Evan

[@joshuasherman9967]

Thatll be yummy stuff! I think it would be cool if you did a couple bales withe the brushog to see if it makes a more chopped up silage. Very cool vid!

[@gophersk]

Thanks again Evan. Enjoyed as usual.

[@darellsunderlin4670]

I would highly recommend getting a flatbed trailer to haul hay, save money , fuel , wear and tear, and time and haul once or twice . 😊

[@dougdobbs]

Great job! You made an honest effort and reported your findings. No scholar or scientist could ask for more. :)

[@sarahbeeler2999]

Silage is a great option! Keep up the good work! We enjoy your channel!

[@jerrygibs8120]

Silage is a good feed. I hope that you'll be able to make it happen. The Sudan looks good in your field and the animals seem to like it. Pigs may prefer it too?. Praying that you will find a solution. I have confidence that you will. Blessings of safety, discernment, peace and success in His Holy Name. ☝🙏🙌💪👊

[@ardurbin2]

Need to allow 2-3 days to dry, cut early day 1, dry 3 days, bale late day 3 ,or day 4. You have to much moisture, those bales will be peeing all over the ground as they ferment. 👍

[@groundspeed3954]

Evan, you wore me out today. Making silage looks like a TON of work! I know you are safety conscious . . . but be careful working with that heavy equipment.

[@derekhutt9763]

I cut 8ft stuff in rain and baled and wrapped the next day come January it was still leaking out liquid beef cattle went crazy for it .

[@ronniejenkins4633]

I watched the video and I was thinking that if you were going to do that you should have cut it between knee high and waist high, better feed, like you said you were experimenting , I enjoyed the video you are not afraid to try something different.

[@peterpeif7066]

Hi Evan, this kind of bale silage will not be a high quality silage. Because of the rigid stems and long parts of the green grass.. The whole material is too rough. It would be better you mow it down, let it dry for a day or two, then swathing and chopping it (with a external chopper). Than you make a silage pit and cover it up. 6 weeks later you will find a high quality fodder for your livestock.

[@paulsanders1373]

Yes you really need a chopper for this task.

[@jackiebinns6205]

Actually this is fact 🎉

[@danielthomason5685]

If he had a baler with knives it would be fine....but without....just wasted feed

[@richardkarpensky1232]

I think if make heavier bales you might break the front wheel off

[@boeroe45]

I agree. Silage can be a good idea, but not like this.

[@suecrothers9041]

Enjoy your videos! Hopefully this turns out to be good shiledge

[@jamesmorrison1884]

Hello Evan enjoyed your video. Be interesting to see how this works out. I would imagine that they would be warm to the touch few days. Have a good day thanks.

[@jackg.1759]

Great warnings about the microwave tested. Thanks Evan

[@Dan-qy1rg]

Part of being a farmer is learning new stuff and from your mistakes. I do only regular hay, but I have looked into silage or haylage and just couldn't justify the added cost at that time, but I am intrigued by it. Good luck with those bales, I'm sure you'll be keeping an eye on the fermentation process!

[@JoeWoolley-rf5fq]

Hey Evan. Chop that stuff up with the bush hog then bail it. . You’re going to ruin that bailer . Good luck. 👍👍👍👍

[@rodharrison3608]

If it were me i would have a flail chopper( used for chopping green feed for cattle). The day after cutting with haybine, open the back of flail chopper and cut again. Then wait for it to dry to desired moister.

[@stubbi]

Hey Evan, as much as I enjoy this channel heres another very important tip: Balers usually have cutting knife attachments when baling for silage. Those shred the silage down to more managable pieces (usually the size a forage harvester would chop it down to, so about 1inch usually). If you do not have that kind of baler I would suggest not trying to bale it. You will not produce high quality feed as the woody stalks will not ferment properly in the mix. Better to ask a local farmer that has such equipment to bale it for you. It will save you tons of trouble and issues eventually with your equipment.

[@bradleyschneider3871]

Suggestion..next year plant some corn then make siledge out of the corn just when the corn is still moist like sweetcorn ,need a stock chopped blow it into you wagons you used to have feed in only problem is getting it out then put silage in a bunker just like you're compost pile bunker cove well then scoop out as needed,thats real silage we used to make hayledge also!,usually silage was mainly used to feed large quantities of beef and or milk cows! Pretty sure you can also buy them large covers looks like a long pillow white or black there 100ft long

[@Masseyman471]

It's definitely a learning curve, a tip I have, see if you can find or build a 3 point mounted bale spear, and put one bale on the back of your tractor and one on the front, That will add your extra ballast.

[@PeterWenzel-yn7fn]

Waving a hand from texas

[@gregg3666]

I spent 3 years trying and adjusting. Finally, found planting SUPER think keeps the stems smaller. Second, I bought a Kubota BV5160 silage special baler. It chops bales and can handle whatever I throw at it. I used a Hesston Rounder 5540 the first 2 years, and it was just too much for it. I put a 150 horse tractor on the Kubota bales, making 54-inch bales and average a bale every 75 seconds. I make around 6000 bales a year, and I can never remember slugging the baler. This thing just eats everything. I usually cut the Sudax mid moring and bale it the following afternoon. About 30 hours later. I also mounted a hopper on top and sprinkled about 3 bushels of shelled corn in the bale to ferment along with the hay. I have 15 round bale feeders in every lot and only have to feed cows once a week. I have raised cattle for almost 50 years and this is the best method i have figured out so far. I just got tired of silos and unloaders having to feed everyday. Bunker silos are a little better but I still had to feed every day. In central Illinois sometimes in the middle of a cold spell it is hard on equipment cold starting every day. This lets me pick the days I have to fight the cold. Now all I have to do is check on them on the bad days.

[@kathycrook1913]

Hi guys!

[@dennisfowler2138]

I've had success opening the gate and dumping bale then pulling plug out. Just a thought! And I too have baled high moisture sudan within older round baler, it's touchy to say the least. After you get it fermented it will be good stuff!

[@MrJuzt1n]

A silage pit would be good next time - will have to have a buddy with a forage harvester though

[@sandratalbert9578]

Good lessons …Kudos👍👍👍

[@abdessamadyahi9734]

Hi Evan, it needs to be choped in order to make good silage. From a Moroccan farmer!

[@terryhelms1578]

Very good enjoyable video, I believe with a couple day drying and apply what you know now would be a mistake to not make hay, just my opinion.

[@TomSmith-me7ph]

I would make the rest in silage bales, but that is up to you. Have a great day! 😊

[@johnjordan4647]

Hey Evan, silage= Sauerkraut for cattle. Greetings from North Queensland Australia

[@oxfletch]

Nice eject method!!!

[@22gonefishing]

On your mower, you mentioned that the top deflector was missing, if you made the top deflector, will that keep the grass from shooting out of the space on top of the mower and also knock the grass down so it won't get stuck on the side deflectors that you made, I was thinking the top deflector could fix some the problems you are having at the back of the mower. Keep up the good videos.

[@billybobs841]

When uncloging pickup wher the chain is to run pickup get a pipe wrench or wat fits and a pipe and rotate backwards it helps

[@chrismann2954]

I am really enjoying this. I have wanted to try it, so I am going to follow this and see how it turns out in a couple months . I would definitely cut the rest of the summer annuals for forage either dry hay or silage. Also you may want some of both. Maybe off one each to the livestock at same time and see which one they prefer

[@Jokerfromtexas]

we have made this for many years in Texas.... if everything goes right it smells so good when you cut it open and the cows eat it like candy... don't let them it tall and stalky... short and tender is best with this Sudan... we have made silage with other grasses but the cattle didn't eat it as well as Sudan.... you will get it all figured out my friend none of us started as professionals

[@chrisoconnor5880]

Another thing worth considering is leave it and harvest the sorghum for seed

[@brynjarmagnusson937]

Brilliant, thank you. With my experience witch is very little but understanding off grass I would dry two days and then bale. I can see the cattle loving it in the winter. We tried half dried on my old farm in Iceland and it was fantastic but now farming in Portugal I have more sun. I think you got very valuable product there, please cut it all and bale

[@DavidRobinson-mx6cl]

Awesome job , seems like it's still too damp to me . Gotta start somewhere tho !!!!! Guess I will learn along with you !!!!! Thanks for sharing !!!!! 😊🙏👍❤️

[@lifeoutdoorseveryday1682]

Make the silage bales. Save your wrapped dry hay for next year, as you may not get as much yield. Try to stock up a year's worth of dry hay for a bad year. The silage bales will the great during the winter.

[@terryholt2906]

I feel you Evan I had a John Deere 435 and it would clog up when any moisture or short grass I sold it and bought an old krone (m&w) with open throat ,but never done silage