Bale grazing has become more popular in recent years. Before an entire feeding system is switched over to bale grazing, there must be an awareness of net gains versus net losses.

A Lakeland Applied Ag Research study showed about 20 per cent of the feed wasn’t consumed by the animals, says Barry Yaremcio, ruminant nutritionist. “It’s a big loss, but the argument on the other side is it’s not really wasted.”

The theory behind bale grazing is that “waste” from the bale is nutrients going back into the soil. Bale “waste” also provides mulch for the pasture. Selecting the optimum site for bale grazing is also key. Poor-performing pastures or pastures with poor soils are going to benefit most.

“If you are bale grazing on pastures, that thatch will reduce temperatures, and help conserve moisture,” Yaremcio says. Although there is money lost from forage not being consumed, the bonus is the improvement to the land — an increase in water retention, reduction in soil temperature and increase in soil nitrogen retention.

“What you’re using the bale grazing for is to replenish the nutrients available for next year’s plants,” Yaremcio says.

Feeding round bales out of bale feeders (ring-style, cone-style or multi-bale feeders) is also popular. One positive of these feeder styles, especially for smaller herds or groups, is you don’t need to start a tractor daily to feed — the feeder is filled on demand.

But not all feeders are created equal. With bale feeders the amount of feed waste involved “is anywhere from 3.5 to 14.6 per cent, depending on the style of feeder you have,” Yaremcio says. The ring-style feeders had the most wasted due to their design. The bale fits snugly within the ring, so when the cow grabs a bite of hay with her mouth, she grabs, bites and pulls back. When she pulls back, some hay drops on the ground and is lost.

To minimize waste, a cone-style bale feeder is a better option. Yaremcio explained this type of feeder is about 12 inches wider than the outside of the bale, with some rungs that go down at a slant, holding the bale in about a foot inside the feeder.

“They have to turn their head to get their head into the feeder, straighten out and eat. If they move to get out, the feed drops inside the feeder and is usable.” Having that space where the cow can put her head in and eat helps with feed loss. “Anything to prevent the cows from backing out while eating saves a lot of feed.

“One thing you will find different when you feed on the ground versus a bale feeder is the amount of material that is lost.” The waste of unrolling hay on the ground adds up to about 12.3 per cent, according to Yaremcio. “If there is feed on the ground, cows cannot pick up a particle size less than three-quarters of an inch.” Even though it will seem cows can “vacuum” grain off the ground, when it comes to hay, they don’t. The only issue with the cows not eating the smaller, fine particle parts of hay, is it’s usually the high-quality stuff — flowers, leaves and fine stems — that gets left behind.

“It’s not just the percentage of physical waste that occurs, it’s the greater loss of quality,” Yaremcio says. “If you look at what is being lost, it’s the ‘gravy,’ the really good stuff.”

The benefit of unrolling bales comes in the cost of delivering feed — not much equipment is needed, nor is much fuel used.

If you’re using a bale processor (one that rotates and shreds the bales), you can mitigate waste. If you feed on the ground, you will see around 19.2 per cent waste. By using the same delivery method, but grinding the bales into troughs or bunk feeders, you’ll have zero waste.

“Any feed that gets into the bunk gets cleaned up,” Yaremcio says. The cows can access all the feed inside the bunk, whether it has an open bottom and is on stubble or if the bunk has a floor in it.

“Depending on the operator you might have two to three per cent loss by having feed hit the side of the feeder and falling on the outside.” It is a good idea, Yaremcio says, to use both the bale processor and the trough or bunk feeder. If you do the math, at eight cents a pound for hay, it works out to $64 a cow for the value of feed that’s wasted based on a 175-day feeding period. Not only are you eliminating waste, feeding into a bunk, but you are also maintaining forage quality.

“The one thing I do like about using a portable bunk feeder in the pasture for the bale processor is it can feed in one area for five days to a week, then you can pull it to another part of the field, and feed there. You are distributing the manure,” Yaremcio says. You can move the bunks and target areas of poor soil, such as hilltops, sandy or clay areas. Adding manure to these poor soils helps increase soil fertility. Distributing manure across fields eliminates manure-hauling expenses. It doesn’t take many bunks either. A bunk that is five feet wide by 28 feet long can hold a 1,400-pound bale and feed 40 cows.

Waste has a cost, and once you calculate that cost, you can better evaluate decisions around feeding.

Jill Burkhardt, her husband Kelly and their three children own and operate a mixed farm near Gwynne, Alta. Originally hailing from Montana, Burkhardt has a range management degree from Montana State University.

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“It seems odd to think about the risk of baler fires right now, as the grass is still green in many areas where hay is still being harvested,” says Tom Clays, North Dakota Forest Service director. “However, the amount of ‘fuel’ or biomass that is out there this year in the ditches, meadows and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) areas is substantial. There’s enough ‘fuel’ out there that can easily catch fire with just one spark or overheated part and quickly become out of control.”

Timely baler maintenance is key to prevent dangerous round baler fires.

“A common cause of round baler fires is mechanical issues, primarily problems with roller bearings found within the baler,” says Angie Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety coordinator. “The roller bearings inside the round baler can easily become damaged due to wear and extended use. Once the bearings are damaged, they become dangerously hot and can start a fire inside the baler chamber.”

As the haying season shifts into more mature and drier grasses, including the baling of small grain straw, these types of fuels can burn quickly and spread over a large area.

“We have to remember that there is a tremendous amount of friction and static that builds up during baling,” says Johnson. “Add that combination of friction and static electricity or a mechanical failure on the baler, with extremely dry hay, and you have the perfect recipe to start a fire.”

To prevent round baler fires this haying season, Johnson recommends conducting a visual assessment of the baler by walking around the baler when both the baler and tractor are shut off. Performing preventative measures, including daily maintenance when in active use, can help farmers maintain their equipment for peak performance, reduce repairs and prevent equipment fires.

When assessing the rollers and belts inside the round baler, farmers may need to have the chamber door of the baler open.

“Always make sure the chamber door is in the lock position by manually shifting the lever to the lock position,” says Johnson. “By locking the chamber door open, you prevent the possibility of the chamber door closing on you if the hydraulics of the chamber door fail.”

During the visual assessment of the baler, Johnson recommends farmers consider the following actions:

• Inspect bearings, chains, hoses and belts for wear, and replace worn parts. Some balers use chains or drums rather than belts to create the bale. Take time to inspect.
• Remove excess net wrap and/or twine pieces that may have accumulated around the rollers.
• Look for purple discoloration on the shields of the baler where the roller bearings are located, as this could be a sign of a “hot spot” on the baler. These hot spots are indicators that the bearing might be wearing out and needs to be replaced.
• Check for belts that may have become loose around the rollers. If a belt becomes too loose, the belt starts slipping on the rollers, causing friction. That friction can allow for dust particles, loose material and the bale developing inside the baler chamber to ignite.
• Lubricate chains, gears and bearings following the recommended lubrication instruction schedule from your baler’s operator manual. The operator’s manual for the baler will provide the best maintenance schedule for your baler.
• Use an air compressor to blow dry matter, such as leaves, dust and plant stems, off the baler after every 50 to 75 bales.

An infrared heat thermometer is an inexpensive tool found at farm and ranch supply stores to help prevent baler fires.

“An infrared heat thermometer is a great tool to help monitor the temperature of your baler’s roller bearings,” says Johnson. “Take the time for a stretch break while baling and use the thermometer to check the temperature of your baler’s roller bearings. If you see a temperature spike with one or more bearings, it is time to stop and get the bearing replaced before your baler becomes damaged and catches fire.”

Farmers should also carry a fire extinguisher and make sure it is full and working correctly, Johnson says.

“Let others know your plans before going out to bale hay so if you don’t return when you said you would, someone can check to make sure you are OK,” says Johnson. “This also means you should carry a fully charged cellphone with you while baling.”

In the event of a fire, immediately call 911. Firefighters can help contain the fire quickly and lessen the extent of the damage.

“A baler can be replaced. You can’t,” Johnson reminds farmers.

For more farm and ranch safety tips, visit www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/ag-topics/farm-safety-health.

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