Recomendaciones para Fabricar Heno de Calidad - TvAgro por Juan Gonzalo Angel

Twitter @juangangel Basically, haymaking consists of reducing the water content of forage as quickly as possible for storage. Fresh forage contains around 70-85% water, and when it is reduced to 15-25% through proper drying, it can be stored as hay without deteriorating its quality, thus allowing for safe preservation for a long period of time. Purpose of haymaking: The purpose of haymaking is to take advantage of the surplus forage produced during periods of abundance (rainy season) and supplement livestock with this material during critical times (drought or excessive rainfall). Consequently, animal productivity on the farm can be maintained at a high level throughout the year. It is used primarily by ruminants and horses and, to a lesser extent, by sheep and goats. Currently, it has gained importance as a supplement in the diet of monogastric animals, with high-quality legumes such as alfalfa, cowpeas, and lamb. Advantages of Hay • Surplus forage produced on the farm is utilized. • Haymaking is simple and inexpensive. • The quality of hay is similar to that of fresh forage. • Hay is beneficial for the proper functioning of the digestive tract of cattle. • On a small scale, it does not require the use of machinery (just a scythe or a grass cutter). • It is easy to transport and market. • Its use helps lower the costs of supplementation with commercial concentrates. Disadvantages • Haymaking is difficult in rainy areas. • There is a risk of losses during drying due to unfavorable weather conditions; if the weather is very humid, drying is very slow, and quality is lost due to a reduction in carbohydrates, nutrients, protein, palatability, and digestibility, in addition to the risk of rotting due to the presence of fungi. On the other hand, if the weather is very hot, there is a loss of volume and quality of protein and vitamin A. • Storage requires a dry, covered area or plastic. • It is highly flammable (fire risk). • It is expensive when machinery is used. Source: http://www.bdigital.unal.edu.co/5028/... Juan Gonzalo Angel Restrepo www.tvagro.tv