Harvesting and Storage



Harvesting and Storage \| Silage Harvesting & Equipment \| Bale Harvesting & Equipment \| Custom Harvesting \| Silage and Grain Storage \| \| Hay and Silage Additives \| Hay Storage \| Harvest and Storage Economics \| Forage Inventory \| Safety \|
Alfalfa Corn Silage Forage Feeding Red Clover Other Legumes Grasses Alternative Forages Cereal Forages Pastures/Grazing Economics/Budgets Harvesting/Storage Decision Software HOME WI Crop Manager USDA-DFRC UW Forage Extension UW Dairy Extension UW Corn Extension WI Custom Operators Midwest Forage Assn.	Silage Harvesting & Equipment Use automatic steering to avoid mowing the same ground twice by Matt Digman, USDA DFRC Ag Engineer. Wisconsin Crop Manager, April, 2011 12-29-10 Field Drying Forage for Hay and Haylage A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Dan Undersander, UW-Extension Forage Agronomist 5-06-10 Effect of Wheel Traffic on Alfalfa Yield A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Dan Undersander, UW-Extension Forage Agronomist Don’t make your cows eat dirt: Reducing ash in hay and haylage by Dan Undersander, UW Extension Forage Agronomist Forage Harvester Adjustments by Matt Digman, UW Extension Ag Engineer. Wisconsin Crop Manager, September, 2009 5-16-08 Minimizing Wheel Traffic Damage to Alfalfa A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Dan Undersander, UW-Extension Forage Agronomist Adjusting the Conditioning System on a Mower-Conditioner by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer Swath Width and Mower Conditioners by Dr. Ron Schuler, Wisconsin Crop Manager, May, 2006 Drying Forage for Hay and Haylage by Dan Undersander, UW Extension Forage Agronomist Adjusting the Forage Harvester for Corn Silage Particle Size by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer Rakes and Mergers by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer Soil Compaction in Alfalfa Fields A MS PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer Crop Processor Adjustment for Corn Silage by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer Estimating the Weight of Forage in a Forage Wagon by Dan Wiersma, former Marshfield Ag Res. Station Supt., A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet Corn Silage Harvest Management by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Extension Agronomist and Dr. Kevin Shinners, UW Ag Engineer Machinery Designs and Adjustments for Minimized Field Losses by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer Back to top Bale Harvesting & Equipment 12-29-10 Field Drying Forage for Hay and Haylage A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Dan Undersander, UW-Extension Forage Agronomist 5-06-10 Effect of Wheel Traffic on Alfalfa Yield A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Dan Undersander, UW-Extension Forage Agronomist Wrapped baled silage by Kevin Shinners, Biological Sytems Engineer, University of Wisconsin - Madison Baleage: Another Option for Managing, Storing and Feeding Your Forage by Neal Martin et al., USDA Dairy Forage Research Center 01/07 Big Bale Storage Losses; how different options stack up by Craig Saxe, Juneau County Agricultural Agent. A "Focus on Forage" Fact Sheet. 03-07The Long and Short of Alfalfa Cutting Height Written by Dan Wiersma and Mike Bertram, former and current Agronomist-Marshfield Agricultural Research Station, and Ron Wiederholdt and Nick Schneider, former and current Crops and Soils Agent, Clark County UW-Extension. A Focus on Forage Fact Sheet Making Quality Silage Bales by Jerry Clark, Chippewa Co. Crops and Soils Agent. A "Focus on Forage" Fact Sheet. Successful Wrapping and Storage of Square Bales or view as a MS PowerPoint presentation by Tim Wood, Director-Lancaster Ag Research Center Machinery Designs and Adjustments for Minimized Field Losses by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer Rain Damage to Forage During Hay and Silage Making by Mike Rankin, Fond du Lac Co. Crops and Soils Agent, and Dr. Dan Undersander, UW Extension Agronomist. A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet. Comparing Forage Drydown Rates Using a Super Conditioner by Matt Hanson, Dodge Co. Crops and Soils Agent, Getting the Most from Your Mower-Conditioner by Dr. Kevin Shinners, UW-Madison, Ag Engineer Equipment to Rake and Merge Hay and Forage by Dr. Kevin Shinners, UW-Madison, Ag Engineer and Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer Large Baler Research and Storage Ideas by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer Plastic Wrapping Bales at Different Moistures and at Different Times after Baling A MS Power Point presentation by Dr. Dan Undersander. Back to top Custom Field Operations / Equipment Sharing Should a custom operator be harvesting your forages? by Matt Digman, USDA DFRC Ag Engineer 4-28-2005 Using a Custom Harvester - Factors to Consider A presentation developed by Brian Holmes, UW Extension Ag Engineer. 2010 Wisconsin Custom Rate Guide Working Successfully with a Custom Operator by Joe Stellato, Shawano Co. Crops and Soils Agent and John Biese, former Outagamie Co. Crops and Soils Agent Equipment Sharing and Other Joint Ventures Gary Frank, Farm Management Specialist, UW-Madison, Center for Dairy Profitability Back to top Silage and Grain Storage Type, Sizing, and Management General 5-6-10 Recycling Silo Bags and Other Agricultural Plastic Films by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. and Roger Springman (retired), WI Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. This is a UW-Extension bulletin describing options to handle spent agricultural plastics. 9-6-09 Determining Silage Density by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. 9-6-09 Silage Preservation: First Things First by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. 5-16-08 Forage Feedout Losses for Various Storage Systems A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Jerry Clark, Chippewa Co. Crops and Soils Educator, Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept., and Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center 7-8-11 Determining Value of Improved Silage Management This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help producers determine the value associated with dry matter and quality losses from harvesting, storing, and feeding forages. 1-28-05 Storage Density Calculator Documentation This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, was developed to estimate the average density of forage in selected storage units based on the weight of feed removed and the calculated volume of that feed. Forage Storage Design and Management Tools by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept., and Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center Deciding on a Silage Storage Type htm viewable file ppt downloadable file (1.02 MB, suggest right clicking, then "save target/file as") An interactive MS PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept., and Craig Saxe, Juneau Co. Agricultural Agent. Helps producers decide on the best storage type to fit a given situation. 5-8-2003 Deciding on a Silage Storage Type by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. Forage Storage Options, What’s Right for You? a MS PowerPoint presentation by Craig Saxe, Juneau Co. Agricultural Agent Forage Feedout Losses for Various Storage Systems A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Jerry Clark, Chippewa Co. Crops and Soils Educator Choosing Forage Storage Facilities by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. Preventing Silage Storage Losses by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. and Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center Transferring Silage Between Silos by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Specialist, and Jim Leverich, former Monroe Co. Agricultural Agent. Bunker and Pile Silos 07-21-11 Bunker Silo Sizing Spreadsheet w/ metric, Portuguese, and Russian Documentation - 01-19-2007 Hungarian Translation of Spreadsheet This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, will help design bunker silos with nearly vertical walls. on 04-15-10 Silage Pile Sizing Calculator w/ metric and Portuguese This spreadsheet, developed by Ken Barnett, Marathon Co. Forage and Farm Mgt. Agent, and updated by Brian Holmes, UW Agricultural Engineer, is designed to help producers size silage piles. The latest updates include: 1) a corrected width calculation error, 2) height of pile has replaced average height as an input to improve input accuracy by the operator, 3) a metric page has been added, and 4) a Portuguese page has been added. 4-29-11 Bunker Silo Volume and Weight Calculator This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to calculate the volume and weight (dry and wet) of silage stored in a bunker silo. A New Way Of Looking At Bunker Silage Density by Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center 8-1-08 Density and Porosity in Bunker and Pile Silos by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. 5-16-08 Packing Bunker and Pile Silos to Minimize Porosity A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept., and Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center 7-21-11 Bunker Silo Density Calculator (in English, Espanol, and Russian) 1-19-07 Hungarian Version 6-23-08Documentation This spreadsheet, developed by Drs. Brian Holmes and Richard Muck is designed to help producers estimate bunker silo densities. Works for both English and Metric units and the new version includes a Spanish (espanol) translated option. Porosity now included as a factor. 10-16-07 Packing Bunkers and Piles to Maximize Forage Preservation by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept., and Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center 4-29-11 Silage Pile Density Calculator (in English and Espanol) Documentation This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes and Dr. Richard Muck, is designed to help producers determine the average density of a silage pile. Works for both English and Metric units and includes a Spanish (espanol) translated option. Porosity now included as a factor. 2-23-12 Silage Pile Capacity Calculator w/ metric and Espanol This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help producers determine the amount of silage in an existing silage pile. Now includes Spanish translation and Metric conversions. 2-28-06 Floor Length to Achieve Bunker/Pile Silo Filling Layer Thickness Calculator Documentation This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, estimates the length of floor needed to achieve the desired forage filling layer thickness prior to packing in a bunker or pile silo. 5-10-05 Sources of Supply - Face Cutters for Bunker and Pile Silos by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. Factors Affecting Bunker Silo Densities by Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center, and Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. 1-22-07 Managing Forage in Bunker Silos by Craig Saxe, Juneau Co. Agricultural Agent. A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet. Management of Bunker Silos and Silage Piles by Ken Bolton, Jefferson County Dairy and Livestock Agent, and Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. Storing Forage in Piles by Jerry Clark, UW Extension Crops and Soils Educator. A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet. Storing Forage in Piles A MS PowerPoint presentation by Jerry Clark, UW Extension Crops and Soils Educator, and Brian Holmes, UW Extension Ag Engineer. 10/06 Bunker Silo Cover Alternatives by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. Factors Affecting Bunker Silo Densities by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept., and Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center You Can't Judge a Bunker Silo by Its Cover by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. Drive-Over Silage Pile Construction UWEX Bulletin A3511 Silage Bags 1-31-12 Silage Bag Capacity Calculator This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help producers estimate the quantity of forage in a bag silo. 12-27-11 Can it Pay to Cover Silage Bags with a Cover? This factsheet by Extension Educator Ken Barnett looks at the economics of covering silage bags to prevent bird damage. 5-6-10 Recycling Silo Bags and Other Agricultural Plastic Films by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. and Roger Springman (retired), WI Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. This is a UW-Extension bulletin describing options to handle spent agricultural plastics. Managing Forage in Silo Bags by Craig Saxe, Juneau County Agricultural Agent. A "Focus on Forage" Fact Sheet. 4-29-11 Silage Bag Sizing Calculator Spreadsheet Documentation This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help producers determine the number and size of silo bags needed to store forage and high moisture corn. Contains both English and Spanish worksheets. Density and Losses in Pressed Bag Silos Density and Losses in Pressed Bag Silos by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept., and Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center Silage Bag Capacity (html) - or available as .pdf file (March, 1999) by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. Tower Silos 11-9-12 Tower Silo Capacity Calculator This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help estimate the tons of silage in a tower silo. Calculations are presented on a dry matter and as fed basis. 11-9-12 Tower Silo Capacity Calculator - Multiple Fills This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help estimate the tons of silage in a tower silo when the silo is refilled before being emptied. Calculations are presented on a dry matter and as fed basis. Managing Forage in Tower Silos by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. Grain Bins 11-9-12 Grain Bin Capacity Calculator This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Sam G. McNeill, P.E. and University of Kentucky Extension Agricultural Engineer, and modified by Dr. Brian Holmes, estimates the amount of grain in various sized circular grain bins. Back to top Hay and Silage Additives 12-28-11 Inoculating High Moisture Corn (updated) by Pat Hoffman, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, Marshfield Ag Research Station and Richard Muck, USDA Dairy Forage Research Center. A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet. 9-6-09 Inoculant Effects on Alfalfa Silage: Fermentation Products and Nutritive Value by Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center, et al. 9-6-09 Inoculant Effects on Alfalfa Silage: In Vitro Gas and Volatile Fatty Acid Production by Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center, et al. 9-6-09 Silage inoculants: What the research tells us about when and how to use them by Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center 10/06 Microbial Inoculants for Silage by Francisco Contreras-Govea, UW Agronomy Research Associate, and Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center. A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet. Español version: Inoculantes Microbiales para ensilaje Effects of Corn Silage Inoculants on Aerobic Stability Written by Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy Forage Research Center Corn Silage Inoculants that Work A MS PowerPoint presentation given by Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center, at the 2001 Forage Teaching and Technology Conference. Lactobacillus buchneri for Silage Aerobic Stability by David Combs and Pat Hoffman, UW Dairy Scientists. A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet. Adding Anhydrous Ammonia to Corn Silage by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet. Preserving Baled Hay With Organic Acids by Mike Rankin, Fond du Lac Co. Crops and Soils Agent. A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet. Hay Dessicants and Preservatives by Dr. Dan Undersander, UW Extension Forage Agronomist Anhydrous Ammonia for Legume-Grass Silage by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist Adding Enzymes to Silage by Pat Hoffman, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, Marshfield Ag Research Station and Richard Muck, USDA Dairy Forage Research Center Adding Urea to Corn Silage by Pat Hoffman, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, Marshfield Ag Research Station Silage Inoculation - Inoculation of Silage and its Effects on Silage Quality Written by Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy Forage Research Center Large Baler Research and Storage Ideas Written by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer Back to top Storage Sizing and Management (hay) 4-28-2005 Estimating Winter Hay Needs for Beef Cattle Developed by Bill Halfman, Monroe County Agricultural Agent, this spreadsheet helps to estimate winter hay needs based on inventory, feed loss, and livestock numbers. Dry Round Hay Bale Storage Costs A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW-Extension Ag Engineer Round Bale Hay Storage Costs A MS PowerPoint presentation developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Extension Ag Engineer. Also see companion spreadsheet application. Comparing Round Bale Storage Costs This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, will help analyze the economics of storing round bales. Systems to Improve Storage Characteristics of Large Square Bales in a Humid Climate by Dr. Kevin Shinners, UW-Madison, Ag Engineer Forage Feedout Losses for Various Storage Systems A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Jerry Clark, Chippewa Co. Crops and Soils Educator Back to top Harvest and Storage Economics 7-8-11 Determining Value of Improved Silage Management This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help producers determine the value associated with dry matter and quality losses from harvesting, storing, and feeding forages. 3-22-2007 Machinery Cost Spreadsheet 3-22-2007 Estimating Agricultural Field Machinery Costs by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Extension Ag Engineer. This spreadsheet and paper helps to estimate the cost of various field crop machine operations. Dry Round Hay Bale Storage Costs A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW-Extension Ag Engineer Round Bale Hay Storage Costs A MS PowerPoint presentation developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Extension Ag Engineer. Also see companion spreadsheet application. Comparing Round Bale Storage Costs This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, will help analyze the economics of storing round bales. Bunker Silo Facers - worth the investment? A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW-Extension Ag Engineer Facer Cost Analysis Spreadsheet This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, will help analyze the economics of owning and operating a facer for removing silage from horizontal silos. Capital Costs of Pads for Bunkers, Piles, and Bag Silos by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Extension Ag Engineer 5-1-2003 Cost of Forage Storage Spreadsheet Documentation This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, will help analyze the capital and annual costs for various types of high-moisture forage storage structures. Back to top Forage Inventory 11-3-2012 Making a Feed Inventory A "Focus on Forage" fact sheet written by Brian Holmes, UW-Extension Ag Engineer 2-23-12 Silage Pile Capacity Calculator w/ metric and Espanol This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help producers determine the amount of silage in an existing silage pile. Now includes Spanish translation and Metric conversions. 4-29-11 Silage Pile Density Calculator (in English and Espanol) Documentation This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes and Dr. Richard Muck, is designed to help producers determine the average density of a silage pile. Works for both English and Metric units and includes a Spanish (espanol) translated option. Porosity now included as a factor. 4-29-11 Bunker Silo Volume and Weight Calculator This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to calculate the volume and weight (dry and wet) of silage stored in a bunker silo. 7-21-11 Bunker Silo Density Calculator (in English, Espanol, and Russian) 1-19-07 Hungarian Version 6-23-08Documentation This spreadsheet, developed by Drs. Brian Holmes and Richard Muck is designed to help producers estimate bunker silo densities. Works for both English and Metric units and the new version includes a Spanish (espanol) translated option. Porosity now included as a factor. 07-21-11 Bunker Silo Sizing Spreadsheet w/ metric, Portuguese, and Russian Documentation - 01-19-2007 Hungarian Translation of Spreadsheet This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, will help design bunker silos with nearly vertical walls. 1-31-12 Silage Bag Capacity Calculator This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help producers estimate the quantity of forage in a bag silo. 1-28-05 Storage Density Calculator Documentation This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, was developed to estimate the average density of forage in selected storage units based on the weight of feed removed and the calculated volume of that feed. 11-9-12 Tower Silo Capacity Calculator This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help estimate the tons of silage in a tower silo. Calculations are presented on a dry matter and as fed basis. 11-9-12 Tower Silo Capacity Calculator - Multiple Fills This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Brian Holmes, is designed to help estimate the tons of silage in a tower silo when the silo is refilled before being emptied. Calculations are presented on a dry matter and as fed basis. 11-9-12 Grain Bin Capacity Calculator This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Sam G. McNeill, P.E. and University of Kentucky Extension Agricultural Engineer, and modified by Dr. Brian Holmes, estimates the amount of grain in various sized circular grain bins. 4-28-2005 Estimating Winter Hay Needs for Beef Cattle Developed by Bill Halfman, Monroe County Agricultural Agent, this spreadsheet helps to estimate winter hay needs based on inventory, feed loss, and livestock numbers. Silage Bag Capacity (html) - or available as .pdf file (March, 1999) by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. Choosing Forage Storage Facilities by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. Density and Losses in Pressed Bag Silos Back to top Safety Prevent Hay Mow and Silo Fires UWEX Bulletin A2805 Watch Out for Silo Gas Back to top