Baling oat greenfeed

[DiamondSCattleCo]

The neighbor has me putting up his oats as greenfeed, and its been years since I did it last. Can someone tell me what percentage moisture content is considered dry? Don't want it spoiling on him.

Rod

 

[Andy]

if you are just baleing it I would say 14-16%. It will depend on if the oats are dry if the oats are still milky it will need to be drier.

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

Yeah these oats are in the dough stage, so I was thinking around 14% on a hardcore bale would be just about right. Thanks.

Rod

 

[cowsense]

Rod......Watch greenfeed- even if the forage is cured the grain must be dry or the bales will heat and mold. There's been tons of anhydrous pumped into green oat bales to try and stop the heating when guys baled too quick! It's a tough call when the weather isn't co-operating.

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

Yeah, thats what I'm trying to find out. Oats is considered dry at 13.5, while the straw would keep at 18 or 19. I called my local ag rep, but he didn't have a sniff and there just aren't enough people in the area who put up greenfeed.