Haylage Production
Production Aims
It is our intention to produce a high quality, safe, equine-specific haylage of a digestibility and protein content to match your horses' needs.
Quality
We put a huge amount of time, hard work, and investment into making the highest grade haylage we possibly can. We'd be very disappointed if you didn't think our haylage is the best you've ever had and even more so if your horses and ponies didn't relish every last drop.
Most of our customers say the same thing about their previous suppliers; "we've been promised good haylage time and time again and it just isn't". We didn't have to refund money for a single bale from the 2009 crop and every customer said the haylage was what we promised it would be.
Delivery
Within 4 working days of your order being confirmed, our haylage is delivered to you on a pallet of 30 small bales or 4 medium bales. A 7.5 tonne drop tail lift lorry will unload the pallet(s), which means you won't have to handle the individual bales.
Analysis
The crop from each field of haylage has 3 different laboratory analysis performed on it. The results are reported on by an equine nutritionist and are available in PDF format on this web site.
Prices
We aim to keep our prices competitive so that the costs of feeding your horses optimally with high quality forage can be minimised. The cost of the delivery is included in your post code price per kilo.
Freshness
Our haylage is made fresh; as soon as the grass is ready it is baled and wrapped. Many products on the market are first made into large bales then, later on, taken to the processing unit and re-packaged, which results in an aerobic secondary fermentation taking place, which is not at all desirable.
Climate
The Island of Anglesey is ideal for growing grass; with a high rainfall, and the Gulf Stream ensuring we're one of the warmest parts of the UK throughout winter and gentle prevailing winds cooling us during the summer heat waves.
Palatability
We believe that horses prefer the flavour of our haylage due to the salt spray from the sea enhancing its palatability. We're not too close to the sea for the sodium levels to be too high, but close enough for its effects to produce a flavour enhancer.
Soil
Our haylage is grown on equine-specific grassland and is produced especially for horses. Soil scientists have advised us that the treatment of grassland for horses should be different to that required for sheep and cattle, particularly in relation to the pH and the calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Grass Varieties
There is a movement in grassland production away from monoculture - the growing of a single species, mainly Tetraploid Ryegrasses, to one of meadow grassland which contains many different varieties and species; in addition, they can also contain many different types of herbs. The thinking behind this is that, as the sward is more palatable and as each species contain different levels of minerals, trace elements and nutritional properties, it acts as a medicine cabinet; as a result the animal is healthier, vets bills are reduced and the dependence on mineral supplements are lowered.
Grasses for Haylage
Ryegrass is the highest yielding grass and is the easiest grass to ensile - make into haylage. We have decided to change our reseeding programme from 2 – 3 year ryegrass leys to good old fashioned meadow grasses with a variety of different herbs, and lose some quantity in favour of quality.
Grassland Nutrition
We use an organic-based mineral fertiliser which releases the nutrients slowly and, very importantly, has added trace elements and sulphur (now 4th in importance after nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). This product is more expensive than conventional mineral fertilisers but we consider the extra investment worthwhile in terms of the quality of the finished haylage and its impact on the environment.
Conditions at Harvesting
We harvest when it's hot and sunny, and with gentle prevailing winds the grass becomes ready for baling and wrapping very quickly. We only cut around 1.25 hectares (3 acres) at a time since the bales need to be wrapped as quickly as possible after baling. The wrapping process is the most time consuming and therefore controls the output. This care and attention helps preserve the nutritional value and improves the fermentation process and the quality of the finished haylage.
Avoiding Contamination
We follow very strict quality controls to reduce possible contamination by ensuring no animal manure is present on the grass and soil doesn’t contaminate the crop at harvesting. We don’t sell a crop for the equine market if it has been rained on between cutting and wrapping.
Baling & Wrapping
When baling and wrapping, we apply strict standards of quality control. For example: the wrapping should be completed within 2 – 4 hours of baling to preserve nutritional values; we produce high density bales; and we use 8 layers of highly tensioned top grade wrap; all of which helps to ensure good fermentation and longevity. The bales are then stacked 30 on a pallet and then the pallet is wrapped in a clear pre stretched film.
Fermentation
In order to achieve our desired high quality haylage, our aim is to achieve lower levels of nitrates in the grass at harvesting, and a sugar level which will ensure a good anaerobic fermentation.
Although 6 to 8 weeks is an accepted period to allow for fermentation, we prefer a longer period between harvesting and the bales being available for sale.
Types of Haylage
Early-First Cut:
Late May to middle of June, when the grasses are earlier in their growth stage and leafier, but the seed heads have still emerged. Protein levels are higher and the haylage is more digestible. Tends to be ideal for horses in medium to hard work or those in which it's difficult to maintain condition.
Mid-First Cut:
Middle of June to the beginning of July. The grass is not as leafy compared to 'Early-Cut', protein and digestibility levels are slightly lower. Tends to be ideal for horses at rest, or in light to medium work, breeding stock, good doers and lamanitics (subject to clearance by our Equine Nutritionist)
Second-Cut:
Typically harvested from the End of July to the middle of August. Similar to 'Mid-Cut' in properties and can be suitable for lamanitics (subject to clearance by our Equine Nutritionist)
Late-Cut:
Typically harvested later on in the season from July to August as a first cut. This only occurs when the weather has not allowed an early or mid cut harvest. Sugar and protein levels are much lower. The grass is a combination of the older stalkier crop and new leafy growth.
Watch Out For
70%+ High Dry Matter Haylage. This is almost hay and smells quite sweet, which can lead buyers to think its quality is better than it really is. Equine Nutritionists tell us that haylage at this level of dry matter will not ferment properly.
Look For
Horses definitely prefer haylage that is moister, we aim for 55% dry matter. A dry matter range between 50 – 65% is ideal and should always have at least a minimum of a basic haylage together with a moulds analysis, to ensure there is no contamination and the correct levels of good fermentation acids are present, and that harmful acids and micro-organisms are not.