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Training flier on box bailing
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MAKING HAY
For more informa�on contact: Informa�on Officer, EADD Kenya Country Office, P.O. Box 5201-30100 Eldoret T:254532031274/8, E: [email protected]
Hay is a form of conserving forage in dry form. It can be made from grass ( Rhodes grass), herbaceous legumes like Lucerne, desmodium, and oats. The quality of hay depends on the material it is made from, stage of growth, the process and storage.Grass is about 80 % water and hay is about 20%Hay from natural grass and pastures can form the bulk feed while hay from herbaceous legumes can be used for supplementary forage as it contains higher levels of protienThe best time to make hay is when the plant is at the early to late flowering stage. Cutting too early gives little material, while cutting too late gives hay of less nutritive value as much of the protein will have been used for making seed and the leaves become brittle when dried and fall off leaving stems that are less nutritive to the livestock.Hay can be stored in bales, as loose hay or the grasses can be ground using a palverizer and stored in gunny bags.On large farms, bales are made using a tractor drawn baler which compacts the bales.
BOX BAILING
For more informa�on contact: Informa�on Officer, EADD Kenya Country Office, P.O. Box 5201-30100 Eldoret T:254532031274/8, E: [email protected]
This is method can be used by small holder farmers who have established grasses or oats in small areas of land.
Make a wooden frame that measures 100cm x 50cm and 40cm deep. The box should be open at the top and bottom.
Step One
Step Two• The grass or herbaceous legume is cut to the ground and dried under
shade or left in the field to dry.
• The forage is tuned over once a day for three days . the process is best carried out during hot dry weather.
• Ready hay breaks when the stems are bent in half and is light brown in colour.
Step Three
• Lay two lengths of sisal twine across the frame while leaving them to hang over the sides
• Place hay in the frame and compact by either walking on it . The hay should be well compacted
• Tie the bale tightly with the twine
• Push the bale out if the frame
• Stored away from sun and rain
