HAYLAGE: A FORAGE CONSERVATION ALTERNATIVE

Abstract

The objective was to cover and discuss the characteristics of haylage that makes it an alternative of forage conservation. The haylage is based on the dry matter content after a wilt process, then baled similar to hay and wrapped with plastic films in order to be conserved under anaerobic fermentation. The dry matter content after wilt exceeds 500 g kg-1. Conserved forages with high content of dry matter present stabilization at high pH, which favors bacteria of the genus Clostridium. The pH of the haylage, because it has a high content of dry matter in its confection, limits the capacity of bacterial fermentation, it does not produce sufficient acid and becomes resistant to pH drops, this characteristic must be considered along with other factors. The preservation quality of haylage cut under the same conditions of the hay presents similar chemical composition, therefore, when the haylage is preserved under ideal conditions, it is an alternative to replace the hay. The definition and characteristics of haylage clearly expresses that it is an alternative conservation to hay and silage.