Haylage vs. Hay for Dairy Cows

Haylage and hay are both useful forages, but they behave differently in the field, in storage and in the cow. Choosing between them is mostly about your weather, equipment and herd.

Key points

Hay and haylage differ mainly in moisture, harvest timing and storage.
Harvest on time for quality, whichever you choose.
Seal haylage well and keep hay dry.
Test every lot and compare on a dry matter basis.
Follow safety guidance for bale handling and hay storage.

Basic differences and harvest timing

Hay is cut and dried in the field until it is stable enough to store. Haylage is cut, wilted to a higher moisture, and stored under airtight conditions so it ferments, much like corn silage.

Both can make high-quality feed. The main difference is moisture, and that drives harvest timing, storage method and how the feed handles.

Hay needs several dry days, and rain on cut hay can lower quality and cause losses. Haylage needs a shorter drying window, so it can be harvested at the right maturity more reliably when weather is uncertain. Harvesting on time matters more than the type. Forage cut late loses digestibility and protein, whether it ends up as hay or haylage.

Storage and losses

Hay stored dry and under cover keeps well, but outside storage and poor stacking can cause weathering and waste. Haylage must be sealed well. Bags and bales need intact wrap, and a hole lets in air and spoilage.

Check wrap and covers on a regular schedule. Rodents, birds and equipment can all damage bale wrap and bags.

Ask yourself where losses happen on your farm. Rained-on windrows, poor stacking, wrap damage and slow feed out all waste feed you worked hard to grow, and writing the losses down shows where to fix things first.

Store hay off the ground and under cover where possible
Inspect haylage wrap and bags
Repair holes promptly
Keep records of when each lot was made

Feeding differences and testing

Haylage is often more palatable and can be easier to blend into a TMR because of its moisture. Hay brings long stem fiber, which helps with chewing and rumen function when used well.

Each cow herd responds a little differently. Changes in forage type can change intake, so make them gradually and watch the herd.

Test both. Hay and haylage vary widely, and the label of the feed tells you little about its protein, fiber or digestibility. Haylage should also be checked for fermentation quality. Ask your nutritionist how to compare lots, since moisture difference can make one look better or worse than it is. Compare on a dry matter basis.

Safety and handling

Moving large bales is a hazard. Follow manufacturer and extension safety guidance for loaders, bale handlers and stacked bales, and keep people clear of areas where bales can fall or roll.

Hay can heat when stored too wet, and heated hay carries a fire risk. Check stored hay for heat and smells, and take warnings seriously.

Cost, labor and equipment

Hay needs mowing, drying, raking and baling, and enough dry weather to finish. Haylage needs chopping or baling and wrapping equipment, and plastic or storage structures. Neither is simply cheaper. Compare the full cost of labor, fuel, equipment and losses for your own farm, and include the value of the cows' response.

Your local extension office may have worksheets for comparing systems. Ask your accountant or lender how equipment decisions fit your long-term plans.

Choosing, using and avoiding mistakes

Think about your climate, your equipment, your storage space and your herd size. Some farms use both, with haylage as the main forage and dry hay used for dry cows, fresh cows or fiber supplement.

Ask your nutritionist and local extension office what fits your area, and plan so every cow group gets forage that suits its needs.

Many herds use haylage for the main forage and keep some dry hay for specific groups. Dry cows, close-up cows and fresh cows often benefit from forage with more long fiber, and a good-quality dry hay can serve that role. If you switch the main forage, plan the change over several days and watch intake, manure and milk. Your nutritionist can rebalance the ration for changes in protein, fiber and moisture. Cutting too late, feeding haylage with torn wrap, storing hay in the open for months, and comparing lots on an as-fed instead of dry matter basis are the usual errors. Mixing different cuttings without testing, and failing to rebalance when the forage changes, cause trouble as well. Keep each lot separate and labeled so you know what you are feeding.

When to get help: Ask your nutritionist to compare your forage lots on a dry matter basis. Call your veterinarian if cows show illness after a forage change or you suspect spoiled or moldy feed.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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