MainBale Haylage is a High Fibre Haylage with low – moderate levels of both energy and protein.

This is achieved by allowing the grass to mature out in the field before mowing and harvesting.

MainBale Haylage is suitable for feeding to a wide range of horses from native ponies – riding club horses through to competition horses.

Each bale weighs an average of 25kg; this should provide enough forage for the average 500kg horse for 3 – 4 days. (Depending on circumstances)

MainBale Haylage is a Dust Free Forage; it is by far more nutritious than dry or soaked hay. The concentrate portion of your horses’ diet could be reduced when feeding Haylage compared to hay.

As MainBale Haylage is low in both energy and protein it should not make
your horse Fizzy as other brands of haylage can do.

The MainBale package is a densely compressed bale sealed into a
thick durable plastic bag.

Each bale weighs on average 25kg; this is more than many other brands
of bagged forage on the market!

The densely compressed bales are easy to stack and handle, the shelf life of the MainBale package has been greatly increased when compared to plastic wrapped bales due to the higher density inside.

We have invested in a new packaging facility to produce the MainBale package. This project is supported under the England rural development program by the department for environment food and rural affairs (DEFRA) and the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund.

Digestible Energy is a vital factor in forage Analysis. It relates to the age of the grass, as the grass grows and matures it becomes more coarse and lower in energy.  A typical energy range for Low energy Haylage is between 7 – 10 MJ / kg DM.

Dry matter is the dry proportion of the Haylage in which the nutrients are stored. Haylage is normally between 60 – 65% DM

The Fibre level indicates the age of the grass at cutting.  As the grass matures the fibre levels increase, the optimum fibre level for a High Fibre Haylage should range between 35 – 40 %.

As with energy levels, the protein content of the grass reduces as the grass becomes more mature. Protein levels for Low protein Haylage should range between 7 – 10%.

PH measures the acidity of the Haylage. As the Haylage is sealed in airtight conditions, natural fermentation takes place which produces lactic acid. This acid acts to preserve the Haylage. The optimum PH should range From 4 – 6. A low PH number indicates that the Haylage has been well preserved.

• It is dust free
• Helps to maintain a healthy respiratory system in horses
• Prevents expensive vet bills caused by feeding hay that is dusty or mouldy
• No need to soak
• Is of guaranteed quality
• More nutritious than hay, hard feed quantities can be reduced
• Is suitable for single horse owners
• Can be purchased as required, rather than in bulk at the start of the winter, thus easing cash-flow through the feeding period
• Is clean and convenient to handle, can be collected in the family car without the need to spend hours with the vacuum cleaner afterwards.

• MainBale Haylage is ideal for customers who can't handle the large size of "Big bales" that are available. Very often these large bales spoil before they are consumed, resulting in expensive waste.
• Each MainBale Haylage bale can be easily moved by hand, once opened the bale can be completely consumed before it has a chance to deteriorate.
• Individual customers can keep track of their own Haylage in a large livery yard.

The foundation of our Premium Quality Haylage is simple “ Quality Grass “

All the grass leys used to produce MainBale Haylage are specially sown ryegrass mixtures.

The ryegrass leys are specially managed by ourselves, NO grazing takes place on any of our fields, thus reducing the possibility of any contamination.

Reseeding takes place at regular intervals to maintain quality weed / disease free grass – Haylage. This is usually at 2 – 3 year intervals.

The Mowing and all further harvesting operations are carried out by ourselves, thus ensuring we have total control of the entire production process.

Rigorous in – field sampling at harvesting time ensures correct moisture content and fermentation levels are achieved.

In conclusion, we achieve the consistent high quality Haylage because we have total control of the entire production process from start to finish.

For More information please contact:
Downe Court Farm, Luxted Road, Downe,   
Tel: 01689 850434