Feed density and storage
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Feed density and storage are crucial for dairy farming, and proper planning helps optimize storage solutions and maximize feed resources. Use our tables to help calculate storage space requirements when planning new facilities or assessing current storage adequacy on farm.
This page contains information about the density and storage of feeds. Download or order the Facts and Figures guide to find out more.
Facts and Figures
PDF
3.6 MB
Facts and Figures - a quick reference guide for New Zealand dairy farmers is a handy compilation of established research and practical knowledge.
Density and DM% of silage and hay
| Silage types | DM% | Wet weight silage kg/m³ in stack or hay in bale |
DM silage kg/m³ in stack/bale |
Density in wagon kg/m³ in stack |
| Direct cut grass | 13-18 | 700-900 | 120-160 | - |
| Wilted grass | 20-30 | 600-800 | 160-180 | - |
| Baleage | 35-40 | 500 | 130-180 | - |
| Hay - small bales | 85 | 18-25 | 15-20 | - |
| Hay - round bales | 85 | 180-300 | 150-250 | - |
| Maize stack | 33-38 | 500-760 | 170-250(average 200) | 80-120 |
| Maize bunker | 33-38 | 600-820 | 200-270(average 220) | 80-120 |
| Maize deep bunker (not common 5% of bunkers) |
33-38 | 760-900 | 250-300 | 80-120 |
Storage space required for grass and maize silage
| Silage storage | Tonnes DM multiplied by: | Example |
| Maize stack | 5.0 | e.g. 50 t DM x 5.0 = 250m³ |
| Maize bunker | 4.4 | e.g. 50 t DM x 4.4 = 222m³ |
| Grass silage | 5.7 | e.g. 50 t DM x 5.7 = 285m³ |
Density and storage of other feeds
| Density (kg/m³) | Storage (m³/tonne) | |
| Grains - barley | 630 | 1.6 |
| Grains - wheat | 760 | 1.3 |
| PKE | 630-750 | 1.35-1.6 |
| Carrots | 630 | 1.6 |
| Onions (dry) | 630-725 | 1.4-1.6 |
| Potatoes | 660 | 1.5 |
Additional resources
Facts and Figures
PDF
3.6 MB
Facts and Figures - a quick reference guide for New Zealand dairy farmers is a handy compilation of established research and practical knowledge.
