Pasture Damage
9
The gathering of animals in a small area to feed is a major cause of soil compaction and pasture damage. Compacted soil stifles new grass growth and requires damaged areas to be re-seeded with replacement grass. Balefeeders and hay unrollers cause the least amount of damage to soils because feed is distributed over a wider area – so animals are spread out when they feed. Ring feeders cause the most damage to soils and pasture – made worse by the tearing and ripping action needed to access feed. While mixer wagons and bale splitters can also be used in feeding out – the sheer weight of these machines increases the chance of soil compaction and pasture damage.
Pasture preserved by free range feeding. Missouri
Pasture damage from localised feeding.
Pasture damage around hay trailers (movable hay rings), Georgia
FIELD TESTIMONIAL
“Hangawera Station gets very dry in summer and extremely wet in winter, making it slippery going around the hills when feeding out. The clay-base soil also means a heavy silage wagon would get stuck, so overall the Chainless 4000 Balefeeder has proved to be not only the most reliable feeder, but also the best all-round option.” Ian Mathieson Hangawera Station, Waikato, New Zealand.
BALEFEEDER TYPE
CHAINLESS BALE FEEDER
CHAIN/SLAT BALE FEEDER
HAY UNROLLER
RING FEEDER
BALE SPLITTER
BALE PROCESSOR CHOPPER
TMR FEED MIXER
Investment cost each
$9,000-20,000
$7,000-17,000
$3,000-10,000
$300-1200
$3,000-6,000
$20,000-35,000
$50,000-150,000
Pasture damage
1
1
2
10
7
1
5
