Understanding Baleage: Why It’s a Smart Choice for South Texas Ranchers

Optimize Feed Quality and Reduce Risk with Wrapped Forage

If you’ve ever watched a good hay crop get ruined by rain, you know the frustration of relying on perfect weather to get quality dry hay. That’s where baleage comes in.

At Graff Grown in Hondo, Texas, we offer custom baleage cutting and wrapping services that help ranchers protect their investment and deliver high-performance feed – rain or shine.

What Is Baleage?

Baleage is forage (like Sudan or Coastal grass) that’s baled at higher moisture levels – typically around 50-60% – and then tightly wrapped in plastic. This seals out oxygen and allows the forage to ferment anaerobically, preserving nutrients and digestibility.

Think of it as haylage in round bale form. And it’s perfect for South Texas’ unpredictable rain windows.

Why Choose Baleage?

✅ Preserves Nutritional Value – Less leaf shatter, more protein and energy retained.
✅ Faster Harvest Turnaround – No need to wait days for a dry-down.
✅ Reduced Weather Risk – Cut today, bale tomorrow – before the next storm hits.
✅ Better Palatability – Cattle love the soft texture and higher sugar content.
✅ Improved Storage Life – Can last 12+ months when wrapped and stored properly.

Is Baleage Right for You?

If you’re feeding beef cattle, or exotics and want to maintain a high-quality forage program through South Texas heat and humidity, baleage may be your best bet.

At Graff Grown, we wrap hundreds of bales per week for ranchers across the region. We grow, cut, bale, and deliver directly to your gate – whether you need 50 bales or 5,000.

📍 Based in Hondo, TX | 📞 (830) 741-1802 | Delivery Available