Hay and Silage
The Biostart hay and silage preservative range is designed specifically to maintain feed quality and reduce spoilage. Our biological approach to preserving silage focusses on activating beneficial ensiling bacteria and inhibiting yeast and fungi in forage. Our biological approach to preserving hay relies on inhibiting yeast and fungal activity.
SilageKing
Preserve silage by stimulating the beneficial, naturally occurring ensiling bacteria. Certified organic version available.
MaizeKing
Biological silage additive with natural ensiling bacteria for high-quality maize silage. For organics we recommend using certified Organic SilageKing.
HayKing
Biological hay preservative for mould control and high-quality feed. Certified organic version available.
How our range works
Our silage preservatives, SilageKing and MaizeKing, create high quality silage by inhibiting the growth of spoilage microbes responsible for decomposition and spoilage while at the same time activating beneficial ensiling microbes.
Our hay preservative, HayKing, creates high metabolisable energy and cooler bales by inhibiting the growth of spoilage microbes that use up feed energy, heat bales and produce mycotoxins that affect animal health. It creates high-quality bales even at a higher baling moisture level.
How to use our products
Silage Preservation Programme
Our biological silage programme is designed to activate natural ensiling microbes while suppressing spoilage microbes resulting in quality silage with high metabolic energy.
Directions
Apply SilageKing at harvest. We recommend the use of a Biostart applicator. Clean the applicator system to remove any product residues prior to use. To maximise SilageKing’s efficacy it should always be used in conjunction with good silage making practices. Certain factors e.g. moisture, compaction, sealing, and soil, fertiliser or effluent contamination, may impact SilageKing’s efficacy and/or feed quality.
| Product | Use | Application |
|---|---|---|
SilageKing Liquid |
Standard round bales when whole plant matter is between 25–35% | 90 mL per bale |
| Pit silage when whole plant matter is between 25–35% | 150 mL per wet tonne | |
SilageKing Granules |
Standard round bales when whole plant matter is between 25–35% | 100 g per bale |
| Pit silage when whole plant matter is between 25–35% | 170 g per wet tonne |
Maize Silage Preservation Programme
Our biological maize silage programme is designed to activate natural ensiling microbes while suppressing spoilage microbes resulting in quality maize silage with high metabolic energy.
Directions for use
Apply MaizeKing at harvest. We recommend the use of a Biostart applicator. Clean the applicator system to remove any product residues prior to use. To maximise MaizeKing’s efficacy it should always be used in conjunction with good silage making practices.
Certain factors e.g. moisture, compaction, sealing, and soil, fertiliser or effluent contamination, may impact MaizeKing’s efficacy and/or feed quality.
| Product | Application |
|---|---|
MaizeKing Liquid |
Apply 115 mL/wet tonne at harvest with a Biostart applicator. |
Hay Preservation Programme
Our biological hay programme is designed to allow baling at a higher moisture level while producing high quality, cooler bales.
Directions for use:
Accurately measure the moisture content of all hay before baling using either a moisture meter or carry out a microwave test. Do not use HayKing if moisture levels exceed 24%.
If crop conditions change, the application rate can be changed from the cab using a dash-mounted controller. The controller enables you to regulate the application rate to meet light, medium or heavy crop loadings.
| Product | Use | Application |
|---|---|---|
HayKing Liquid |
Small bales up to 35kg with moisture level < 21% | 20mL per bale |
| Small bales up to 35 kg with moisture level 21–24% | 25mL per bale. | |
| Bigger bales with moisture level < 21% | 500mL per tonne | |
| Bigger bales with moisture level 21–24% | 700mL per tonne | |
HayKing Granules |
Small bales up to 35kg with moisture level < 18% | 20g per bale |
| Small bales up to 35kg with moisture level 18–21% | 25g per bale | |
| Small bales up to 35kg with moisture level 21–24% | 30g per bale | |
| Other bales at per tonne (1000 kg) rate with moisture level < 18% | 340g | |
| Other bales at per tonne (1000 kg) rate with moisture level 18–21% | 550g | |
| Other bales at per tonne (1000 kg) rate with moisture level 21–24% | 740g |
Evidence
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Ross Flexman Testimonial – Rural Contractor Magazine, August/September 2023 Edition A HayKing and SilageKing customer started his contracting business two years ago and already has more than 100 customers. Read more |
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Feed more cows per bale of hay The latest trials of Biostart HayKing reveal how it improves both the preservation and quality of baled hay. Read more |
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Feed more cows per bale of silage Trials reveal how Biostart SilageKing improves both the preservation and quality of baled grass silage Read more |
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Colton Bros Ltd Testimonial Rob and Rachel are managers and shareholders in Colton Bros Ltd, a silage and maize grain contracting business in the Wairarapa… Read more |
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Scott’s Ag Contracting Scott’s Ag Contracting in Carterton are long-time users of SilageKing. Read more |
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Feed more cows with MaizeKing Trials reveal how MaizeKing improves both the preservation and quality of maize silage. Read more |
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Maize trial Digester trial boosts maize yield and returns Read more |
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Maize trial Organic biofertiliser, BioStart N, combined with Digester lead to an increase maize grain yield by 22% (2 T/ha), compared to a control block in this Manawatu trial. Read more |
Additional products
If you want to get the most from your forage, we have these additional products to support you.
Digester
Digester activates soil decomposition microbes for faster crop residue breakdown, this reduces the opportunity for disease over-wintering and improves nutrient recycling and soil structure.
Apply Digester directly on the soil during or after stubble incorporation.
Biostart N
Biostart N is an organic biofertiliser utilising naturally occurring nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Use Biostart N to biologically enrich the soil, leading to more nutrient-dense crops and higher yields.
Apply Biostart N directly on the soil during or after crop trash incorporation and to the soil at sowing.
Ready to get started?
Contact us for personalised advice or find out where you can buy Biostart products: