Home page>
Blog>
Cultivating 3,000 Acres: Alfalfa Silage Baling

Cultivating 3,000 Acres: Alfalfa Silage Baling

Hebei JingMing Agricultural Development Co. Ltd. revolutionized their dairy cattle feed production by transitioning from labor-intensive, time consuming hay to nutrient-rich alfalfa silage, implementing baling to ensure consistent, high-quality feed year-round. This shift not only enhanced milk yield and quality but also set a new benchmark in sustainable dairy farming.

An overview of multiple green fields in China, with a small town in the middle — Hebei province in China has almost 1,5 million dairy cattle

Multiple tractors on a green field, harvesting alfalfa grass with movers — Harvesting Alfalfa in the Hebei province in China.

Boosting Dairy Feed Production

Back in 2015, Hebei JingMing Agricultural Development Co. Ltd. took on a big project: cultivating 3,000 acres in China to boost their dairy cattle feed production. Their main focus at the time was hay production, which takes about a week to cut, dry, and bale—a process that's not only labor-intensive but also heavily dependent on good weather.

As weather became more unpredictable, they needed a more reliable solution for consistent feed quality. Their search led them to Wisconsin U.S., where they saw advanced alfalfa silage production in action.

Inspired, they began growing alfalfa—a high-protein crop perfect for providing stable, high-quality feed year-round, essential for maximizing milk yield and quality.

Hebei Province in China

As of 2022, there was 1,4 million dairy cattle in the Hebei province in China
Hebei is one of Chinas top beef-producing regions
The province's fertile plains support the cultivation of various crops, including wheat, corn, cotton, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Hebei is home to over 74 million people, making it one of China's most populous provinces.

A harvester cutting grass, transferring it to a truck driving side-by-side — Hebei JingMing manages 3,000 acres, and transitioned from hay production to alfalfa silage in 2018.

Two agricultural compactors baling on a big concrete area with round bales in the background. A front loader dumps material into the feed hoppers — An efficient setup where crops are quickly conserved post-harvest, preventing degradation.

Enhancing Dairy Nutrition: Implementing Alfalfa Silage Baling

To keep the alfalfa's nutritional value intact until feedout, they purchased their first Orkel compactor, an MP2000-X, in 2018 to switch from bunker silo to baling. The baling method involves compacting and wrapping the alfalfa, protecting it from environmental factors that could degrade its quality. Baling not only preserves the nutritional content of the crop, but also makes storage and handling easier.

The shift from bunker silo to bales, reduced total costs from 90 Yuan per tonne to 70-80 Yuan per tonne. Despite the similar overall costs, Mr. Yu emphasizes that the quality of the alfalfa silage bales is significantly superior.

By incorporating baled alfalfa silage into their feed formula, Hebei JingMing ensures their dairy cows receive a consistent and balanced diet, leading to optimal milk production and minimal feed waste.

The back of a man wearing an orange jacket and white sun hat in the foreground, looking at a agricultural compactor wrapping a round bale — Each round bale has high density with up to 800 kg of alfalfa silage.

A tractor with a feed mixer driving throug a feeding tray unloading feed for the cattle — Hebei JingMing is managing a dairy farm with thousands of dairy cows. Even a small drop in feed quality can mean big losses in profit.

Elevating Feed Management with the Orkel Precision System

Always looking to innovate, in 2023, they implemented the Orkel Precision system. This technology provides real-time data on production metrics like location, time, and dry matter content of the feed. With precise inventory tracking, they can accurately assess forage availability, making informed decisions about purchasing additional feed or selling surplus.

This level of control ensures a consistent feed supply, directly contributing to optimal milk production.

Enhancing Feed Quality and Milk Production

By strategically adopting advanced agricultural practices and technologies, Hebei JingMing has significantly improved their feed production process. Focusing on alfalfa silage, precise nutrition formulation, and state-of-the-art conservation methods has led to a stable, high-quality feed supply.