The EU dairy industry is the largest in the world, with around 20 million dairy cows producing high-quality milk every day. A key part of running a successful dairy farm is making sure that feed is stored efficiently to reduce waste, save money, and support sustainable farming.

Why Feed Storage Matters

Studies show that poor silage storage can lead to 15% feed loss, while improved storage solutions like baled silage, can reduce losses to 5% or less. This doesn’t just mean wasted feed—it also means higher costs and unnecessary emissions.

For example, in the Dutch dairy industry, which has around 1.6 million dairy cows, improving feed storage could reduce emissions by 300,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalents per year. Now, if these improvements were made across all 20 million dairy cows in the EU, we could potentially cut 3.7 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually—all while making better use of the feed we already have.

What Affects Feed Storage Efficiency?

1. Grazing vs. Stored Feed

• In some countries, like Ireland, cows graze most of the year, meaning less reliance on stored silage.
• In other regions, like Denmark, cows are mainly fed stored feed, making efficient storage even more important.

2. Different Storage Methods

• Many farmers rely on silos, even though research suggests that high-density round bales do a better job at preventing spoilage.
• In warmer climates, spoilage risks are higher, making proper storage even more critical.

3. The Potential Beyond Dairy

• It’s not just dairy cows that rely on stored forage—beef cattle, sheep, and goats also consume large amounts of silage.
• If better storage methods were used across all 120 million livestock animals in the EU, the impact would be even greater.

A Practical Solution: Baling!

By improving feed storage, farmers can reduce waste, cut costs, and ensure high-quality feed for their animals. Orkel compactors provide a reliable and efficient way to bale different types of forage, including chopped grass, maize, alfalfa, and beet pulp.

Are you curious about baling?

Let’s talk! Our team is ready to discuss how baling can be implemented into your operation. Contact us through the form below!

Hebei JingMing Agricultural Development Co. Ltd. a révolutionné sa production d’alimentation pour bovins laitiers en passant du foin, exigeant en main-d’œuvre et en temps, à l’ensilage de luzerne riche en nutriments, en mettant en place un système de mise en balles pour garantir un aliment constant et de haute qualité tout au long de l’année. Ce changement a non seulement amélioré le rendement et la qualité du lait, mais a également établi une nouvelle référence en matière d’élevage laitier durable.

Augmenter la production d’alimentation pour bovins laitiers

En 2015, Hebei JingMing Agricultural Development Co. Ltd. a entrepris un projet ambitieux : cultiver 3 000 acres en Chine pour augmenter sa production d’alimentation pour bovins laitiers. À l’époque, leur principale activité était la production de foin, un processus qui prend environ une semaine pour être coupé, séché et mis en balles. Cette méthode était non seulement exigeante en main-d’œuvre, mais aussi fortement dépendante des conditions météorologiques.

Avec un climat de plus en plus imprévisible, ils avaient besoin d’une solution plus fiable pour garantir une qualité d’alimentation constante. Leur recherche les a menés jusqu’au Wisconsin, aux États-Unis, où ils ont découvert des techniques avancées de production d’ensilage de luzerne.

Inspirés par cette approche, ils ont commencé à cultiver de la luzerne, une plante riche en protéines idéale pour offrir une alimentation stable et de haute qualité tout au long de l’année, essentielle pour maximiser le rendement et la qualité du lait.

Province du Hebei en Chine

• En 2022, la province du Hebei en Chine comptait 1,4 million de bovins laitiers.
• Le Hebei est l’une des principales régions productrices de bœuf en Chine.
• Les plaines fertiles de la province permettent la culture de diverses récoltes, notamment le blé, le maïs, le coton ainsi qu’une grande variété de fruits et légumes.
• Le Hebei abrite plus de 74 millions d’habitants, ce qui en fait l’une des provinces les plus peuplées de Chine.

Améliorer la nutrition des bovins laitiers : Mise en balles d’ensilage de luzerne

Pour préserver la valeur nutritive de la luzerne jusqu’à son utilisation, ils ont acheté leur premier compacteur Orkel, un MP2000-X, en 2018, passant ainsi du silo couloir à la mise en balles. Cette méthode consiste à compacter et enrubanner la luzerne, la protégeant ainsi des facteurs environnementaux pouvant altérer sa qualité. La mise en balles permet non seulement de conserver les nutriments de la culture, mais aussi de faciliter son stockage et sa manutention.

Le passage du silo couloir aux balles a permis de réduire les coûts totaux de 90 yuans par tonne à 70-80 yuans par tonne. Malgré des coûts globaux similaires, M. Yu souligne que la qualité des balles d’ensilage de luzerne est nettement supérieure.

En incorporant de l’ensilage de luzerne en balles dans leur formule d’alimentation, Hebei JingMing garantit que leurs vaches laitières reçoivent une alimentation constante et équilibrée, ce qui conduit à une production de lait optimale et à un minimum de gaspillage d’aliment.

Elevating Feed Management with the Orkel Precision Élever la gestion de l’alimentation avec le système Orkel Precision

Toujours à la recherche d’innovations, ils ont mis en place le système Orkel Precision en 2023. Cette technologie fournit des données en temps réel sur les indicateurs de production tels que la localisation, le temps et la teneur en matière sèche de l’aliment. Grâce à un suivi précis des stocks, ils peuvent évaluer avec précision la disponibilité des fourrages, ce qui leur permet de prendre des décisions éclairées concernant l’achat de fourrage supplémentaire ou la vente de surplus.

Ce niveau de contrôle garantit un approvisionnement constant en aliment, contribuant directement à une production de lait optimale.

Améliorer la qualité de l’alimentation et la production de lait

En adoptant stratégiquement des pratiques agricoles avancées et des technologies de pointe, Hebei JingMing a considérablement amélioré son processus de production d’aliment. Se concentrer sur l’ensilage de luzerne, la formulation nutritionnelle précise et les méthodes de conservation de dernière génération a conduit à un approvisionnement en aliment stable et de haute qualité.

Selon M. Yu, cette approche globale avec la mise en balles de l’ensilage de luzerne a été cruciale pour améliorer le rendement et la qualité du lait, renforçant ainsi la position de l’entreprise dans l’industrie laitière.

Are you aware that the dry matter loss in round bales is just 5% compared to about 20% loss in bunker silos?

A recent study from the China Central Agricultural University found that using round bales can save you thousands in feed loss-costs every year. The study shows that after one year of feed storage, the dry matter loss in round bales is 5% compared to 20% loss in bunker silos, resulting in savings of up to €20 per tonne of feed.

Change in nutrient contents over time

In the study, researchers compared maize forage stored in a bunker silo with maize forage stored in various round bale types, and they analysed the changes in dry matter, starch, and other nutrients after 1, 6, and 12 months.

Here’s what they discovered:

• After 6 months of storage
  Round bales produced by Orkel compactors with BPI plastic film saw about a 5% loss in dry matter, while the  bunker silo with additives lost between 11-18%.

• After 12 months of storage
  Round bales still only lost around 5% of dry matter. In contrast, the bunker silo lost about 20%.

Reduce Feed Losses and Boost Milk Yields with Round Bales

Higher dry matter loss directly impacts both feed quality and quantity, leading to significant financial losses for farmers. For example, farmers storing maize silage in bunker silos can face losses of up to €26 per tonne of dry matter after a year of storage due to feed loss, compared to only €7 per tonne with round bales.

This translates to potential savings of around €20 per tonne by choosing round bales over bunker silos. These numbers are based on the cost of maize in China in 2024 that the study used.

Additionally, the quality of the remaining forage can be compromised, further impacting livestock performance.

A study by CRV Holland found that dairy cows fed round bales on average produce 7 more litres of milk per day compared to those fed silage from bunker silos. This highlights the added benefits of round bales, not only in cost savings, but also in improving livestock productivity.

Storage and transport flexibility

Round bales offer significant advantages beyond cost savings, providing flexible and weather-tight storage options. Their durable design allows storage virtually anywhere and lets you stack up to six bales vertically, maximising space.

Ideal for efficient buying and selling, round bales are easy-to-transport unit packages that simplify logistics.

With Orkel Precision and BaleID technology, both buyers and sellers gain access to a full product declaration, including essential details like production date, weight, and dry matter content, ensuring transparency and quality in every bale.

Round bale benefits in short:

• Flexible storage
• Easy transportation
• Complete product declaration
• Less feedloss
• Better feed quality retention

Give us a hint on sales@orkel.no and we will reach out to you to discuss how the Orkel compactor and round bales can be implemented in your production!

In the industrial sector, wood shavings is often considered as a simple by-product. However, with the introduction of Orkel compactors, perceptions are changing.

This technology not only transforms sawdust into a valuable resource but also highlights its potential in various applications, driving both environmental sustainability and financial viability.

Financial Viability and Resource Optimization

Employing Orkel compactors to bale wood shavings not only diminishes waste but also unveils new avenues for income. Whether through the sale of biofuel bales or livestock bedding, the potential uses extend beyond the conventional.

Additionally, compacted wood shavings finds utility in farming as a soil amendment, enriching garden beds by improving soil structure and moisture retention. Another creative application includes its use as a natural packaging material, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic cushioning when shipping products.

This versatility opens possibilities for uses that may not have been previously considered, indicating a wide array of opportunities for industries to explore.

Smoother Operations All-Around

Switching from loose wood shavings to compact and weather proof bales significantly enhances logistical operations.

This not only simplifies storage and transportation but also optimizes space, making operations more efficient.

Easier Access During Resource Shortages

Orkel Direkte, Orkel’s sister company based in Norway, initiated its wood shavings baling venture in 2023. Producing over 6,700 bales of wood shavings in 2023, notably exceeding expectations during a period of severe resource shortages in Europe.

This success not only underscores the efficiency of Orkel compactors but also their critical role in a relatively untapped European market. Baling offers a solution to the pressing sustainability challenges faced across the continent.

Efficient operations with minimal training

Orkel compactors are distinguished by their accessibility and ease of operation, designed to be user-friendly. This design ensures that the compactors can be operated with minimal specialized training, emphasizing efficiency and reducing the need for extensive maintenance, thanks to their robust construction.

Redefining the value of wood shavings

Orkel compactors are redefining the role of sawdust in the industry sectors, turning it from a disregarded by-product into a valuable asset. Through the lens of Orkel Direkte’s achievements and the broader benefits these compactors offer, it’s clear that embracing such technologies can lead to more sustainable, efficient, and profitable operations. This journey of transformation not only changes the fate of sawdust but also opens up new possibilities for industry-wide innovation and environmental stewardship.

The birth of innovation

In 2002, Orkel made history by launching the first-ever agricultural compactor: The Orkel MP2000! The agricultural compactor not only improved feed storage logistics but also paved the way for a more sustainable approach to utilizing our land and crops.

The commitment to innovation was recognized at Agritechnica 2003, where Orkel won the silver medal of innovation. This acknowledgment highlighted Orkel’s meaningful contribution to the advancement of agricultural technology.

25 Orkel compactors and Counting

Switzerland, a country known for its precision in agriculture, has embraced the Agricultural compactor-technology with open arms. To this date, Orkel has successfully delivered 25 Dens-X compactors to Swiss customers.  

Machine number 25 to Switzerland was the Agritechnica 2023 limited edition all black Dens-X compactor! An one-of-a-kind Orkel compactor, equipped with the latest upgrades, including a new software for up to 20% widefilm savings, enhanced security, and premium LED lighting!

For Orkel, 25 machines to Switzerland is a testament to the reliability and effectiveness of our innovative machinery.

Fostering a Strong Partnership

Serco Landtechnik, serving as Orkel’s esteemed dealer in Switzerland, has played a cruicial role in the seamless delivery of Orkel agricultural compactors and dedicated support to Swiss customers. Serco Landtechnik has not only facilitated the physical delivery and support, but has also served as a reliable link between Orkel and the customer.

Embracing Tomorrow with Optimism

The success of the Agricultural compactors, marked by the Agritechnica recognition and widespread adoption in Switzerland as well as more than 60 countries worldwide, has set the stage for a future where farming is not just about cultivation. It is now about leveraging cutting-edge technology for a more sustainable and efficient agriculture.

Orkel’s journey from introducing the first ever Agricultural compactor in 2002 to receiving the silver medal at Agritechnica in 2003, and today being present in over 60 countries, reflects a commitment to advancing agricultural technology. 

With 25 Dens-X compactors actively contributing to Swiss agriculture, Orkel plays a role in shaping the future of farming.

The agricultural business is continuously looking for improvements in a competitive environment. Low milk prices motivates search for improvements. Are there opportunities for both reducing cost and at the same time improving productivity? Take a look at the three main benefits with feeding chopped grass baled with an Orkel compactor.

#1: Forage quality

For the dairy and beef industry, forage is a critical resource. Forage represent the main cost of dairy and beef production and the quality of the forage strongly influence animal performance as well as veterinary costs.

The main challenge with conserving forage is oxygen. When forage is exposed to oxygen, several important nutrients are lost and studies show that you can lose up to 30% of the nutrients when conserving forage in a bunker/pit silo. In an environmental aspect, this leads to a corresponding need for cultivated land. It also means that your cattle need more forage to produce the expected amount of milk and meat. Cows are reacting to quality and structure of the forage. Garbage in is garbage out.

Forage in bales are proven to have a loss of only 1-2% of nutritions. This is due to the compaction and tight film wrapping keeping the nutrition within the bale.

A study done by CRV Holland, comparing forage from Orkel bales with bunker silo, showed some interesting figures: Cattle fed with forage from Orkel bales produced 30% more milk with 28% more fat, 22% more protein and 60% lower cell count.
Gold in is gold out.

#2: Higer forage intake

Research institutes world-wide have been looking at the effect of short chopped grass compared to long stemmed grass. The Norwegian research institute Bioforsk, connected to the Norwegian AG university, presents figures showing the effect of feeding chopped forage of 1 inch (2,5 cm) compared to 2,5 inch (7,5 cm).

For the two situations, the forage intake was accordingly 25 lb (11,3 kg) dry matter for the short chopped grass, compared to 22,7 lb (10,2kg) dry matter for the long stemmed grass. This difference in forage intake of 10 %, resulted in an increase of milk yield as well as higher fat content.

#3: Reduced costs

Increased density
An important advantage of baling short chopped grass is increased density. Studies comparing baling of forage of 2-6in chop length to 1in, shows an increased density of approx. 25 – 30 % when baling with the Orkel compactor. 25% higher density means 25% less costs in logistics as well as less cost in film wrapping. It also limits food loss and food waste.

Baling on the farm yard and baling on the field
Die Grüne, an agriculture magazine in Switzerland, did studies in 2019 comparing the costs of grass harvesting. They compared harvest, transport, baling and operator costs in these two cases:

• Baling grass with normal stender length on the field with a traditional combi grass baler
• Using a harvester and baling short chopped grass with the Orkel compactor

The results:

• Cost per bale with a combi baler: EUR 45,16
• Cost per bale with harvester+compactor: EUR 34,92
  

Not only does the harvester+compactor provide you lower production costs, the forage quality is also improved due to higher density. Your cattle will get more nutrition and produce more milk and meat making you more profitable. Read about the forage producer who increased their market share.

Benefits of baling with an Orkel compactor:

• 25-30% higher density
  Compared to conserving your forage in a bunker or tower silo, the density will be up to 30% higher. High density means less oxygen and better forage quality
• High forage quality
  Tight film wrapping and high density makes sure the nutrients are kept within the bale. You avoid big nutrient losses in your forage.
• Easy logistics
  Forage in bales is easy to handle. The bales can be stored anywhere, and up to 36 months.
• Easy market access
  Forage in unit packages is easy to buy and sell.
• High animal performance
  Forage in bales is more appetizing to your cattle making them eat more and produce more milk.
• Less use of film wrapping
  Higher density compared to a traditional grass baler, means fewer and heavier bales and less use of film wrapping. This is good for the environment and your profit!

You are welcome to contact us on sales@orkel.no for more information about our technology and how it can make you more profitable.

Wishing you a good harvest!

Effective maize silage baling has been possible since 2003, when the world’s first commercial maize baler for chopped maize / corn silage was made: the Orkel MP2000. Now, forage maize bales are used in more than 40 countries.

Reasons in short:

• Increased milk yield / live weight gain
• Higher DM intake
• Better milk quality by increased protein and fat
• Improved animal health

Research shows an increase in milk production by use of maize in high density bales compared to maize in silo. This research is done by CRV Cattle Improvement, in Holland.

Research done by the University of Gembloux, Belgium, shows an increase of profitability in meat production by 20%.

How? Watch the baling process in this film and learn more below.

Forage quality

• Remove the oxygen
• Keep the oxygen out
• Less spoilage

Contact with oxygen spoils the maize silage. Bacteria consumes the nutrition when the maize is in contact with oxygen. The compaction process removes the oxygen and the maize bale is wrapped in air tight film. The result is no oxygen inside, and no oxygen gets in to the maize bale. This happens to a greater extent in high density bales than in bunker silos or bags.

The result is superior conservation of the content. Benefits are less bacterial spoilage during storage and transport, and stable silage for longer term storage. On top of that, high density maize bales have lower rates of air infiltration during feedout.

« After years of practical vet. experience I started together with my children a considerable agricultural exploitation. We also specialized ourselves in breeding and fattening the White Belgian Blue. 3 years ago we started with the Orkel High Density bales in our dairy production. The excellent stable microbiology of the Orkel bales gives a better microbiological flora in the rumen leading to a better valorization of the nutrition’s.

Since we started with Orkel bales the quality and the taste of our fresh milk, butter and cheese is much higher due to a good organized fermentation. The Orkel bales allow us to make a complete mixed feeding for at least 48 h without warming up, even in the summer. With a bunker silo we could have never reached the same quality standard. » – Veterinary Jean Devillers

Benefits

Minimal or no losses in forage conservation provides huge benefits to the livestock farmer. User experience during more than 10 years , as well as several independent test reports, confirm the advantages of Orkel high density maize bales to provide:

• Increased milk yield/ live weight gain
• Higher DM intake
• Better milk quality by increased protein and fat
• Improved animal health
  

In turn, these benefits have a positive impact on the financial return from milk and meat production.

Baling capacity and bale weight

We offer four different maize balers

We would love to tell you more about the Orkel compactors and our technology!
Contact us by email sales@orkel.no or phone +47 948 14 010