As long as your calves continue to eat the five pounds of calf starter, the baleage should be O.K. Calves can be fed balage at any age, the grain intake will likely supply most of the needed nutrients until 4 months in any type of diet. As a result we would recommend waiting until the calves are four months of age as the baleage will be higher in degradable protein, and calves may not receive enough rumen undegradable protein for optimal growth. Drier haylage (50% dry matter) would be better than wetter haylage.
Mike Hutjens, Extension Dairy Specialist, University of Illinois - Illini DairyNET
Arlyn Heinrichs, Dairy Extension, Penn State University.
