GEM Dust Hay Preservative & Mold Inhibitor for Forage
GEM Dust is a proven hay preservative and mold inhibitor designed for forage baled at 18–25% moisture. Developed by GEM Silage Products and trusted by Canadian producers, GEM Dust helps protect forage quality by reducing mold growth, minimizing heating, and preserving valuable nutrients during storage.
When hay is baled at higher moisture levels, mold can quickly become a serious issue. Mold growth generates heat, carbon dioxide, and excess moisture, leading to spoilage, nutrient loss, and dusty hay that can negatively impact livestock health and feed consistency. GEM Dust works by reducing mold populations in alfalfa, timothy, and mixed forages, helping maintain the nutritional value your livestock depend on.
By inhibiting mold development and reducing spoilage, GEM Dust allows producers to bale with confidence while improving feed quality, consistency, and storage stability. It is an effective forage additive for farms looking to protect their hay investment and deliver cleaner, higher-quality feed throughout the feeding season.
What Is a Hay Preservative?
A hay preservative is any product applied to forage at baling to control mold and spoilage in hay that's baled before it has fully dried down. Without one, hay generally needs to be under about 18% moisture before it's safe to bale. Anything wetter risks heating, mold, and even spontaneous combustion in storage.
Hay preservatives generally fall into two categories:
- Organic-acid preservatives (typically propionic acid-based) lower the pH of the forage directly, which slows mold growth chemically.
- Bacterial inoculant preservatives, like GEM Dust, introduce beneficial bacteria (Bacillus, Pediococcus, and Lactobacillus species) that ferment sugars in the hay into lactic acid. That naturally produced lactic acid does the same job of suppressing mold, without needing a strong acid product.
Because GEM Dust works this way, it can be applied at 18-25% moisture, is non-corrosive to baling equipment, and, since lactic acid is naturally occurring, is safe for livestock and people to be around.
How GEM Dust Protects Hay & Forage from Mold
Mold growth begins quickly when moisture and heat are present inside stored bales. GEM Dust works by creating an environment that slows microbial activity, reducing the conditions mold needs to develop.
This protection helps:
- Maintain forage palatability
- Reduce dry matter losses
- Preserve protein and energy content
- Minimize heating during storage
The result is cleaner, more consistent feed that supports livestock health and performance.
Benefits of Using GEM Dust Hay Preservative
Using GEM Dust as part of your forage management program delivers long-term value beyond simple mold control. Producers benefit from improved feed quality, reduced spoilage losses, safer storage conditions, and greater flexibility during harvest. Consistent forage quality also supports better livestock intake, improved feed efficiency, and reduced waste.
GEM Dust is formulated for use across common forage types, including alfalfa, timothy, grass hay, and mixed forage blends. This versatility makes it a reliable solution for:
- Beef and dairy operations
- Mixed livestock farms
- Custom baling operations
- Commercial feed producers
Regardless of forage type, GEM Dust helps maintain quality from field to feed bunk. GEM Dust is safe for livestock and designed for straightforward application during baling. It integrates seamlessly into existing harvest workflows without requiring major equipment changes.
Ease of use ensures consistent application, helping producers achieve reliable results across varying field and weather conditions.
- Allows you to bale at 18 – 25% moisture, so you do not have to wait for that one perfect day
- Uses lactic acid, which is harmless to animals and people
- Non-corrosive to equipment
- Easy to apply as there is no need to haul water or mix
- Available in a soluble option if you are already set up for acid application
- Affordable GEM Dust Plus applicators are also available
GEM Dust Plus Soluble
- Directions For Use: Mix 5 g of product with 2 litres of clean water and disperse GEM Dust Plus uniformly on one metric tonne of green matter.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Minimum number of bacteria 2 x 1010 cfu/g from: Bacillus species 1.5 x 1010 cfu/g and lactic acid bacteria 5 x 109 cfu/g.
- GEM Dust Ingredients: Bacillus Subtilis culture dehydrated, Pediococcus Pentosaceus culture dehydrated, Lactobacillus Plantarum culture dehydrated
- GEM Dust Storage: Store in a dry, cool place and reseal immediately when not in use.
GEM Dust Plus Granular
- Directions For Use: Disperse GEM Dust Plus uniformly at 250g per metric tonne of forage before bailing at 18 - 25% moisture.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Total minimum number of bacteria 4/10 cfu/g from: Bacillus species 3 x 10 cfu/g and lactic acid bacteria 1/10 cfu/g.
- GEM Dust Ingredients: Limestone, Bacillus culture dehydrated, Pediococcus culture dehydrated, Lactobacillus culture dehydrated, silicon dioxide.
- GEM Dust Storage: Store in a dry, cool place and reseal immediately when not in use.
Gandy® Forage Additive Applicator
The Gandy® Forage Additive Applicator precisely delivers ingredients to preserve or strengthen feedstuffs. The translucent hopper allows you to check on the remaining volume easily. It also includes a precision cam gauge to regulate the openings in the spouts to ensure that you are applying Gem Dust at the recommended rate for your operation.
Available in:
- 45 lb. capacity Poly-Cam
- 100 lb. capacity Poly-Cam
Gem Silage Products has five warehouses and 40+ dealers across Canada to ensure that you get your Gandy Applicators when and where you need them.