Ralco, through its Agnition brand, has announced a strategic partnership with AGCO to deliver a new standard in hay preservation. The collaboration introduces a complete system that pairs AGCO’s HayBoss® DryMax™ granular applicator with BaleMax™ hay preservative, powered by Ralco’s patented Microbial Catalyst technology. The system will be featured at the 2025 Farm Progress Show, August 26–28 in Decatur, Illinois.
For years, Ralco’s dual action hay preservative proved its value in protecting hay quality for producers. However, consistent and controlled application remained a challenge due to the limitations of manual applicator systems. That changes with the launch of the HayBoss DryMax applicator. Developed by AGCO Parts, it is the first fully automatic, machine-integrated granular applicator designed to deliver the precision BaleMax requires.
“This partnership fills the last missing piece,” said Tony Goebel, Vice President of Business Development at Ralco. “We’ve always had the science at Ralco to protect forage quality. Now, we have the engineering for precise application. This is the system we, and our customers, have been waiting for.”
BaleMax is formulated for hay baled between 16–23% moisture and uses a two-phase approach to preservation. An organic acid provides an initial drop in pH, while Ralco’s patented Microbial Catalyst technology activates naturally occurring beneficial bacteria in the bale that continues the pH-reducing process. This activity helps limit heating, mold growth and protein damage in high-moisture areas.
The same microbial technology used in BaleMax has been evaluated in Ralco’s Anchor for Hay for decades. In multiple research studies, treated hay maintained a relative feed value 30 points higher than untreated bales, contained 3.67% less heat-damaged protein and showed significantly lower mold levels, 278 times less after 120 days of storage.
The DryMax applicator includes a patent-pending chain metering system that delivers product up to four times faster than auger-based systems. Features such as flow sensors, real-time blockage detection and automatic crop sensing help ensure accurate dosing per bale. The applicator is built with a bearing-less, greaseless design, abrasion-resistant components and a self-cleaning air system to reduce maintenance and improve uptime.
Together, BaleMax and DryMax offer a practical option for producers baling at a higher moisture. The system is designed to support hay quality during challenging harvest conditions, helping retain leaf matter, reduce caramelization and preserve color, aroma and feed value through storage. Additionally, the BaleMax formula only activates when moisture is present and will not corrode equipment.
The BaleMax and DryMax system is being launched for compatibility with Hesston by Massey Ferguson large square balers via ISOBUS or as a standalone unit. Round and small square baler compatibility will be launched later in the future. System calibration is designed to take less than five minutes.
See BaleMax & DryMax in Action at Farm Progress
The BaleMax and DryMax system will be demonstrated at the 2025 Farm Progress Show. Visit the AGCO exhibit in Outdoor Lot 333, located at the intersection of Central Progress Avenue and Second Progress Street, to see how the system integrates biological and mechanical technologies to support effective hay preservation.
For more information, contact your local AGCO Parts dealer or visit RalcoAgriculture.com to learn more about the science behind Microbial Catalyst.
About Ralco
Ralco is a family-owned agricultural health and nutrition company with a global presence, distributing products in over 40 countries. Inspired by nature and powered by science, Ralco develops innovative, natural solutions to support plant and animal health. Learn more at https://ralcoagriculture.com.
About AGCO
AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology. AGCO delivers value to farmers and OEM customers through its differentiated brand portfolio including leading brands Fendt®, Massey Ferguson®, PTx and Valtra®. AGCO’s full line of equipment, smart farming solutions and services helps farmers sustainably feed our world. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA, AGCO had net sales of approximately $11.7 billion in 2024. For more information, visit www.agcocorp.com.