Moisture and Storage Effects on Dry Matter and Quality Losses of Alfalfa in Round Bales

Abstract

ABSTRACT ALFALFA (Medicago sativa L.) hay storage in round bales has increased in recent years in the North Central region. Experiments were conducted to measure alfalfa moisture concentration and storage method effects on dry matter and quality losses during storage either inside or outside. Acid detergent fiber concentration immediately after baling increased as moisture decreased indicating significant effects on leaf loss during baling. However, alfalfa baled at higher moisture had a higher percentage of its N in the acid detergent insoluble-N fraction after 3 months of storage. Bales stored outside lost 9.1% of their initial DM and 13.6% of m vitro digestible DM compared with 3.8 and 7.5%, respectively, for similar bales stored inside. Round and rectangular bales stored inside were similar in quality before storage and had similar DM losses during storage. However, round bales were higher in neutral detergent fiber after storage than rectangular bales in most cases, but did not differ in N concentration. Weathered hay from bales stored outside was much lower in nonstructural carbohydrates and higher in fiber than samples of the entire package. Alfalfa treated with 10 kg Mg ' of a propionic:acetic acid mixture (80/20 w/w) had storage losses similar to those for dry hay baled with no treatment.