Abstract
Second- and third-cutting alfalfa hay was baled at moisture contents ranging from 11 to 38%. Treatments included control, buffered propionic acid applied at 0.2 or 0.3% of wet weight, and propionic acid applied at 0.5 or 1.0% of wet weight. Effects of moisture content at baling on harvest losses, storage losses, and pre- and post-storage quality were determined. Quality into storage [in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and crude protein (CP)] was not better for high moisture hay; quality after storage indicated benefits of baling lower moisture hay. Propionic acid reduced storage dry matter loss in hay with higher moisture levels. Neither chemical treatment had consistent significant effects on alfalfa quality. Of the in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) placed into storage, approximately 94% was recovered after a 60-day storage period; recoveries of CP, ADF, and NDF were 99, 98, and 100%, respectively.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 349-353 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - Mar 1 1993 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)