Effect of alfalfa variety and bale wrap-type on dry matter loss and forage nutritive value of round bales in long-term, outdoor storage

Forage quality and beef cow preference is affected by wrap type of conventional and reduced-lignin alfalfa round bales stored outdoors

“…The lack of differences between conventional and reduced-lignin cultivars baled as hay and stored outdoors for >12 mo has not been previously reported. However, Reiter et al (2019) reported minimal differences in forage quality between reduced-lignin and conventional alfalfa hay when stored outdoors for 1 yr. No differences were expected between cultivars for CP, NDF, and ADF concentration based on similarities for these forage quality variables at the time of harvest ( Mertens and McCaslin, 2008 ; Getachew et al, 2011 ; Li et al, 2015 ; Grev et al, 2017 ; Peterson et al, 2018 ). However, because of differences in lignin content at the time of harvest between cultivars, ADL and NDFD48 concentration were expected to differ.…”

“…Round bales wrapped in net wrap had a greater moisture content compared with those wrapped in B-Wrap; moisture content of bales tied in twine was not different from the other wrap types. Shinners et al (2013) and Reiter et al (2019) found that moisture concentrations of hay wrapped in B-Wrap were up to 66% less compared with net wrap and twine-tied bales stored outside. However, other researchers observed no differences in moisture content between twine and net wrapped bales ( Taylor et al, 1995 ) after outdoor storage.…”

“…Bales were randomly placed in an east to west orientation (cut edges faced north and south), blocked by bale placement within the row, and arranged in a randomized complete block with stored bales as the experimental unit. Bales were stored through May 31, 2018, and during this time were utilized in a research trial investigating the effect of wrap type on DM loss and forage nutritive value of round bales in outdoor storage ( Reiter et al, 2019 ). Upon completion of that trial, bales continued to be stored outdoors, and on September 1, 2018, were transported to the Rosemount Research and Outreach Center in Rosemount, MN, and stored outdoors until fed.…”

“…In an effort to further reduce DM and forage quality losses, B-Wrap (Ambraco Inc., Dubuque, IA) was recently developed. Reiter et al (2019) found that DM losses were 7% for twine bales, 5% for net wrap bales, while B-Wrap bales maintained DM after 1 yr of outdoor storage. However, little is known about the interactive effects of round bale wrap type, alfalfa cultivar, and outdoor storage on livestock preference and hay waste during feeding.…”

“…Crude protein and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations of reduced-lignin and conventional alfalfa have been similar at the time of harvest ( Mertens and McCaslin, 2008 ; Li et al, 2015 ; Grev et al, 2017 ; Getachew et al, 2018 ). Differences in forage components of reduced-lignin and conventional alfalfa after long-term (>12 mo) outdoor storage have not been reported; however, Reiter et al (2019) suggested that alfalfa cultivar had minimal effects on forage parameters after 1 yr of outdoor storage. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to determine the effects of conventional or reduced-lignin alfalfa round bales stored outdoors and wrapped with plastic twine, net wrap, or B-Wrap on forage quality, beef cow preference, and hay waste.…”