Some changes associated with the field drying of lucerne and timothy

Abstract

Lucerne (approximately 10% flowering, 270 g dry matter kg~') and timothy (boot stage, 310 g dry matter kg"') were harvested and allowed to wilt for a period of 52-5 h. During the early stages of wilting of lucerne there were increases in the proportion of leaf material (dry weight basis), as well as increases in total available carbohydrate and water soluble carbohydrate concentrations. Approximately 50% of the leaf material in lucerne and in timothy was lost after a drying period of 52-5 h and after tedding and raking operations prior to baling of the hay. This resulted in considerable reduction in the protein content of both lucerne and timothy. (Results are means (and standard errors) of three samples. t DM basis. J CP=crude protein; TAC = total available carbohydrates; WSC = water soluble carbohydrates.

Fermentation and chemical composition of high‐moisture lucerne leaf and stem silages harvested at different stages of development using a leaf stripper

“…On the other hand, whole plants experienced a trade-off with wilting. During the early hours of wilting, WSC content increases (Alli, Robidas, Noroozi, & Baker, 1985). However, starch content decreases with wilting time (Morin et al, 2012).…”

“…As a result, there were substantial differences in WSC availability at ensiling between the two cuttings. During the early hours of wilting, WSC content increases (Alli, Robidas, Noroozi, & Baker, 1985). However, if many other high-energy feeds are available, it may be a better approach to add amylolytic LAB at ensiling so that the starch in lucerne leaf fractions is utilized by amylolytic LAB to increase available WSC content for lactic acid production, as shown in other starchy crops (Reddy, Altaf, Naveena, Venkateshwar, & Kumar, 2008).…”

Methods for reduction of water soluble carbohydrate content in grass forages for horses

“…The DM loss resulted in considerable reduction of CP but in an increase in WSC concentration. This was explained by the fact that a large proportion of WSC (especially sucrose and fructans) were present in stems and not in leaves (Alli et al, 1985). The same explanation may be valid for the difference reported in content of metabolizable energy, which was higher in silage than in haylage and hay in the present study.…”

“…During hay-making, leaf loss during tedding and raking in the field often results in reducedprotein concentration, but it may not result in reduced WSC concentration (Alli et al, 1985;McGeechan, 1988). Alli et al (1985) found that approximately 50% of the leaf material was lost during a drying period of 53 h when making hay from lucerne (Medicago sativa) and timothy (Phleum pratense). The DM loss resulted in considerable reduction of CP but in an increase in WSC concentration.…”

Nonstructural Carbohydrate Concentration during Field Wilting of PM‐ and AM‐Cut Alfalfa

“…Although previous studies evaluated changes in NSC concentration during wilting [Alli et al (1985) in alfalfa and timothy; Trevino et al (1995) in oat ( Avena sativa L.)] relative to swath management [Wilkinson et al (1999) in perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.); Shinners and Herzmann (2006) and Kung et al (2010) in alfalfa], limited information is available for the changes in the NSC concentration following PM‐ and AM‐cutting. To establish management practices that favor high NSC concentration in forages, we monitored the changes in NSC concentration during field wilting of PM‐ and AM‐cut alfalfa for narrow and wide swaths.…”