Comparison of Alfalfa-Orchardgrass Hay Stored in Large Round Bales and Conventional Rectangular Bales for Lactating Cows

Abstract

Lactating Jersey cows were used in two trials to evaluate alfalfa-orchardgrass hay baled and stored by the following methods: 1) conventional rectangular bales; 2) large round bales, stored inside; and 3) large round bales, stored outside. Half the round bales stored outside in trial 1 were stored on automobile tires and the other half were stored on the gound. In trial 2, half of the bales stored outside were partially covered with plastic caps and the other half were exposed to the weather. Covariance adjusted milk production was significantly higher for inside over outside storage in trial 1 and for conventional over round bales and covered over exposed in trial 2.In trial 1, utilization by cows as a percent of dry matter baled was 92.9, 74.0, and 66.6% for round bales stored inside, stored outside on tires, and stored outside on the ground. Percents were 86.8, 88.8, and 65.0% for round bales stored inside, stored outside covered, and stored outside exposed in trial 2. Storing round bales on automobile tires effectively reduced bottom spoilage. Covers of polyethylene film reduced weather deterioration and feeding waste of covered bales to amount of bales stored inside.