Storage Of Hay Research Articles

Demonstration of Improved Baler in Selected Kebeles of Kafta Humera Wereda of Western Zone of Tigray

The study aimed to demonstrate baler in four farmers' research groups in selected kebeles of Kafta Humera district, Tigray, Ethiopia. Each kebele had one farmers' group, resulting in four groups of 15 members each. Farmers and development agents received practical training on baler operation before the experiment. Data on time, manpower, transport and storage space, lubricant consumption, and loaded weight per trip of both grass hays and hay losses for unbaled hay were recorded for three consecutive years, from 2020 to 2022. In 2022, farmers' attitudes were assessed using a checklist. Results showed that baled hay had a significantly higher loaded weight per trip (12.50±0.23 ton/trip) than unbaled grass hay (7.24±0.24 ton/trip), with a comparative advantage of 5.26±0.28 ton per ton more weights of baled hay being transported. Baling also significantly reduced the space required for transportation and storage of grass hay from 9.20±0.66 m3 /ton (unbaled) to 7.20±0.14 m3 /ton (baled), with a space savings of 2.00±0.66 m3 /ton. Balers also significantly decreased the time and labor required for baling, loading, and uploading of grass hay from 5.0±0.29 hours and 4.52±0.34 labor per ton (unbaled) to 4.39±0.36 hours and 3.72±0.10 labor per ton (baled), with savings of time (1.08±0.35 hours/ton) and labor (0.80±0.38 labor/ton). Baled grass hay had lower lubricant consumption (11.14±0.42 liters/ton) than unbaled grass hay (12.63±0.43 liters/ton), with a comparative fuel savings of 1.48±0.16 liters per ton. There was a hay loss of 0.002±0.001 ton per a single trip from loading up to uploading of unbaled hay. Farmers perceived that the baler improves hay lifespan, reduces costs, labor, and time, minimizes wastage, enhances zero grazing, and creates income opportunities. Farmers expressed a strong desire to own balers individually or in groups. Therefore, wider introduction of balers is recommended for further popularization and expansion of the technology.

Nutritive value, silage fermentation characteristics, and aerobic stability of 3 round-baled, perennial-grass forages ensiled with or without a propionic-acid-based preservative

Propionic-acid-based products are used commonly for storage of dry hay but generally not for baled silages. The objective for this study was to compare perennial-grass-silage bales made with 2 application rates of a propionic-acid-based preservative against untreated controls for storage efficiency, nutrient preservation, fermentation characteristics, and aerobic stability. This study evaluated 3 preservative treatments applied to 3 perennial-grass forages (meadow fescue, orchardgrass, or tall fescue) that had been field wilted to respective moisture concentrations of 31.1, 42.1, or 41.4% before baling. A propionic-acid-based preservative was applied at rates of 0.01 (control), 0.48, or 0.77% of wet bale weight to 24 round bales. After an 84-d storage period, aerobic stability was assessed by exposing bales to outside weather conditions during October for 14 d. On a pre-ensiled basis, preservative application increased ( P < 0.001) buffering capacity and decreased ( P < 0.001) initial pH relative to control bales. After storage, orchardgrass silages exhibited greater ( P < 0.05) concentrations of lactic and total acids than other forage types, which was partially related to differences in bale moisture compared with meadow fescue. During a 14-d aerobic exposure period, the maximum surface temperature (0.15-m depth) was greater for controls compared with preservative-treated silages (33.4 vs. 15.2°C; P < 0.001), and exposed pH exhibited a similar response (5.76 vs. 5.26; P < 0.001). Application of a propionic-acid-based preservative improved aerobic stability in relatively dry grass silages, but cost must be weighed in any decision before use.

Spatial Clustering by Red Deer and Its Relevance for Management of Chronic Wasting Disease.

Simple SummaryChronic Wasting Disease is a deadly infectious disease affecting cervids that was discovered in Norway in 2016. CWD can transmit through environmental reservoirs and aggregation and spatial clustering of animals may affect transmission. Deer usually forage on scattered forage, but anthropogenic food sources are often concentrated in space, leading to spatial aggregation. We determined what caused red deer to revisit the same locations in the environment, and the extent to which this was caused by anthropogenic food sources. We document that the most visited sites were indeed anthropogenic, which opens potential avenues to disease mitigation.Herbivores like cervids usually graze on widely scattered forage, but anthropogenic food sources may cause spatial revisitation and aggregation, posing a risk for transmission of infectious diseases. In 2016, chronic wasting disease (CWD) was first detected in Norway. A legal regulation to ban supplemental feeding of cervids and to fence stored hay bales was implemented to lower aggregation of cervids. Knowledge of further patterns and causes of spatial revisitation can inform disease management. We used a recently developed revisitation analysis on GPS-positions from 13 red deer (Cervus elaphus) to identify the pattern of spatial clustering, and we visited 185 spatial clusters during winter to identify the causes of clustering. Anthropogenic food sources were found in 11.9% of spatial clusters, which represented 31.0% of the clusters in agricultural fields. Dumping of silage and hay bales were the main anthropogenic food sources (apart from agricultural fields), and unfenced hay bales were available despite the regulation. The probability of the clusters being in agricultural fields was high during winter. It may be necessary to find other ways of disposing of silage and enforcing the requirement of fencing around hay bales to ensure compliance, in particular during winters with deep snow.

Nutritive value, silage fermentation characteristics, and aerobic stability of round-baled, alfalfa–grass forages ensiled at 2 moisture concentrations with or without a propionic-acid-based preservative

Propionic-acid-based products are used commonly for storage of dry hay but are not often considered when ensiling baled forages. The objectives for this study were to test several application rates of a propionic-acid-based preservative on the storage efficiency, nutrient preservation, fermentation characteristics, and aerobic stability of alfalfa–grass silages. This study evaluated 4 preservative treatments applied to alfalfa–grass forages that had received 5.1 mm of unexpected rainfall during wilting. A propionic-acid-based preservative was applied at rates of 0.01 (control), 0.13, 0.44, or 0.80% of wet bale weight to 24 (1.2 × 1.2 m) round bales made at either 43.6 or 51.6% moisture. Aerobic stability was then evaluated by removing plastic film from all bales and monitoring surface bale temperatures for 11 d during spring. After exposure, surface and core samples were evaluated further for residual fermentation products and pH. Before fermentation, forage pH declined linearly ( P < 0.001) from 6.14 to 5.77 with increasing product-application rates. After 242 d of storage, there were linear increases in concentrations of total alcohols ( P = 0.002), and particularly 2,3-butanediol ( P < 0.001), with increasing preservative application rates. After aerobic exposure, maximum surface temperatures (0.15-m depth) declined linearly ( P = 0.001) from 55.6 to 17.9°C with preservative application rate. A similar linear ( P = 0.002) effect was observed for exposed surface pH (range = 6.52 to 5.41). Propionic-acid-based preservatives improved aerobic stability of round-bale silages, but the additional cost must be a critical component of any overall management strategy.

BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEPIDOGLYPHUS DESTRUCTOR (SCHRANK) (ACARI: ASTIGMATA: GLYCYPHAGIDAE) REARED UNDER THREE TEMPERATURE DEGREES AND DIETS

The glycyphagid mite, Lepidoglyphus destructor (Schrank) individuals were extracted from wheatand broad bean hay at El-Menofia Governorate and reared on different stored hay at three temperature degrees. Biological experiments and observations were conducted in the laboratory under controlled conditions of 20 oC, 25 oC and 30 oC and relative humidity 80 % R.H. Broad bean and wheat hay were used singly and mixed with dry yeast as a mite food.The obtained results showed that developmental stages, longevity and life span and fecundity were obviously affected at different diets and temperature degrees. The highest life span period was recorded with female fed on mixture of broad bean and yeast averaged as 49.4 days at 20 oC, but the shortest period was recorded for male individuals at 30 oC when reared on the mixture of broad bean and wheat hay as 20.0 day. Mixture of broad bean hay & yeast proved to be the suitable diets resulting the highest number of deposited eggs at 30 oC recorded 159.9 eggs but the lowest number was noticed for L. destructor females at 20 oC when the individuals fed on mixture of broadbean and wheat hay (82.2 eggs) at 20 oC. The current study provided evidence of the nutritive attractiveness of broad bean hay mixed with dry yeast for L. destructor as a preferable feeding source for laboratory rearing of this astigmatid mite.The obtained results denoted that males took the shortest biological stages (incubation period, life cycle, longevity and life span) than female individuals at tested temperature degrees, where 20 oC was the suitable one and increased these periods.

The life and death of barn beetles: faunas from manure and stored hay inside farm buildings in northern Iceland

1. Subfossil beetle remains from archaeological sites have proven invaluable for examining past living conditions, human activities, and their impacts on landscapes and ecosystems.2. In Iceland, specific economic practices (e.g. land management and natural resource exploitation) and major historical events (i.e. colonisation, economic intensification and commercialisation, and urbanisation) have affected local environments and left recognisable traces in the beetle subfossil record.3. Understanding the ecology of synanthropic beetles is crucial if they are to be employed in high‐resolution reconstructions of past lifeways and their ecological impacts, yet, because buildings' interiors are rarely the object of systematic entomological research, the ecological requirements of many such species are poorly understood.4. A survey was conducted of live and dead beetle faunas from habitats that have so far been largely neglected by entomological research: stable manure and stored hay inside farm buildings, two key facets of a northern European pastoral economy.5. The present results clarify the ecological requirements of some under‐studied synanthropic beetles and the processes by which their exoskeletons may become incorporated into the archaeological record while also producing new records of exotic species recently introduced to Iceland.6. This paper provides crucial guidance for the interpretation of archaeological beetle assemblages and highlights the potential of further investigations of indoor insect faunas for clarifying the causes, processes, and ecological impacts of recent bio‐invasions.

Epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of cutaneous sporotrichosis, Northern Territory, Australia.

BackgroundAn outbreak of cutaneous sporotrichosis occurred in the Darwin region of the Northern Territory (NT) in 2014. We aimed to determine the source and risk factors associated with the outbreak and describe the clinical spectrum of cases seen.MethodsEpidemiological investigation of cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis identified through the Royal Darwin Hospital was undertaken to investigate risk factors and potential sources of infection. Data were collected through chart review and individual patient interviews. Environmental investigation followed identification of a common risk factor.ResultsNine confirmed cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii were identified with onset of symptoms between April and July 2014. Patients were aged 29 to 70 years and seven were male (78 %). Two strains of S. schenckii were identified, neither of which have been previously documented. One common risk factor was identified: all patients were occupational or recreational gardeners, with each reporting exposure to mulching hay, originating from a single NT farm. Local environmental health officers visited the farm and the owners confirmed that the implicated hay had been stored over the monsoon season and had been affected by rain. Storage of hay over the wet season was a new practice.ConclusionsThis constitutes the third reported outbreak of S. schenckii sporotrichosis attributable to contaminated hay in Australia and the first outbreak of sporotrichosis in the NT. This outbreak prompted public health interventions, including distribution of information to general practitioners, farmers and suppliers in the Top End. Media reporting led to the identification and treatment of an additional case. Local practitioners should remain alert to the possibility of further occurrences of sporotrichosis.

Risk factors of occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii among horses in the state of Alagoas, Brazil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii among horses and its associated risk factors in Alagoas, Brazil. In total, 440 samples from 36 properties in 23 districts of the state of Alagoas were studied, covering the Leste, Agreste and Sertão mesoregions. Risk factors were evaluated through the application of an investigative questionnaire that focused on the productive, reproductive and sanitary management of herds. T. gondii infection were assayed using the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with a cutoff point of 64; 14.4% (95% CI: 11.0%-17.8%) of - horses were seropositive. A significant association was determined between anti-T. gondii antibody presence and the consumption and storage of hay (OR = 2.08 / 95% CI: 1.20-3.62). This is the first report of T. gondii infection among horses in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

Fibrolytic enzymes and a ferulic acid esterase‐producing bacterial additive applied to alfalfa hay at baling: effects on fibre digestibility, chemical composition and conservation characteristics

AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of two fibrolytic enzyme products, applied at baling, on the chemical composition and digestibility of alfalfa hay. Three replicate bales of alfalfa hay (82% dry matter) were produced with the application of one of five treatments including an untreated control and one of two fibrolytic enzyme products (DYC and ECO), either applied alone or in combination with a ferulic acid esterase‐producing bacterial additive. The enzyme products were applied on the basis of endoglucanase activity. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) concentration and accumulated temperature after storage of hay produced using DYC‐ or ECO‐based treatments were greater (P &lt; 0·05) than untreated hay, except for hay bales produced using ECO alone. Bales produced using ECO‐based treatments had a greater (P &lt; 0·05) in vitro NDF digestibility compared with untreated bales. The application of fibrolytic enzymes at baling may potentially improve NDF digestibility without negatively affecting chemical composition or increasing aerobic deterioration. However, the effects of fibrolytic enzymes varied depending on the product applied. Combining ferulic acid esterase‐producing bacterial additives with fibrolytic enzymes did not improve the nutritive value of hay after storage.

Predicting Total Digestible Nutrient Losses From Heat Damaged Hays and Haylages with NIR

During the storage of hay or haylage, heating damage may occur and lead to losses of available protein and digestible nutrients. Recent research indicates that losses of total digestible nutrients (TDN) may be more significant economically than losses of available protein. Our objectives for this study were to establish a near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) model to estimate losses of TDN caused by heating damage during storage, to test the model on farmer samples obtained from commercial forage testing laboratories, and then to determine the frequency with which significant losses of TDN occurred within these producer samples. Hay/haylage samples from wrapped bales harvested with moisture ranges of 9.3 to 17.3%, 16.8 to 24.2%, and 26.7 to 46.6% for three different harvests in a previous study in which internal bale temperatures were measured daily were utilized to develop a NIRS calibration. The model external validation coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.88. The calibration was tested on three unknown sets of samples from commercial forage testing laboratories. The three sets contained spectra of 1000, 618, and 1994 forage samples submitted by producers. A very small number of samples in Sets 1, 2, and 3 exhibited H values > 3 (21, 11, and 66 samples, respectively), which indicates that the developed equation was appropriate for use on the commercial samples. The predicted TDN losses from producer samples due to heating exceeded 4 TDN units in 50% of the samples, and exceeded 8 TDN units in 16% of the samples. Heat damage is a significant economic loss to many farmers.

Incorporating farmer observations in efforts to manage bovine tuberculosis using barrier fencing at the wildlife–livestock interface

A federal and provincial cost-shared program was initiated in 2001 around Riding Mountain National Park in southwestern Manitoba, Canada to provide free game wire barrier fences for baled hay storage areas to prevent transmission of TB among cattle ( Bos taurus), wild elk ( Cervus elaphus), and deer ( Odocoileus virginianus). Farmer observations of cervids on their farms were evaluated by interviewing 50 farmers that owned a game wire fence for >1 year. Of those interviewed, 82% reported some type of elk or deer damage to hay bales in the field or in their yard prior to fencing. After fencing, 23% of respondents reported some annual damage to stored hay bales that were not inside the fence, but there was a 100% decrease in the estimated annual value of hay losses. Incursions of deer inside the barrier fence were reported by 18% of respondents and most of these were due to leaving gates open. No incursions of elk inside a barrier fence were reported. Despite the important successes achieved, barrier fencing of hay bales alone does not completely protect cattle from bovine tuberculosis.

PVC Curtains to Prevent Deer Access to Stored Feed: A Pilot Study

Bovine tuberculosis is endemic in white-tailed deer in Michigan’s Northeastern Lower Peninsula (NELP), and evidence suggests transmission to domestic cattle. One source of transmission is through feed shared between deer and cattle as a result of deer access to stored cattle feed. Fences (2-3 m in height) have been erected to surround stored feed on at least 50 cattle farms in the NELP in order to prevent deer access. However, gate closure by landowners remains a problem. We investigated the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) curtains installed at gate openings as a tool to deter deer from entering stored feed areas. Deer activity was monitored through the use of infrared digital cameras and by recording deer tracks inside and outside stored feed facilities. Two treatment and two control sites were established. On the first treatment site, deer tracks inside the fenced feed area decreased post-treatment from 9 to 0. Tracks within 5 m outside the fence decreased from 28 to 13. Photographs of deer entering or exiting the gate decreased from 23 to 0. Photographs of deer near stored hay decreased from 2 to 0. No deer activity was observed on either control site or the second treatment site during the study period. While sample sizes are too small for statistical analysis, we believe the use of PVC curtains to deter deer from stored feed areas has merit and deserves additional intensive research.

Ergot Alkaloid Concentrations in Tall Fescue Hay during Production and Storage

Common tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh. = Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] is infected with a fungus that produces ergot alkaloids, a class of compounds associated with fescue toxicosis. The objective of this research was to monitor the change in concentrations of ergot alkaloids from time of clipping through storage of tall fescue hay. A 2‐yr field study was conducted in Mt. Vernon, MO, in which tall fescue was baled at high moisture (204–219 g H2O kg−1 dry matter [DM]) and low moisture (102–112 g H2O kg−1 DM) then stored for 18 mo. Hay samples were collected over the 540‐d period from clipping through storage and analyzed for ergovaline and total ergot alkaloid concentration. Data were analyzed using standard ANOVA procedures and break‐point regression. In both years, ergovaline concentrations decreased sharply within the first month after harvest and gradually over the remaining 17 mo. In three of the four cases, most of the ergovaline disappearance occurred within 3 d after clipping. The final ergovaline concentration remained above 250 μg kg−1 DM, which is still considered toxic to livestock. In the first year, ergot alkaloid concentration followed a pattern similar to ergovaline concentration. In the second year, however, the decrease in total ergot alkaloid was gradual throughout the entire 18 mo. A general recommendation to producers would be to delay feeding toxic tall fescue hay until at least 1 mo after clipping.

Hay Mite Communities in Sheep Farms from French and Spanish Basque Regions with regard to Scrapie Infection

It has been suggested that the mites connected with the decay of stored hay may be involved in the transmission of scrapie, a neurological disorder in sheep. To find out whether there are any obvious differences in the mite fauna in hay that could be related to outbreaks of scrapie in sheep, we analysed the hay fauna from 23 farms in the Basque regions in France and Spain, areas with high and very low incidence of scrapie, respectively. We did find some differences in the composition of the fauna, and a species such as Pygmephorus spp. was more prevalent in scrapie-infected farms, and particularly in highly scrapie-infected farms. The former species is associated with late stages in the biological degradation of stored hay and could be linked to the disease. Besides being the first record of the composition of the hay mite fauna in Spain and France our finding of differences in mite communities in hay from scrapie versus non-scrapie farms is a further indication of the possible association of certain mite species with scrapie.

Impact of level of spontaneous heating during storage of bermudagrass hay on rumen in situ disappearance kinetics in steers

Spontaneous heating reduces forage quality and nutrient digestibility in stored alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) and cool-season grasses. However, research describing the impact of spontaneous heating on disappearance kinetics of warm-season grasses is limited. Five crossbred ruminally cannulated steers were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the impact of spontaneous heating during the curing process on in situ disappearance kinetics of bermudagrass hay. Bermudagrass hays were baled at various moisture levels and bale densities that resulted in spontaneous heating that produced 5, 119, 201, 273, or 401 heating-degree days (HDD; >35 °C) during a 60-day storage period. Hays were evaluated for rumen dry matter (DM), neutral-detergent fiber (NDF), N, and neutral-detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN) disappearance kinetics. The immediately soluble DM fraction and effective ruminal DM disappearance generally decreased ( P<0.05) as HDD increased. The fraction of DM that disappeared at a measurable rate was lower ( P<0.05) in 5 HDD hays and the disappearance rate of DM ( K d) was faster ( P<0.05) from 5 and 119 HDD hays compared with forages subjected to higher HDD. The K d for NDF was faster ( P<0.05) from 5 and 119 HDD than from 201 and 273 HDD hays and effective NDF disappearance was higher ( P<0.05) from 5 and 119 HDD than from higher HDD hays. The K d for N was faster ( P<0.05) from 5 HDD, and effective N disappearance was greater ( P<0.05) from 5 and 119 HDD than from 201 or higher HDD. The K d for NDIN was faster ( P<0.05) from 5 and 119 HDD and effective NDIN disappearance was higher ( P<0.05) from 5, 119, and 201 HDD than from higher HDD hays. Moderate levels of spontaneous heating have negative effects on rate and effective ruminal disappearance of both DM and N in bermudagrass hay, thereby reducing the digestibility of DM and protein from heated forages.

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Impact of heating-degree-day accumulation during bermudagrass hay storage on nutrient utilization by lambs.

Spontaneous heating in stored alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has reduced forage quality and DM and N digestibility through microbial respiration and Maillard polymer formation. The impact of heating-degree-day (HDD) accumulation in stored bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) was evaluated for its effect on nutrient utilization by lambs. Twenty Rambouillet wether lambs (53.1 +/- 0.74 kg) were used in a completely randomized total collection experiment. The hays selected for this study had previously undergone spontaneous heating, producing either 5, 119, 201, 273, or 401 HDD (> 35 degrees C) during a 60-d storage period. Lambs were offered diets of these hays at 1.5% of BW. Dry matter intake did not differ (P = 0.59) among hays. Linear relationships were detected between HDD and apparent digestibilities of DM (y = 59.1 - 0.016x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.37), OM (y = 59.3 - 0.017x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.43), NDF (y = 66.4 - 0.012x; P = 0.01; R2 = 0.30), and hemicellulose (y = 74.0 - 0.012x; P = 0.02; R2 = 0.27). Similarly, significant regressions were observed for fecal N excretion (g/d; y = 4.70 + 0.004x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.68), apparent N absorbed (g/d; y = 7.4 - 0.005x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.50), apparent N absorption (%; y = 61.2 - 0.038x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.71), apparent neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen digestibility (%; y = 85.8 - 0.026x; P = 0.01; R2 = 0.73), and apparent acid detergent insoluble nitrogen digestibility (%; y = 1.5 + 0.101x; P < 0.01; R2 = 0.62). Therefore, spontaneous heating during the storage of bermudagrass hay has a negative effect on dry matter and fiber digestion and nitrogen absorption by lambs.

Annual Ryegrass Stored as Balage, Haylage, or Hay for Lactating Dairy Cows

Frequent rainfall in south Louisiana often limits the successful harvest of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) as high quality hay. A 2-yr study was conducted to determine the effect of conserving ryegrass as balage on ensiling efficiency, storage losses, and feeding value. Ryegrass conservation treatments were balage (BLG), haylage (HLG, positive control), and hay (HAY, negative control). Ryegrass was cut at the boot stage and, following a 48-h wilt, was baled and wrapped with stretch film (BLG) or was chopped and stored in a bag silo (HLG), HAY (bloom stage) was harvested approximately 3 wk later when weather permitted and was stored indoors. At the conclusion of the 6-mo storage period, the nutritional value of stored forages was assessed with lactating Holstein cows (n = 21). Ryegrass pH values were lower, and lactate concentrations were slightly higher for HLG than BLG. Storage losses averaged 8.9% of dry matter (DM) for BLG compared with 3.7% for barn-stored HAY. Forage nutritive value was similar between ensiled forages; however, HAY was lower in protein and energy than other treatments. Cows fed HLG consumed 17.3% more forage DM and tended to produce more fat-corrected milk (FCM) than cows fed BLG. Feed efficiency (Ib FCM/Ib dry matter intake [DMI]) was higher for the BLG treatment than HAY. No treatment differences were observed for milk composition or cow weight/condition changes, Balage is an acceptable means of storing high quality ryegrass forage.

Effect of dry matter content at baling on change in forage constituents during the storage of alfalfa hay

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of DM content at baling on the pattern of forage constituent change and on DM and nutrient losses during storage. Alfalfa forage, baled at 64.1–66.2, 71.9–73.2 and 75.4–77.4% DM, was designated Low, Medium, and High DM treatments, respectively. Hay generated from each treatment was stored in a pole structure as two 74-bale stacks per treatment, using a bale wagon. Core samples were collected from bales on days 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 60 of storage. Bale temperature was monitored for eight bales per treatment daily for the first 35 d of storage and then on days 45, 50, and 60. Peak storage temperature reached was influenced (P &lt; 0.05) by forage DM at baling; the highest peak temperature being associated with Low DM hay. DM losses also were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in Low DM hay relative to either Medium or High DM hays, averaging 10.1, 4.5, and 3.0%, respectively. Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN), and glucosamine contents increased in all forage treatments during storage; the extent of increase was more (P &lt; 0.05) in Low DM hay than in High DM hay. Cellulose, lignin and crude protein (CP) concentrations followed a similar pattern during storage for hay baled and stored at the three DM contents. Soluble carbohydrate content loss was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in Low DM hay relative to High DM hay. Forage DM content at baling will influence stack temperatures and extent of nutrient change during storage. Most changes m constituents of low DM hay occurred within the first 14 d of storage, a period within which peak temperatures were recorded in all forages. The study also showed that alfalfa forage can be stored at a DM content of 76% with minimal nutrient change and loss, which is lower than normally recommended. Key words: Alfalfa hay, storage, nutrients, DM contents, temperature

Effects of a Bacterial Hay Preservative (Pediococcus pentosaceus) on Hay under Experimental Storage Conditions

The abundant growth of molds and thermophilic actinomycetes in stored hay decreases its quality and can be hazardous for the producer who inhales these contaminants when the moldy hay is fed in closed barns. These microbes are responsible for a respiratory disease called farmer's lung. Products, including bacterial cultures that can be inoculated in hay, are available to prevent hay deterioration by molds and bacteria. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of Pediococcus pentosaceus (a bacterial inoculant) in preventing hay deterioration at different humidity levels in a laboratory experiment. Mixtures of grasses (mostly alfalfa, timothy, and clover) placed in plastic bags were treated with the commercially available product (live culture of P. pentosaceus) at 500,000 and 5,000,000 CFU/g of hay and humidified at different levels (20, 25, 30, and 35%). Control batches of hay (untreated) were prepared at the same humidity levels. The growth of inoculated bacteria in hay, pH level, and hay deterioration were evaluated. Under these experimental conditions, the growth of P. pentosaceus was abundant only when it was inoculated in very moist hay (35% moisture), resulting in bacterium levels of 6.3 x 10(sup8) CFU/g after 30 days. This abundant growth did not prevent the pH from increasing (final pH of about 9.0), nor did it prevent molding. At lower humidity levels (20, 25, and 30%), the bacterial inoculant used did not grow and did not prevent hay deterioration.