Bale Types Research Articles

Possıbılıtıes of Evaluatıon of Sılage ın Karacabey Dıstrıct, Bursa City

In this study, it was aimed to provide information about silage types, silage use the way silage is given to animals, and solutions ways by editing a survey in Karacabey district of Bursa city. In the study, a questionnaire was applied to a total of 60 dairy cow breeders, including large, medium, and small-sized enterprises. 82 % of the animal enterprises participating in the survey stated that they use bulk type silos, 10 % bank-type silo, and the remaining 8 % bale type silo. 70 % of the breeders stated that they did not use additives in silage production, and the rest said that %10 used bacterial inoculants+ enzymes and % 5 enzyme or yeast culture. When the breeders were asked about the way the silage was given to dairy cows, 73.0 % reported that they gave silage mixed with roughage and dense forage, 25.0 % mixed silage with dry roughage and 2.0 % reported that they gave silage alone. As a result, it is seen that most of the breeders are dependent on maize for silage production and prefer the bulk-type silo. On the other hand, it has been determined that basic information about silage production and animal nutrition of small-scale livestock enterprises is insufficient. In this context, it can be suggested to small-scale enterprises organize agricultural training activities that will increase their experience and knowledge about silage making and animal feeding, to turn to other forage crops (food pulp residues and heat-resistant fodder crops) as a source of silage, and to buy daily silage by building large-scale silos through cooperatives. Importance and Effect of the Study; It is thought that this survey study will make positive contributions to understanding the level of silage production in livestock enterprises in Karacabey district and to finding solutions to the problems that may arise in our country.

LOW-QUALITY FLAX STRAW BIOMASS HARVESTING FOR SUBSEQUENT USE AS FUEL: A REVIEW

Unfavorable conditions for flax growing, harvesting and dew-retting are the reason for the low-quality flax biomass production. This biomass cannot be processed for fiber or other purposes. Therefore, flax straws are burned in the fields or are used as fertilizer by plowing into the soil, which are not good solutions for the environment and subsequent cultivation operations. The limit values of quality properties of fibre flax stem, flax straw and retted straw for their processing are summarized, which can be used to determine the suitability of flax straw biomass for processing or burning. Low-quality flax biomass is inexpensive, ecofriendly and renewable, it can be used as solid fuel for heating greenhouses or buildings located near the field where the flax is grown. Various techniques of fibre flax and oilseed flax harvesting are presented in the article. The technique of low-quality flax harvesting is recommended, which include flax pulling out or flax cutting, flax threshing, flax straw windrow forming, flax straw natural drying on the field in natural way, flax bale forming, flax bale transporting, flax bale burning. This harvesting technology can be used for low-quality fibre flax and oilseed flax. Flax straw biomass can be baled into three bale types: small rectangular bales, big round bales, and big square bales The main requirements for fuel flax biomass bales are recommended. The boiler for burning flax straw bales must be chosen taking into account the shape and size of the bales. For the efficient operation of boilers, it is necessary to take into account the recommended values ​​of bale bulk density and moisture content of flax biomass.

Water leaching of herbaceous biomass bales to reduce sintering and corrosion

Two different leaching treatments (immersion and irrigation) were applied to the biomass bales of two different herbaceous solid biofuels (barley straw and tall wheatgrass) in order to improve their sintering and corrosion behaviour during combustion. Six immersion treatments (1 h with and without stirring, and 5 h, 1 day and 2 days without stirring) and two irrigation treatments with tap water (900 L and 1800 L) were tested. The bales made of barley straw were of high-density 140 kg/m3) whereas the density of tall wheatgrass bales was lower (80 kg/m3). After the leaching treatment, bales were dried naturally indoors. Sintering and corrosion tests along with chemical elemental analyses, X-ray diffraction and SEM analyses were performed on the lixiviated biomass.An immersion treatment of 5 h reduced the sintering and corrosion potential of both types of bales to an acceptable level. In high-density bales, the irrigation treatment (1800 L) provided similar sintering and corrosion reductions than those obtained when the 5 h immersion treatment was applied. However, in low-density bales, the immersion treatments provided much better results than irrigation leaching systems, probably in connection with their different degrees of compaction. The naturally drying process of the lixiviated bales can be considerably long, particularly after immersing high-density bales. The drying period to reach a moisture level of 20% w.b, was longer than 100 days for high-density bales and shorter than 20 days for low-density bales.

Techno‐economic assessment of biomass bales storage systems for a large‐scale biorefinery

AbstractStorage of agricultural residues and energy crops is essential for preserving and maintaining its economic value, and year‐round continuous delivery to a biorefinery. In this study, a dynamic cost model was developed for three storage methods (Indoor, Outdoor‐tarped, and Outdoor‐open) with two biomass bale types (rectangular and round) to estimate the storage cost of corn stover and switchgrass. The effects of storage time and multiple‐use of a storage facility on the storage cost were also evaluated to develop effective storage strategies. The cost of bale storage systems comprised of capital expenses for infrastructures, bale handling, dry matter loss (DML) and quality loss costs. Among storage methods, the outdoor‐tarped storage with rectangular bales was the least expensive options for corn stover ($14.6 dry Mg−1) and switchgrass ($16 dry Mg−1). Indoor storage of round bales was costly due to the large storage footprint requirement and high infrastructure investment. However, the indoor storage cost could be reduced, if the storage facility could be used more than once a year. The sensitivity analysis study illustrated that the DML, biomass cost, loading/unloading time and bale density were the most sensitive parameters influencing the storage cost. An example storage strategy developed for a typical biorefinery could reduce the average annual storage cost (up to $10 dry Mg−1) along with an annual cost saving ranging from 10 to 100% compared with any single storage option. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Field test and cost analysis of four harvesting options for herbaceous biomass handling

Abstract : The nature of most biomass materials is a low bulk density as compared to traditional fuel sources. ?High handling cost could be a limiting factor in utilizing biomass feedstock. ?Understanding available harvesting machinery systems and associated costs is critical to future implementation.? Four popular harvesting machinery systems were studied and costs were analyzed based on field measurements and calculations. ?These four systems included (1) round baling and round bale handling systems, (2) large square baling and square bale handling systems, (3) forage harvester and trucking systems, and (4) large square baling plus square bale compression systems. ?Results indicated that a self-loading forage wagon can reduce the cost to harvest a crop but requires more harvest time.? Large square bales were found to reduce cost of handling and transport as compared to round bales.? Further research is needed to determine storage costs and deterioration loss of the two bale types.? Compressed square bales were found to reduce storage, handling and transport costs.? Compressed bale machinery has a high initial cost, which currently makes only valuable for hay export. Keywords: harvesting machinery system, herbaceous biomass, field, cost DOI: 10.3965/j.issn.1934-6344.2011.03.058-068 ? Citation: Douglas Brownell, Jude Liu. ?Field test and cost analysis of four harvesting options for herbaceous biomass handling. ?Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2011; 4(3): 58

DEVELOPMENT OF A FODDER BALES CHOPPER

The aim of the present study is to develop, construction and to evaluate the performance a fodder-bales chopper. The developed fodder-bales chopper consists of frame, chopper drum (cutting knives - hammers mills - cutting knives and hammers mills), feeding platform and feeding housing. Theoretical analysis was conducted to estimate the chopper shaft diameters so as to save it from over loads and high stresses. The studied performance factors are chopping-knives drum speeds 560, 750, 850 and 1040 rpm, number of knives is 84 for cutting knives and 77 for hammers and bale types (wheat and rice). The performance of the developed fodder bales chopper was evaluated in terms of average and percentage of cutting length, chopping efficiency, required power, energy requirements and operational cost. The main results can be summarized in the following points. The maximum machine productivity values were (785.5 and 830.7 kg/h), the maximum required power values were (20.86 and 22.64 kW), the maximum chopping efficiency values were (96.8 and 97.4%), the minimum average length of cut values were (2.6 and 1.54 cm). Mminimum operating cost values were 19.1 and 21.5 L.E/ton at wheat straw bale and rice straw bale, respectively by using combined knives with hammers at drum speed of 1040rpm.

Assessing the efficiency of switchgrass different cultural practices for pellet production

Switchgrass is a perennial crop producing high amounts of biomass for good quality pellet production. The objective of this study is to examine the efficiency of different cultural practices of switchgrass for pellet production under field conditions for four different N-fertilization (0, 80, 160 and 240kgha−1) and two different irrigation levels (0 and 250mm), in two soils in central Greece with rather different moisture status over the period 2009–2012. Moreover, comparison between three harvest methods (two different types of bales and silage) was made. The results derived from this study revealed that the bale at 22kg is the harvesting practice with the highest costs while there was reduction of efficiency scores when nitrogen levels increased. At both environments the efficiency scores followed the same trend, confirming that low levels of nitrogen fertilization enhance the economic competitiveness of switchgrass production. Palamas site is the area where switchgrass for pellet production had positive income ranging from 400 to 1600€ha−1, while Velestino site had always negative. Therefore, places like Velestino with non-aquic soil should be avoided for switchgrass. These data suggest that growing switchgrass for solid biofuel production as energy crop is a worthwhile decision only in areas with a moderately shallow groundwater table (aquic soil) or maybe in high precipitation regions.

초본계 농업부산물 바이오매스의 저장방법 및 저장시기에 따른 이화학적 특성

농업유래의 바이오매스 중 볏짚의 저장형태와 저장기간에 따른 수분함량 변화와 바이오매스의 화학적 성분 변화를 분석함으로써 바이오에탄올 생산을 위한 원료의 최적 저장방법을 제시하고자 하였다. 주요 결과는 아래와 같다. 1. 볏짚의 수분함량 변이를 측정한 결과 실내에서 보관한 사각곤포 및 원형곤포는 약 20~25%의 수분함량을 유지하였으며 실외에서 보관한 비가림 시설을 도입한 사각곤포의 경우 20%이하의 낮은 수분함량을 확인하였다. 2. 볏짚의 화학적 성분의 변이를 분석한 결과 실외보관곤포는 cellulose 및 hemicellulose의 함량이 큰 폭으로 감소하였으나, 실내에서 보관한 곤포들은 비닐원형곤포를 제외한 나머지 집속형태에서는 오히려 성분의 함량의 증가를 확인하였다. 3. 볏짚을 장기간 보관할 때에는 외부환경을 차단할 수 있는 실내에서 보관하거나 부득이하게 실외에서 보관할 때 최소 비가림 시설을 도입하여 수분함량 및 화학적 성분의 감소를 최소화해야 바이오에탄올 생산을 위한 고품질의 원료로써 이용될 수 있을 것이다. One of the abundant biomass for bioenergy production is thought to be agricultural by-products produced annually. The purpose of this study were to provide basic information about the changes of the moisture contents and chemical compositions for storage periods and bale types of rice straw, and it was attempted for the first time. The bale types of rice straw which were harvest in October 2011, were the square bale, the round bale, and the wrapped round bale type with plastic, respectively. Each of bale were stored in house, outdoor, and rain sheltering facilities condition for 1 year. The moisture contents and chemical compositions for each bale type are investigated for the 3-storage stages (0, 6, 12 month). While the moisture contents of the square and round bales stored in house condition were ranged from 20~25%, the square bale stored under the rain shelter facilities was showed the lowest moisture content less than 20% during the storage periods. For the chemical compositions, the cellulose and hemicellulose contents of rice straw bale stored in outdoor condition were decreased with the storage periods. However, in house condition, the chemical compositions of the square and round bales were slightly increased at the middle and the end of storage stages (6 and 12 months) compared with the initial storage stage (0 month). In conclusion, while optimum and favorable storage conditions of agricultural by-products is a house storage of the bale with plastic, if the bale can stored at outdoor, water penetration prevention such as the rain shelter facilities is required.

Digestibility by lambs and nutritive value for lactating ewes of a total mixed ration containing Cephalaria joppensis silage as wheat silage substitute

This study examined digestibility for lambs and nutritive value for lactating ewes of a total mixed ration (TMR) containing Cephalaria joppensis (CJ) silage as a wheat silage substitute. Yield of CJ forage was 16.4t dry matter (DM) per ha, which is 37% higher than that of the neighboring wheat. The fresh-cut wheat and CJ were packed separately and wrapped in polyethylene layers to produce bales of silage kept outdoors for 90 days. The CJ and wheat silage bales were opened, combined with alfalfa hay (at a 2:1 ratio, DM basis) and mixed with additional TMR components, repacked and rewrapped to produce TMR bales kept outdoors for 30 days. The packing and wrapping created anaerobic conditions and ensilage occurred within the TMR bales, resulting in a significant reduction in pH of the wheat-TMR (W-TMR) and CJ-TMR from 6.02 and 6.07, respectively, to 4.1 and 4.4, respectively. DM loss in the two types of TMR bales during ensilage was similar. Experiment 1 measured the intake and digestibility of the ensiled W-TMR vs. CJ-TMR by two groups of six Assaf lambs each, fed individually in metabolic cages. Intake and digestibility of DM, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were similar for the two TMRs tested. However, cellulose digestibility was slightly higher in the W-TMR. Experiment 2 measured milk production and composition in two groups of 45 lactating Assaf ewes each, fed the two ensiled TMRs plus a constant amount of mixed concentrate pellets. The ewes fed the CJ-TMR were characterized by similar yields of daily milk (2.26–2.36kg), protein (0.11kg), fat (0.15kg) and 6% fat-corrected milk (3.06–3.08kg), but slightly higher concentrations of protein, fat and total milk solids compared with sheep fed the W-TMR. Changes in body weight and body condition score were similar in the two groups of ewes. Data show that CJ silage can be included in a TMR for lactating sheep as high-quality forage, with a nutritive value similar to that of wheat silage.

Novel use of the wild species Cephalaria joppensis for silage preparation and its nutritive value for feeding lactating dairy cows

This study presents a novel method for use of the wild plant species Cephalaria joppensis (CJ) as agricultural forage for ruminants. Domesticated CJ tends to have higher crop mass yield per hectare than a commercial wheat variety (W) but is similar in in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility. This study was composed of 3 experiments. Experiment 1 aimed to measure effects of ensiling CJ versus W in packed polyethylene-wrapped bales. Three types of ensiled bales were produced for each plant: 1) direct-cut CJ versus W packed solely; 2) direct-cut CJ versus W mixed as sole roughage source together with dietary ingredient and packed in bales to create CJ total mixed ration (CJ-TMR) or W-TMR; 3) CJ silage versus W silage mixed as one-third of dietary roughage source together with two-thirds sorghum (S) silage and additional dietary ingredients and packed in bales to create CJ-S-TMR or W-S-TMR. Data showed that packing and wrapping created anaerobic conditions within the 4 types of TMR bales while reducing pH (4.12 to 4.37). Dry matter loss during ensilage was higher for the 2 types of TMR containing W compared with CJ. Ensilage decreased soluble nitrate content as well as yeast and mold contamination, and the 4 types of TMR bales were characterized by a long outdoor shelf life (3 mo) and high stability under aerobic exposure. Experiment 2 aimed to measure the intake and digestibility by sheep of the 4 types of packed TMR after 90 d of ensiling. Data demonstrated higher voluntary intake of the CJ-TMR compared with the other TMR types. The CJ-TMR was characterized by higher digestibility of DM, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber components compared with the CJ-S-TMR. Experiment 3 examined intake, digestibility, and milk production by 21 pairs of lactating cows individually fed CJ-S-TMR versus W-S-TMR. Similar intake (21.6 to 22.0kg/d) and digestibility of DM and crude protein were observed in cows fed the 2 TMR types (68 to 69% and 66 to 68%, respectively). However, neutral detergent fiber and cellulose digestibility were slightly higher in the cows fed W-S-TMR and this was reflected in a small increase in their milk and energy-corrected milk yield (36.5 and 31.4kg/cow per day, respectively) compared with cows fed CJ-S-TMR (35.5 and 30.4kg/cow per day, respectively). Results demonstrate that direct-cut CJ used as is, or CJ silage can be included and ensiled in TMR bales for feeding productive ruminants as a substitute for wheat silage.

Cornstalk round bale processing method does not influence feeding characteristics or feed refusals

Introduction Nutritionists and producers often assume that ingredients in a total mixed ration are uniformly mixed. However, many factors can affect ration homogeneity, including particle size, particle shape, differences in density of feed ingredients, and relative point at which the mixture is discharged from a mixer batch. Forages often are ground prior to mixing in a total mixed ration to reduce variation in forage particle length. Preprocessing forages during baling may facilitate particle length reduction, eliminating the need to grind forages prior to mixing. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of forage processing on (1) uniformity of the ration discharged from the mixer at different points, (2) particle length throughout the mixing process by bale type, and (3) difference in feed refusals of mixed rations based on forages processed by different methods.

The discrepancy between plot and field yields: Harvest and storage losses of switchgrass

Three separate experiments were planned with the aim of assessing storage losses and discrepancies in biomass yield between plot and field, the latter being poorly studied in spite of the relevant management scale. The results show that storability of switchgrass is remarkable, irrespective of harvest time (summer or post-frost harvest) and bale type (rectangular, soft- or hard-core round bales). Bale weight significantly decreased over time, yet it was almost entirely attributed to a decline in moisture content. Microbial processes appeared trivial and this was corroborated by temperature inset and pH trends. In contrast, significant biomass losses were ascertained during the harvest, which accounted from 35% to 45% of potential harvestable biomass. Biomass not picked-up by the baler machine was up to 17%, while the uncut biomass due to the mower swinging averaged 29%, and it was also significantly affected by the field slope. Because of the lower ash content of basal stems, the uncut biomass penalized biofuel quality and quantity, at the same time. Potential harvestable biomass was similar to that achieved with hand-harvested plots thus revealing that the two considered sources of biomass loss (not recovered and uncut biomass) are mostly responsible of the discrepancy between plot and field yields.

Ensilage of wilted whole crop rice (Oryza sativa L.) using a roll baler for chopped material: Silage quality in long‐term storage

AbstractWe examined the effects of long‐term storage on the fermentation quality, chemical composition, and digestibility of wilted whole crop rice silage prepared using a roll baler for chopped material (set chop length, 13 mm) and compared the results with those obtained by using a conventional roll baler. The roll balers were used for ensiling whole crop rice of three types: (i) dough‐ripe stage with light wilting (45% dry matter); (ii) dough‐ripe stage with heavy wilting (65% dry matter); and (iii) yellow‐ripe stage with light wilting (45% dry matter). The apparent dry matter density was higher in the ensiled roll bales composed of chopped whole crop rice (chopped bales) than in those composed of non‐chopped whole crop rice (conventional bales) (195–250 kg m−3 vs 156–218 kg m−3, respectively). The formation of volatile fatty acids and ammonia‐nitrogen was low in all types of silage. Further, no marked differences in the chemical composition and apparent dry matter digestibility were observed between silage from the two types of bales. However, there were significant differences in their lactic acid and ethanol contents. The lactic acid production in the conventional silage was low (0.08–0.14% fresh matter), whereas that in the chopped silage was high (0.71–0.97% fresh matter). A lower pH value (pH 4.0–4.3) was retained in the chopped silage after 10 months of storage. High ethanol production (1.1–2.5% fresh matter) was observed in the conventional silage, whereas ethanol production decreased to less than 1% in the chopped silage. These results indicate that although the ethanol fermentation is readily enhanced in the ensilage of wilted whole crop rice performed by a conventional baler, the ensilage performed by a baler for chopped material encourages lactic acid fermentation and suppresses ethanol production over a wide moisture range throughout the long‐term storage.

Emissions from baled municipal solid waste: I. Methodological approach for investigation of gaseous emissions

This paper presents a methodological approach for the study of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air, emitted during storage of municipal solid waste in bales. Determination of VOCs was based on sampling with adsorbent tubes followed by automated analysis using on-line work-up with a thermal desorption unit directly connected to a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. Using calculation algorithms and multidimensional statistical analysis of large amounts of data collected, the information was compressed and visualized. The approach was applied to initial measurements of emissions of VOCs from 24 bales composed of municipal solid waste, each bale stored in a wooden box. These bales were produced using the two types of baling equipment available, resulting in cylindrical or rectangular bales, with different densities. Hundreds of different VOCs emitted from these bales sorted out into groups with different chemical structure. Differences in VOC concentrations in air were found between wastes stored in cylindrical or rectangular bales. For instance, it was found that the concentration of VOCs (relative to the concentration of toluene), in the first experiment after storing, for cylindrical bales with six layers of LDPE was 115 +/- 10 microg m(-3), while for rectangular bales it was only 64 +/- 8 microg m(-3). The procedure used for data interpretation suggested different degradation mechanisms in different types of bales. The use of multiple data interfaces, multidimensional statistics and automated chemical analysis methods are likely to be more and more common for waste companies and waste research in the near future. This is due to the interdisciplinary nature of the subject that relies heavily on various areas of science and information technology.

Tocopherol and carotenoid levels in baled silage and haylage in relation to horse requirements

The content of α-tocopherol and β-carotene in a grass crop consisting of timothy ( Phleum pratense ), meadow fescue ( Festuca pratensis ) and couch grass ( Agropyron repens ) was analyzed before and after conservation as silage and haylage during 11 months in either small square (bale size 80 cm × 48 cm × 36 cm) or round bales (diameter 57 cm, height 68 cm). The purpose of the experiment was to study the effect of degree of fermentation on α-tocopherol and β-carotene content by varying dry matter (DM) levels via different wilting times. Silage wilted for 4 h to 300 g DM/kg (SIL), haylage wilted for 24 h to 500 g DM/kg (HL1) and haylage wilted for 34 h to 600 g DM/kg (HL2), all harvested as long stemmed forage, were made from the same field. Tocopherols and carotenoids were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Generally HL1 contained less α-tocopherol and β-carotene than SIL or HL2. There were no general effect of bale type on α-tocopherol and β-carotene content. SIL square bales and HL2 round and square bales contained 0.60 of initial α-tocopherol content and 0.86 of initial β-carotene content after ensiling, which were higher than SIL round bales and HL1 round and square bales containing 0.39 of initial α-tocopherol content and 0.33 of initial β-carotene content. Thus, there was no clear relation between degree of fermentation and content of α-tocopherol or β-carotene. The strongest correlation was found between lactic acid and β-carotene (0.44) and lactic acid and α-tocopherol (0.41), indicating that a good conservation process (lactic acid fermentation) may favour the preservation of α-tocopherol and β-carotene in conserved forage.

Degradation by Ficin of Protein from Alfalfa Hay Conserved as Conventional and Laboratory‐Scale Bales

AbstractFicin was utilized in a 2‐h in vitro incubation procedure to characterize the partitioning of N into fractions based on resistance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) proteins to enzymatic degradation. Objectives included evaluation of the following treatment effects on N partitioning: (i) moisture content; (ii) laboratory bale density; (iii) laboratory baling without heating during storage; (iv) spontaneous heating in laboratory bales; and (v) conventional baling. Alfalfa at three moisture levels (268, 229, and 185 g kg−1) was conserved in the following bale types: (i) conventional bales; (ii) laboratory bales made at 1.0, 1.3, 1.7, and 2.0 times the density of conventional bales and incubated in two environments (straw stacks or insulated boxes); or (iii) a prestorage control. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) moisture ✕ bale type interactions were observed for most N fractions, indicating N partitioning among bale types was greatly changed in high‐moisture hay, but remained relatively stable in dry hay. Except for the Pool‐C N fraction, which includes Maillard reaction products, laboratory‐bale density generally had little effect on N partitioning. At the medium and low moisture levels, prestorage controls had more Pool‐A N (greater buffer solubility) than did nonheated laboratory bales. Heating in laboratory bales facilitated additional significant change in N fractions, relative to nonheated laboratory bales. While Maillard reaction products increased in response to laboratory bale density, large increases in the portion of potentially available N most resistant to enzymatic degradation (B2 subfraction), appeared dependent on large heat increments incurred specifically in conventional bales.

Performance Comparisons of Conventional and Laboratory‐Scale Alfalfa Hay Bales in Small Haystacks

AbstractField trials designed to study the storage of moist hay have often been plagued by uncontrollable factors such as weather. A system for making laboratory‐scale (10.3 by 10.8 by 13.4 cm) hay bales was evaluated in two trials. In the first experiment, three conventional small square bales of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were prepared in the field at each of seven different combinations of moisture and density. One bale was randomly selected to be used as the forage source for laboratory‐scale bales of the same density. Laboratory bales were incubated between the two remaining conventional bales. Bale types were compared for maximum temperature, 30‐d average temperature, degree days > 30 °C, visual mold, dry matter (DM) recovery, total nitrogen (N), acid‐detergent fiber (ADF), neutral‐detergent fiber (NDF), and acid‐detergent‐insoluble nitrogen (ADIN). Laboratory bales generally remained different (P < 0.05) from parent conventional bales for most temperature‐related traits. Agreement between bale types was better for most quality analyses. In an effort to improve relative performance between bale types, a second experiment was conducted, in which the laboratory bales were prepared at 1.0, 1.3, 1.6, and 2.0 times the density of the conventional bales. Results showed improved agreement between laboratory bales of elevated densities and conventional bales for most temperature traits. Acid‐detergent‐insoluble N levels for laboratory bales were greatly affected by bale density. High‐density laboratory bales had significantly greater ADIN fractions than conventional bales, particularly in the high moisture treatment. These results implicate bale density as an important factor in damage to alfalfa proteins by the Maillard reaction.

Comparison of conventional and laboratory-scale alfalfa hay bales in small haystacks (1993)

A system for making laboratory-scale alfalfa hay bales was evaluated in two trials. In the first, conventional rectangular and laboratory-scale bales were made at each of seven different combinations of moisture and density. Laboratory bales were incubated between two parent conventional bales of identical moisture content and bale density. Laboratory bales remained different (P<.05) from parent conventional bales for most temperature-related storage traits. Agreement between bale types was better for most quality traits. To achieve closer agreement between bale types, a second experiment was conducted in which the laboratory bales were made at 1.0, 1.3, 1.6, and 2.0 times the density of the conventional bales. Agreement improved between laboratory bales of higher densities and conventional bales for most temperature traits. High-density laboratory bales had significantly greater acid detergent insoluble nitrogen values than conventional bales, particularly at the highest moisture level. These results implicate bale density as an important factor in heat damage to proteins in alfalfa hay.

Round Bale Wheat Hay Storage Losses

Storage losses in large round bales of wheat hay were evaluated for two stages of forage maturity, two bale types, six storage methods, and two bale orientations. Wheat hay baled in the boot stage of maturity had greater storage losses than bales in the mid-head stage. Fixed-chamber bales in the boot stage had lower dry matter losses than variable-chamber bales. Fixed-chamber bales stored on the ground without covers had a 11.9% dry matter loss while variable-chamber bales had 19.2% loss. Storing fixed-chamber bales on pallets reduced dry matter loss to 7.2%. Bale orientation did not affect dry matter losses, but did affect changes in quality.

Round Bale Bermudagrass Hay Storage Losses

Quantitative and qualitative changes in large round bales of bermudagrass hay were evaluated for six storage conditions, two bale orientations and two bale types fixed-chamber and variable-chamber. After eight months in storage, fixed-chamber bales stored on the ground without covers had 14.1% dry matter loss while exposed variable-chamber bales had 7.0%. Fixed-chamber bales stored on pallets under covers had a 2.6% loss in dry matter. Losses in dry matter and forage quality for fixed-chamber bales were greater than for variable-chamber bales. Bale orientation had little affect on qualitative changes.