A laboratory system for modeling hay storage

A simple system is described that uses a hinged metal baling unit and a hydraulic press to make 4.0 × 4.3 × 5.3 inch wire-tied, laboratory- scale, hay bales. A comparison of densities of conventional, small, alfalfa bales (15×18×37 inches) and laboratory bales was made over a wide range of moisture levels (15 to 36%) and conventional bale densities (10 to 25 lb/ft3). Laboratory bale densities were regressed against conventional bale densities and agreement was excellent. The system is inexpensive to build and easy to use and can be reproduced easily

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

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

Relating quality changes to storage time for baled alfalfa

The relationships between storage time and several chemical indices for forage quality were established for alfalfa hay baled at two moisture levels (29.9 and 19.7%) in conventional and laboratory bale s made at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 times the density o f parent, conventional bales. Bales were sampled after 0, 4, 11, 22, and 60 days. For the high-moisture bales, most quality indices indicated substantial nutrient loss early in the storage period, particularly between days 4 and 11, with little change after 22 days. A nonlinear mathematical model was constructed to describe how neutral detergent fiber and several other quality indices changed with storage time. Acid detergent fiber was related poorly to storage time. Little change occurred in the low (19.7%) moisture bales