Preservative Cuts Losses In Big Square Bales: Propionic acid is less effective in round bales, study shows

摘要

Dairy producers who apply propionic acid to not-dry-enough hay when making big square bales are probably saving valuable nutrients, a U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center study suggests.Alfalfa-orchardgrass hay treated with a commercial buffered propionic acid-based preservative and packaged in 3 x 3 x 6' bales at up to 27.4% moisture heated less than untreated hay during a 73-day storage period. At the end of the trial, treated hay washigher in quality, and a lamb feeding trial revealed that it was more digestible, says USDA-ARS agronomist and dairy scientist Wayne Coblentz, who headed the study.