Storage losses in net-wrapped, large, round bales of alfalfa hay

摘要

Net- and twine-wrapped alfalfa hay baleswere stored from July, 1990 to April, 1991 inthree Kansas counties (Reno, Saline, andStafford). Dry matter losses and changes inacid detergent fiber and acid detergent insolublenitrogen levels during storage were notsignificantly different between net- and twine-wrappedbales. Although a significant differencein dry matter recovery between inside andoutside bale storage occurred in Saline County,it was not considered important because allrecoveries were high. No significantdifferences in ADF or ADIN increases werefound between initial core samples and samplesfrom the outer 4 in. of the bales at the end ofstorage. The minimal deterioration andweathering were probably due to belowaverage rainfall (less than 14 in.) during the 9-mon. storage period. Net wrapping is probablynot justified on the basis of reducing storagelosses in low rainfall areas.