HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lechtenberg, V. L. Articles by Petritz, D. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Lechtenberg, V. L. Articles by Petritz, D. C.

Storage and Feeding of Large Hay Packages for Beef Cows¹

Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907

Abstract

Grass hay was packaged in large round bales, compressed stacks and small round bales in order to determine the amount of weather deterioration when stored outside. Wastage during feeding was also determined when large bales and compressed stacks were fed on pasture and in racks.

Grass hay packaged in large round bales and compressed stacks and stored outside from June until November lost from 8.2 to 12.6% of its total digestible dry matter due to weathering. Small round bales stored outside lost 16.9% of their digestible dry matter due to weather deterioration. Weather damage was confined to the outside 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) of the large packages.

When the large packages were fed to beef cows without a rack, or some other means of keeping the cows from trampling on the hay, dry matter needed per cow-day averaged from 23 to 39% greater than when the hay was fed in a rack.

¹ Journal Paper No. 5403. Contributed by Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, Departments of Agronomy, Animal Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, and Agricultural Economics.

² Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Professor of Animal Sciences, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Engineering and Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics, respectively; Purdue University.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. D. Buskirk, A. J. Zanella, T. M. Harrigan, J. L. Van Lente, L. M. Gnagey, and M. J. Kaercher Large round bale feeder design affects hay utilization and beef cow behavior J Anim Sci, January 1, 2003; 81(1): 109 - 115. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]