PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rick Jones, Engineered Storage Products Company, Inc., 815-756-1551, rljones@engstorage.com, or, Jon Anderson, OPEN ROADS, janderson@openroads-bgdn.com, 414-227-1000 ext. 4.
ALFALFA SHOWS LEAST NUTRIENT LOSS, HIGHEST FEED QUALITY FOLLOWING STORAGE IN HARVESTORES COMPARED TO BAGS AND BUNKERS
MADISON, Wisconsin World Dairy Expo (October 2, 2008) – Alfalfa stored in a Harvestore system recorded significantly less dry matter loss to spoilage and gaseous release in two years of combined field studies conducted by the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, according to Dr. Richard E. Muck, Agricultural Engineer at the Center. First-year study results were reported at World Dairy Expo in 2006.
Dr. Muck presented his findings at a breakfast sponsored by Engineered Storage Product Systems, manufacturer of Harvestore, during the World Dairy Expo held annually at the Alliant Energy Center.
U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center Study 2008
“Total dry matter losses due to spoilage plus gaseous release were only 4.3 percent for Harvestore compared to 11.3 percent for plastic silo bags and 16.9 percent for covered concrete bunkers in the two combined years,” Dr. Muck said. The study measured whether silo type affected speed of filling, dry matter losses and quality of silage when alfalfa was cut and stored at the research farm.
“The best silage fermentation, and thus the best silage quality from a nutrient retention standpoint, occurred in the Harvestore,” Dr. Muck added.
“Speed of filling for the Harvestore was similar to that of an 8-foot bag or a bunker when it’s packed to achieve high density.”
Changes in fiber, protein and ash in-and-out of the Harvestore and bag silos were similar, whereas silage quality out of the bunker was adversely affected by higher dry matter losses, Dr. Muck said.
In each year of the study, second alfalfa cuttings were stored in a 14 x 50 foot Harvestore at 50 percent moisture; in a 16 x 70 x 12 foot bunker at 60 percent moisture; and in an 8 x 170 foot bag at 60 percent moisture. In each field, one-half of the alfalfa cutting went to the bunker, and one-quarter each to the bag and Harvestore. Time spent filling the silos was documented.
“All loads were weighed and sampled and analyzed for moisture and quality characteristics,” Dr. Muck said. All silage, including spoiled, was removed from the silos, weighed and sampled. Losses were determined by mass balance.
“Although fill rate and minimizing dry matter loss are important, quality is still the component that has the greatest influence on herd nutrition and milk production,” Dr. Muck added. When lactic acid is the predominant acid produced, silage pH is lower and more nutrients are likely retained in the silage, he added. More lactate was produced in the Harvestore system.
“It is important that bacteria responsible for production of lactic and acetic acid grow and multiply immediately after storage for maximum quality haylage,” Dr. Muck said.
“The bacteria responsible for fermentation need anaerobic conditions. As bacteria consume sugars, the end products produced - lactic and acetic acid - cause the pH to drop, helping preserve the crop.”
The study results are particularly important to dairy producers in times of high input costs, says Dick Nelles, Ag Sales Manager at Engineered Storage Products Company. “More nutrient value out of the Harvestore translates straight into lower purchased feed costs, while improved haylage quality means more milk production and fat-corrected milk. Combined, these boost in dairy producers’ bottom line,” he adds.
For a full copy of the study, contact the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center at
608-890-0067 or email Richard.Muck@ars.usda.gov. Reference to any commercial product or service in reporting of USDA research findings is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by USDA is implied.
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Dr. Richard E. Muck
Research Agricultural Engineer
US Dairy Forage Research Center
USDA-Agricultural Research Service
BS, Agricultural Engineering, 1971, Cornell University
MSE, Environmental Engineering, 1973, Purdue University
PhD, Agricultural Waste Management; (Minors: Soil and
Water Engineering, Soil Science), 1978, Cornell University
Phone: (608) 890-0067
Fax: (608) 890-0076
E-Mail: Richard.Muck@ars.usda.gov
Current Research
• Improving nutrient digestibility to enhance forage utilization in lactating dairy cow feeding systems.
• Value-added products from forages and biomass energy crops.
• Integrated feedstock supply systems for corn stover biomass.
• Redesigning forage germplasm and production systems for efficiency, profit, and sustainability of dairy farms.
• Silage quality and losses as affected by silo type.
