Cattle preference for hay from round bales with different wrap types

Shinners, K. J.; Boettcher, G. C.; Schaefer, D.M.; Troutman, Allison M.

doi:10.15232/s1080-7446(15)30298-9

Cited by 3 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Round bales wrapped in net wrap had a greater moisture content compared with those wrapped in B-Wrap; moisture content of bales tied in twine was not different from the other wrap types. Shinners et al (2013) and Reiter et al (2019) found that moisture concentrations of hay wrapped in B-Wrap were up to 66% less compared with net wrap and twine-tied bales stored outside. However, other researchers observed no differences in moisture content between twine and net wrapped bales ( Taylor et al, 1995 ) after outdoor storage.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, differences in bale weight at the time of feeding were due to DM losses observed during the outdoor storage period. Many researchers have determined that twine-tied bales experience greater DM losses compared with net wrapped bales due to greater external moisture penetration ( Russell et al, 1990 ; Shinners et al, 2009 ), while others have suggested B-Wrap is better able to repel moisture and conserve DM during outdoor storage ( Shinners et al, 2013 ; Reiter et al, 2019 ). Specifically, Reiter et al (2019) found that after 365 d in outdoor storage, DM losses were 7% for twine bales, 5% for net wrap bales, while B-Wrap bales maintained DM.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dry matter (DM) losses when round bales were stored outdoors without cover ranged from 7% to 49%, compared to only 2% to 6% when stored indoors ( Harrigan and Rotz, 1994 ; Shinners et al, 2009 ). This deterioration is mostly confined to the outer layer, which is most exposed to weather ( Belyea et al, 1985 ; Collins et al, 1987 ; Russell et al, 1990 ; Shinners et al, 2009 , 2013 ) and subject to microbial activity ( Harrigan and Rotz, 1994 ). Specifically, moisture from rainfall and snow can result in the loss of soluble nutrients, and an increase in concentration of insoluble plant fibers, mold growth, and repugnant odors ( Collins et al, 1987 ; Russell et al, 1990 ; Scudamore and Livesey, 1998 ; Shinners et al, 2009 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, Russell et al (1990) observed a 16% to 25% DMI increase by sheep ( Ovis aries L.) fed outdoor stored round bales wrapped in net wrap compared to those fed round bales tied with twine. More recently, Shinners et al (2013) evaluated cattle preference for shredded round bales that had been wrapped with a breathable film or net wrap. They found that shredded hay from round bales wrapped with the breathable film were equally preferred to hay from bales stored indoors, and both hays were preferred over net wrapped hay from bales stored outdoors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While research by Shinners et al (2013) provides some evidence of the impact of wrap type on livestock preference, bales are not usually shredded before feeding on many beef farms. Therefore, it is important to investigate the preference of feeding whole round bales, a practice routinely used on farms, bound in different wrap types after outdoor storage in order to maximize DMI and minimize hay waste.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Forage quality and beef cow preference is affected by wrap type of conventional and reduced-lignin alfalfa round bales stored outdoors

Reiter

DiCostanzo

Webb

et al. 2020

Translational Animal Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Storing hay outdoors can result in detrimental changes in forage quality. Additionally, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivar may influence dry matter intake (DMI) and hay waste when feeding livestock. The objectives were to determine the effects of conventional or reduced-lignin alfalfa round bales stored outdoors and wrapped with plastic twine, net wrap, or B-Wrap® on forage quality, beef cow preference, and hay waste. Round bales made from reduced-lignin (n=12) or conventional (n=12) alfalfa cultivars were baled and stored outdoors for 16 months. Within each cultivar, four bale replicates were bound with plastic twine, net wrap, or B-Wrap®. After storage, bales were fed in a switchback design with period confounded with alfalfa cultivar to 18 lactating Angus cows (Bos Taurus L.). The pairs had ad libitum access to three round-bale feeders where bales of each wrap-type were placed for eight 48 h periods. Position of round bale wrap type was rotated according to a Latin Square arrangement. Bales were weighed and waste surrounding each feeder was collected at 24 and 48 h to calculate DMI and hay waste. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Alfalfa cultivar did not impact any of the response variables (P > 0.05). At feeding, round bales wrapped in net wrap had greater (P & 0.015) moisture content (16.4%) compared with those wrapped with B-Wrap® (12.8%). Neutral detergent fiber was lower (P = 0.03) in bales wrapped in B-Wrap® (46%) compared with twine-tied bales (49%) while net wrapped bales were not different. Total digestible nutrients (P = 0.02), and relative feed value (P = 0.04) were lower in twine-tied bales compared with B-Wrap® while net wrapped bales were not different. Twine (7.1 x 10 6 CFU/g) and net wrap (4.7 x 10 6 CFU/g) bales had greater (P & 0.0001) mold counts than B-Wrap® bales (4.8 x 10 4 CFU/g), while concentrations of other forage components and yeast counts were not different among wrap types (P > 0.05). Total DMI, and DMI during the first 24 h, were greater (P ≤ 0.032) for B-Wrap® bales compared to twine-tied bales indicating preference for hay wrapped in B-Wrap®; net wrapped bales were not different. Dry matter intake in the first 24 h was negatively associated with the mold count (r = -0.52; P = 0.02), and hay waste was not affected by wrap type (P > 0.05). These results confirm that wrap type affected forage quality and mold counts, which in-turn influenced beef cattle preference of round bales stored outdoors.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Forage quality and beef cow preference is affected by wrap type of conventional and reduced-lignin alfalfa round bales stored outdoors

Reiter

DiCostanzo

Webb

et al. 2020

Translational Animal Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Hay Harvest and Storage

Rotz

Shinners

Digman

2020

Forages

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Effect of Alfalfa Cultivar and Bale Wrap Type on Dry Matter and Forage Quality of Large Round Bales in Outdoor Storage

Reiter

Wells

Grev

et al. 2020

Applied Engineering in Agriculture

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

HighlightsTime to bind a round bale was longest for twine (56 s) compared to B-Wrap® (28 s) and net wrap (18 s).Alfalfa cultivar had minimal effects on changes in dry matter and forage quality of round bales stored outdoors.Dry matter losses were 7% for twine bales, 5% for net wrap bales, while B-Wrap® bales maintained DM in outdoor storage.Deleterious changes in forage quality were generally observed after =180 days of outdoor storage. Abstract. Large round bales are commonly fed to livestock; however, it has been well documented that outdoor storage can negatively impact dry matter (DM) and forage quality. To reduce storage losses and improve feeding value, new wrap types and alfalfa cultivars have been developed; however, these options have not been extensively investigated. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to evaluate the time required to bind large round bales, determine changes in DM and forage quality, and examine the economics of reduced-lignin and conventional alfalfa hay bound in twine, net wrap, and B-Wrap® while in outdoor storage. Hay was baled into 24 large round bales; 12 bales each of reduced-lignin and conventional alfalfa. Within each cultivar, four replicates were bound with each wrap type. Using stopwatches, the time to bind each bale was recorded. At the time of harvest, and every 90±3 days for 365 days, individual bales were weighed and cored to determine changes in DM and forage quality. Significance was set at P = 0.05. Time to bind a bale was longest for twine, intermediate for B-Wrap®, and shortest for net wrap (P < 0.01). Alfalfa cultivar had minimal effects on the parameters measured; therefore, the interaction between wrap type and storage length was reported. After 365 days in outdoor storage, DM losses were 7% for twine bales, 5% for net wrap bales, while B-Wrap® bales maintained DM. Changes in forage quality were observed at =180 days of storage where nonstructural carbohydrates were decreased and insoluble fiber components were concentrated. B-Wrap® bales had a higher value compared to net wrap and twines bales at 180 and 270 days in storage. These results suggest that B-Wrap® was better able to shed precipitation which preserved forage quality and bale value compared to large round bales bound in net wrap and twine in long term, outdoor storage. Keywords: B-Wrap®, Bale value, Net wrap, Reduced-lignin alfalfa, Twine.

show abstract

Cattle preference for hay from round bales with different wrap types

Cited by 3 publications

References 9 publications

Forage quality and beef cow preference is affected by wrap type of conventional and reduced-lignin alfalfa round bales stored outdoors

Forage quality and beef cow preference is affected by wrap type of conventional and reduced-lignin alfalfa round bales stored outdoors

Hay Harvest and Storage

Effect of Alfalfa Cultivar and Bale Wrap Type on Dry Matter and Forage Quality of Large Round Bales in Outdoor Storage

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About