ANSC 318 1st Edition Lecture 14 Outline of Last Lecture I. Pasture Grazing Systems, Hay Systems, and Field Losses. Outline of Current Lecture II. Hay Lossesa. Storage LossesIII. Strategies to Reduce Storage and Feed Lossesa. Strategies to Reduce Storage Lossesb. Strategies to Reduce Feeding Lossesi. Bale Feedersii. Restrict Time of Access to HayIV. Silagesa. Type of Silageb. Advantages of Silage c. Disadvantages of Silaged. Types of Silose. Costs of Storage Losses By SiloCurrent Lecture (**** = know this)Hay Losses:Storage Losses:•Storage losses can vary tremendously by storage method used and weather conditions•Storage losses influence both forage quality and quantity•as time passes (when stored outside) fiber increases, protein decreases, and digestiondecreases•quality is a reflection of protein•paying to store hay pays off in the end-keep off the ground (bales on pallets) and away from rain-plastic wrapFeeding Losses: •hay feeding losses can vary widely•allowing cows unlimited access to hay without use of some type of feeder will result in huge losses from laying, stepping, or fecal material•type of feeder effects amount of hay loss-feeders limit access to hayThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Strategies to Reduce Storage and Feeding Losses•properly store hay to reduce loss of quality and quantity during storage•use more effective round bale feeders to reduce feeding losses•limit access time of cows to reduce feeding losses and to stretch forage suppliesStrategies to Reduce Storage Losses:1. Store hay in barn or under roof structure2. Use baler with plastic wrap attachment-can bale wetter, minimize field/storage losses, can make “field silage”3. Cover bales with plastic tarp-more effective if put on pallets4. Place bales on pallet or tires•When hay gets wet, loss percentage increasesStrategies to Reduce Feeding Losses:I. Use Good Bale Feeders:•open-bottom ring hay feeder ($100)•sheeted-bottom ring hay feeder ($300)•sheeted-bottom cone hay feeder ($525)-worth the extra money; waste decreases with a better feeder-can lose up to half of hay due to bad storage/feeding habitsII. Restrict Time of Access to Hay•many studies done on how limiting access effects feeding losses (decreases them drastically)-animals do not gain as wellSilage•Silage: ****-product of controlled anaerobic fermentation of green forage crops that have beencompressed and stored in oxygen-limiting containers called silos-simulates behavior of microbes in rumen (high moisture, high temperature, lowoxygen)-length of fermentation process  2 to 3 weeks (fermentation never stops in cattle)Type of Silage:Carbonaceous Silages: < 10% CP•corn and milo silage•grass silage•stover silageProteinaceous Silages: > 10% CP•alfalfa silages•clover silagesAdvantages of Silage Compared to Hay:•preserves a higher proportion of plant nutrients•high quality, succulent feed with little wastage•harvesting of forage is not as dependent on good weather•flexibility of harvesting crops•decrease waste and feeding lossesDisadvantages of Silage Compared to Hay:•inflexibility in marketing silage•harvesting equipment is expensive•feed handling (moving) equipment is more expensive•reduces the amount of organic matter returned to soil•increase moisture, must be fed within 1-2 days when pulled from siloTypes of Silos:1. Air-tight silos-blue, most efficient2. Stave upright -not airtight3. Plastic airtight-silo bag4. Horizontal concrete bench-bunker silo-can be below ground-top layer = spoiled5. Horizontal dirt-trench-air trench-increase storage lossesStorage Losses & Cost of Various Types of Silos:•the more airtight, the less loss•if left on the ground, losses increase•less loss = more