Poultry litter is a widely available fertilizer in the southeast USA and subsurface application of litter can increase both forage production and nutritive value. Frequent rainfall events and high humidity often limit time available for hay curing; baled silage techniques can increase harvest time flexibility. Unfortunately, rainfall events can still occur without forecast during harvest events, resulting in delayed baling or wrapping. The objective of this study was to evaluate poultry litter amendment methods, subsurface (SUB) and surface (SURF), and the effect of no rain (NR) on bales with wrapping after 2 h compared with rained-on bales with 17 h delayed wrapping (RDW) on warm-season grass baleage fermentation and nutritive value. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with two amendment treatments and two post-baling treatments. Crude protein (CP) was greater (p < 0.01) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was lower (p < 0.01) in both pre- and post-ensiled bales with subsurface-applied poultry litter. Rain and delayed wrapping resulted in lower pH (p = 0.03), starch (p < 0.01), and water-soluble carbohydrates (p < 0.01) in pre-ensiled bales, compared to those that did not receive rain and were wrapped within 2 h, while post-ensiled bales only differed in lower (p < 0.01) starch and slightly greater (p < 0.01) NDF in RDW. Lactic acid (p < 0.01), acetic acid (p < 0.01), and total acids (p = 0.03) were greater in SUB, while butyric acid tended to be greater (p = 0.09), and alcohols (p = 0.05) were greater in SURF. Bales from RDW and NR only differed by greater (p < 0.01) propionic acid concentrations in NR. Under the conditions of this experiment, subsurface application of poultry litter increased final nutritive value, while rainfall and delayed wrapping of 17 h had few effects on the final nutritive value of warm-season grass baleage.

Recently, there has been interest in including triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) within forage programs in the southwest USA. Our objectives were to evaluate in vitro disappearance kinetics of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and dry matter (DM) for cultivars identified during 2019 as positively or negatively deviant from typical cultivars, based specifically on regressions of 48-h in vitro disappearance of NDF on growth stage (GRST). All NDF analyses included the use of heat-stable alpha-amylase and sodium sulfite, as well as correction for residual ash (asNDFom). Seven triticale cultivars were established on December 18, 2019 at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center, located near Maricopa, AZ. Forage plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three complete blocks (replications), and then harvested on seven dates the following late-winter and spring (February 26, March 17, April 1, April 14, April 28, May 12, and May 26). Based on a linear model, GRST was highly variable among cultivars on March 17 (44 +/- 10.6), April 1 (57 +/- 12.1), April 14 (67 +/- 8.9), and April 28 (79 +/- 7.2) compared with other harvest dates (SD <= 1.7). For concentrations of asNDFom, all cultivars exhibited linear (P <= 0.042) and quadratic (P < 0.001) polynomial contrasts in response to harvest date, and all cultivars except Merlin Max (P >= 0.063) exhibited at least one additional cubic or quartic effect (P <= 0.015). A contributing factor to the unique response by Merlin Max was the numerically greater maximum canopy height (145 +/- 9.8 cm) compared with the mean of all cultivars (107 +/- 17.7 cm), which also was associated with greater percentages of stem, as well as reduced percentages of DM partitioned within the grain head. Regressions of asNDFom disappearance after 30- or 48-h incubations on GRST indicated this was an effective independent variable (R-2 >= 0.927), and responses were most often linear in nature. Generally, relationships for DM disappearance were quadratic, ostensibly due to the complicating effect of grain fill, but GRST was again an effective predictor variable with R-2 statistics >= 0.852 for 12 of 14 combinations of cultivar and incubation time. Predicted percentages of digestible DM attributed to asNDFom disappearance were >= 50.3% through the fully flowered stage of growth, but digestible contributions from nonfiber components following the onset of grain fill profoundly affected overall DM digestibility among cultivars harvested at later GRST. Assuming a common growth stage, most triticale cultivars will differ only modestly with respect to digestibility before the onset of grain fill. However, appropriate cultivar selection can become more complicated with grain fill as varying contributions from the filling grain head can radically affect overall digestibility of dry matter. Lay Summary Recently, there has been increased interest in including triticale within forage programs throughout the southwest USA. Unless there is an urgency for removing the triticale crop, such as those created by a feed shortage or need to establish a secondary crop, harvest management decisions should be based on plant growth stage, and not calendar date. Assuming a common growth stage, this work suggests that most triticale cultivars will differ only modestly with respect to digestibility before the onset of grain fill. However, producers should be cautious of cultivars with unique or atypical phenotypic traits, such as exceptional canopy height, which may cause exceptions to the previous generalization. If yield is a critical management objective, harvest should most likely be delayed until after the onset of grain fill, but cultivar selection can become more complicated at that time because varying contributions from the filling grain head can radically affect overall digestibility of dry matter (DM). In this respect, producers should carefully evaluate their nutritional and production goals to assess whether their needs prioritize digestible fiber or overall DM digestibility, the latter of which can have limited contributions from digestible fiber.

Silage intake and utilization by ruminants can be affected by several factors including forage type and fertilization. The objective of this study was to evaluate intake, digestion, and N balance by sheep offered three different ensiled grasses following fertilization with either urea (C) or dairy slurry (S). Plots of meadow fescue (MF), tall fescue (TF) or orchardgrass (OG) were fertilized with urea (52 kg N/ha; MFC, TFC and OGC) or slurry (71,150 L/ha; MFS, TFS, and OGS) on 2 July 2018 following an initial harvest on 29 June 2018. A second harvest was baled 6 August at approximately 57 % moisture and wrapped in plastic. Eighteen lambs (59 +/- 1.5 kg) were allo-cated randomly to one of the 6 treatment combinations to provide 3 lambs per treatment within each of 3 periods for a total of 9 replications per treatment. Each period consisted of a 10-d adap-tation and 7-d total fecal and urine collection. Data were analyzed as a 2 x 3 factorial arrange-ment using PROC MIXED of SAS. Post-ensiled crude protein (CP) concentrations were greatest from MFS and lowest from OGS (P < 0.05), and aNDF, ADF and lignin were greater (P < 0.05) from OG vs TF and MF, regardless of fertilization. Lactic acid concentrations (g/kg DM) in baled silages were greatest from TFC and lowest from MFC and OGS (P < 0.05). Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intakes (g/kg BW and BW0.75), digestibility and digestible DM and OM in-takes (g/kg BW and BW0.75) were greater (P < 0.05) from MF than from TF and OG across fertilization type and digestible OM intake was greater (P < 0.05) from C vs. S across forages. Digestibility of NDF (g/kg NDF) was greater (P < 0.05) from MF and OG vs. TF across fertilization treatments. Nitrogen retention (g/kg N intake) tended (P = 0.08) to be greater from MF vs. OG and urine N (g/kg N intake and g/kg N excreted) was greater from TF and OG compared with MF across fertilization treatments. Therefore, meadow fescue has the potential to provide a higher -quality forage that will increase intake and digestibility over more conventional orchardgrass and tall fescue. Fertilization with dairy slurry affected certain forage chemical components and reduced organic matter intake but did not impact digestibility when applied 35 d prior to a subsequent harvest.

For baled silages, production of clostridial fermentation products can be exacerbated by exceeding normal moisture targets (45% to 55%), and/or by the application of dairy slurry before harvest. Our objectives were to test a microbial inoculant as a mitigant of clostridial products in high-moisture, grass-legume (52% ± 13.8% cool-season grasses, 44.0% ± 14.0% legumes [predominately alfalfa]) baled silages in swards that were fertilized with dairy slurry. A secondary objective was to examine the effects of bale moisture and inoculation on the aerobic stability of these fermented silages following exposure to air. After the first-cutting was removed, three manure treatments were applied as a whole-plot factor: 1) control (no manure); 2) slurry applied immediately to stubble (63,250 L/ha); or 3) slurry applied after a 1-wk delay (57,484 L/ha). An interactive arrangement of bale moisture (64.1% or 48.4%) and inoculation (yes or no) served as a subplot term in the experiment. The inoculant contained both homolactic (Lactococcus lactis 0224) and heterolactic (Lactobacillus buchneri LB1819) bacteria. The experimental design was analyzed as a randomized complete block with four replications, and the study included 48 experimental units (1.2 × 1.2-m round bales). Total fermentation acids were affected (P ≤ 0.021) by slurry application strategies, but this was likely related to inconsistent bale moisture across slurry-application treatments. Concentrations of butyric acid were low, and there were no detectable contrasts comparing manure treatments (mean = 0.05%; P ≥ 0.645). Bale moisture affected all measures of fermentation, with bales made at 64.1% moisture exhibiting a more acidic final pH (4.39 vs. 4.63; P < 0.001), less residual water-soluble carbohydrates (2.1% vs. 5.1%; P < 0.001), as well as greater lactic acid (4.64% vs. 2.46%; P < 0.001), acetic acid (2.26% vs. 1.32%; P < 0.001), and total fermentation acids (7.37% vs. 3.97%; P < 0.001). Inoculation also reduced pH (4.47 vs. 4.56; P = 0.029), and increased acetic acid (1.97% vs. 1.61%; P < 0.001) and 1,2-propanediol (1.09% vs. 0.72%; P < 0.001) compared to controls. During a 34-d aerobic exposure period, maximum surface bale temperatures were not affected (P ≥ 0.186) by any aspect of treatment, likely due to the prevailing cool ambient temperatures; however, yeast counts were numerically lower in response to greater (P < 0.001) production of acetic acid that was stimulated by both high bale moisture and inoculation.

Extending the grazing season, and thereby reducing reliance on harvested and stored forages, positively affects the economics of grazing livestock. In the Southern Great Plains and Southeastern regions of the U. S., grazing systems are dominated by warm season perennial grasses. The most famous example of using annual forages to extend the grazing season in the Southern Great Plains is the use of wheat (and other cool-season annuals) in crop fields as a forage resource during the winter and early spring in either dual purpose (grazing and grain production) or graze-out (grazing entire crop) uses. Even in foraging systems that utilize both warm-season perennials and cool-season annuals in the Southern Great Plains, a substantial forage shortfall occurs in late summer and early fall. In the Northern Great Plains, native and perennial introduced forage species are primarily cool-season species, but still have primary productivity during late spring and summer, with production shortfalls during early winter and spring. While in the Mid-West, predominantly cool-season perennial pastures have production shortfalls and reduced forage nutritive value in mid-summer, commonly known as ‘summer slump’. In any and all of these environments, annual forages can and have been used to fill gaps in forage production. Recent research has investigated using annual forages in novel ways to further extend grazing seasons. In the northern Midwest summer plantings of cool season annuals such as oats have been used to provide grazing resources during the fall and early winter. While in the southeast, late summer plantings of warm-season annuals have filled the fall forage gaps. Annual forages offer many advantages in designing systems to extend grazing seasons in all environments. Annual forages are generally higher in nutritive value than perennials and plantings can be timed to fill gaps in availability of the dominant perennial forages in the local environment.

Objectives: Our objectives were to evaluate the storage characteristics and changes in nutritive value for largeround bales of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)-orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerate L.) or perennial-grass [orchardgrass; tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.); meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.)] hays treated with a propionic acid-based preservative. Applicator delivery presets were increased by 50% relative to standard factory settings, and hays were compared against untreated control hays. Materials and Methods: In Exp. 1, 21 large-round bales (1.2 x 1.5 m; 30.5 +/- 1.40% moisture; 88% alfalfa, 12% grass) were produced in a completely randomized design with 2 treatments. Bales either received a propionic acid-based preservative at 1.0 +/- 0.41% of wet bale weight (n = 11), or no preservative (n = 10), and were stored outdoors on wooden pallets for 131 d. Experiment 2 was conducted similarly; 26 bales of mixed, perennial-grass hay (1.2 x 1.5 m; 18.4 +/- 1.40% moisture) were either treated with a preservative at 0.25 +/- 0.104% of wet bale weight (n = 15) or were untreated (n = 11) and stored in an identical manner for 40 d. Results and Discussion: In Exp. 1, application of the preservative reduced maximum internal bale temperatures during the first 30 d of storage compared with untreated control hays (51.8 vs. 60.6 degrees C; P < 0.001); similarly, heating degree days >30 degrees C (HDD) were less for treated hays during the same initial (30-d) time interval (441 vs. 716 HDD; P = 0.001). However, total HDD after 131 d of storage did not differ across treatments (P = 0.426), largely because of the tendency for greater accumulated HDD in treated bales from 31 to 131 d in storage (1,105 vs. 761 HDD; P = 0.085). Final energy density (NE1) was greater (P = 0.030) for treated hays compared with untreated control hays (1.26 vs. 1.21 Mcal/kg DM), but both treatments were depressed from initial prestorage estimates (overall mean = 1.37 Mcal/kg DM). For Exp. 2, there were no differences (P >= 0.185) between treatments for any poststorage measure of nutritive value. Implications and Applications: For bales made at 30.5% moisture, application of a propionic acid-based preservative with elevated delivery presets effectively reduced spontaneous heating during the first month of bale storage, and modestly improved poststorage energy density; however, any nutritional benefit from treatment was modest, and energy density was still subject to measurable reductions relative to prestorage estimates.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of harvesting alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort] after frost and ensiling mixtures of these forages on silage fermentation characteristics, intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation by ewe lambs. Forages were harvested in October of 2017, wilted, and blended as either alfalfa alone, 67% alfalfa + 33% novel endophyte-infected tall fescue, 33% alfalfa + 67% fescue, or 100% fescue. Twenty bins were lined with 2 plastic bags, packed (n = 5/trt) with the respective forages, stored for 3 months, and then assigned randomly to Dorper ewe lambs (n = 20; mean BW = 34.7 +/- 6.65 kg) and offered for ad libitum consumption. Lambs were allowed 14 d of adaptation followed by 5 d of total feces and urine collection. Data were analyzed using PROCMIXED of SAS and orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to identify trends associated with different proportions of fescue to alfalfa. Silage total acids, lactate, and acetate concentrations increased linearly (P < 0.01), while silage ammonia decreased linearly and quadratically (P < 0.01) with increasing proportions of fescue in the silage. The proportions of lactate to total acids (g/kg total acids) increased linearly (P < 0.01) and quadratically (P = 0.02) with increasing fescue-to-alfalfa ratio. Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake (g/kg BW), digestibility, and intake of digestible DM and OM (g/kg BW) decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as fescue proportion increased in the silages. Total ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFA), as well as concentrations of isovalerate and total branched-chain VFA decreased (P < 0.05) linearly and quadratically, butyrate and valerate decreased linearly (P < 0.01), and ruminal acetate concentrations increased (P < 0.01) linearly with increasing fescue concentration in the silage. All N utilization measurements (intake, absorption and retention) decreased with increasing fescue concentration in the silage (P < 0.01). Ensiling alfalfa with fescue that was harvested after a frost may improve forage fermentation characteristics, but may reduce intake and digestibility by lambs compared to feeding undiluted alfalfa silage.

The objective of this study was to determine growth, feed intake, and feed efficiency of postbred dairy heifers with different genomic residual feed intake (RFI) predicted as a lactating cow when offered diets differing in energy density. Postbred Holstein heifers (n = 128, ages 14-20 mo) were blocked by initial weight (high, medium-high, medium-low, and low) with 32 heifers per block. Each weight block was sorted by RFI (high or low) to obtain 2 pens of heifers with high and low genomically predicted RFI within each block (8 heifers per pen). Low RFI heifers were expected to have greater feed efficiency than high RFI heifers. Dietary treatments consisted of a higher energy control diet based on corn silage and alfalfa haylage [HE; 62.7% total digestible nutrients, 11.8% crude protein, and 45.6% neutral detergent fiber; dry matter (DM) basis], and a lower energy diet diluted with straw (LE; 57.0% total digestible nutrients, 11.7% crude protein, and 50.1% neutral detergent fiber; DM basis). Each pen within a block was randomly allocated a diet treatment to obtain a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (2 RFI levels and 2 dietary energy levels). Diets were offered in a 120-d trial. Dry matter intake by heifers was affected by diet (11.0 vs. 10.0 kg/d for HE and LE, respectively) but not by RFI or the interaction of RFI and diet. Daily gain was affected by the interaction of RFI and diet, with low RFI heifers gaining more than high RFI heifers when fed LE (0.94 vs. 0.85 kg/d for low and high RFI, respectively), but no difference for RFI groups when fed HE (1.16 vs. 1.19 kg/d for low and high RFI, respectively). Respective feed efficiencies were improved for low RFI compared with high RFI heifers when fed LE (10.6 vs. 11.8 kg of feed DM/kg of gain), but no effect of RFI was found when fed HE (9.4 vs. 9.5 kg of DM/kg of gain for high and low RFI, respectively). No effect of RFI or diet on first-lactation performance through 150 DIM was observed. Based on these results, the feed efficiency of heifers having different genomic RFI may be dependent on diet energy level, whereby low RFI heifers utilized the LE diet more efficiently. The higher fiber straw (LE) diet controlled intake and maintained more desirable heifer weight gains. This suggests that selection for improved RFI in lactating cows may improve feed efficiency in growing heifers when fed to meet growth goals of 0.9 to 1.0 kg of gain/d.

Subsurface poultry litterapplication improves nutrient utilization compared with surface application through reduced nutrient runoff, and increased forage nutritive value. This study compared the effects of subsurface (SUB) or surface (SURF) poultry litter application against controls (CON; no litter) for baled silages made at high moisture (1-EM) or low moisture at (LM) Booneville, AR, in 2018. Mixtures of cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), annual ryegrass (Loiiion multiflorum Lam.), and tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Duntort., nom. cons.] baled silages were compared for nutritive value and silage fermentation characteristics. Data were analyzed as a split-plot design with three fertilizer treatments as whole plots, and initial bale moisture as subplots. Pre-ensiled P and K were greater (P < .05) for the mean of SURF and SUB than for CON. Neutral detergent fiber was greater (P = .02) in CON versus the mean of SURF and SUB. In post-ensiled bales, propionic (P < .05) and succinic acid (P < .05) concentrations were greater in the mean of SURF and SUB than in CON, and greater in SUB than in SURF. Moisture had positive (P < 0.05) relationships with fermentation acids, and negative relationships with pH, water-soluble carbohydrates, and starch. Overall, very few differences between SUB and SURF were detected, baleage nutritive value was not improved with SUB poultry litter application, and fermentation characteristics were most affected by the initial bale moisture.

Objective: Propionic-acid-based products are used commonly for storage of dry hay but are not often consid-ered when ensiling baled forages. The objectives for this study were to test several application rates of a propionic-acid-based preservative on the storage efficiency, nutrient preservation, fermentation characteristics, and aerobic stability of alfalfa-grass silages. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated 4 pre-servative treatments applied to alfalfa-grass forages that had received 5.1 mm of unexpected rainfall during wilting. A propionic-acid-based preservative was applied at rates of 0.01 (control), 0.13, 0.44, or 0.80% of wet bale weight to 24 (1.2 x 1.2 m) round bales made at either 43.6 or 51.6% moisture. Aerobic stability was then evaluated by remov-ing plastic film from all bales and monitoring surface bale temperatures for 11 d during spring. After exposure, sur-face and core samples were evaluated further for residual fermentation products and pH. Results and Discussion: Before fermentation, forage pH declined linearly (P < 0.001) from 6.14 to 5.77 with increasing pro duct-application rates. After 242 d of stor-age, there were linear increases in concentrations of total alcohols (P = 0.002), and particularly 2,3-butanediol (P < 0.001), with increasing preservative application rates. After aerobic exposure, maximum surface temperatures (0.15-m depth) declined linearly (P = 0.001) from 55.6 to 17.9 degrees C with preservative application rate. A similar linear (P = 0.002) effect was observed for exposed surface pH (range = 6.52 to 5.41). Implications and Applications: Propionic-acid-based preservatives improved aerobic stability of round -bale silages, but the additional cost must be a critical component of any overall management strategy.

Poor silage fermentation can affect its acceptance by livestock. Alfalfa from 3 field blocks were baled in large round bales (moisture concentration = 591 +/- 43.0 g/kg) and then wrapped with 7 layers of plastic either with (EOB) or without (CW) an enhanced oxygen barrier on the day of baling, or 1, 2 or 3 d after baling in order to examine those effects on subsequent intake and digestibility by gestating sheep. Alfalfa was chopped after approximately 5 mo. of fermentation, and then offered for individual ad libitum consumption by 16 gestating ewes [63.5 +/- 1.71 kg avg. body weight (BW)] in a 3-period (63-day) digestion study. Silage moisture and nitrogen (N) decreased linearly (P < 0.05), acid-detergent fiber (ADF) increased linearly (P < 0.05), and neutral-detergent fiber (aNDF) increased at a decreasing rate (linear; quadratic P < 0.05) with wrapping delay within EOB but not CW (P >= 0.23). Lactic acid expressed as g/kg of total silage acids decreased linearly (P < 0.05) within CW and decreased at an increasing rate (linear; quadratic P < 0.05) within EOB with increasing wrapping delay, likely because of aerobic deterioration. Digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) decreased linearly (P = 0.03) within EOB and quadratically (P = 0.02) within CW (wrap type x wrapping time after baling interaction; P = 0.04), but other intake and digestibility measurements were not affected (P >= 0.15) by wrap type or its interaction with wrapping time after baling. Intake of DM and OM (DMI and OMI, g/kg BW) as well as digestible DMI (g/kg BW) responded linearly and quadratically (P <= 0.03) with wrapping delay after baling by initially increasing to 1 d after baling, then declining sharply thereafter. Digestibility of aNDF increased linearly (P = 0.04) with wrapping delay which was likely related to reduced DMI. These values align somewhat closely with those for forage quality and fermentation profiles. Therefore, managing alfalfa silage to ensure more desirable fermentation should also result in higher digestible OMI, which will improve the overall energy status of ruminants.

Best management practices (BMPs) can mitigate erosion and nutrient runoff. We evaluated runoff losses for silage corn management systems using paired watershed fields in central Wisconsin. A two-year calibration period of fall-applied liquid dairy manure incorporated with chisel plow tillage (FMT) was followed by a three and a half-year treatment period. During the treatment period FMT was continued on one field, and three different systems on the others: (a) fall-applied manure and chisel tillage plus a vegetative buffer strip (BFMT); (b) a fall rye cover crop with spring manure application and chisel tillage (RSMT), both BMPs; a common system (c) fall manure application with spring chisel tillage (FMST). Year-round runoff monitoring included flow, suspended sediment (SS), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP), ammonium (NH4+-N), nitrate, and total nitrogen (TN). Results showed BFMT reduced runoff SS, TP, and TN concentration and load compared to FMT. The RSMT system reduced concentrations of SS, TP, and TN, but not load because of increased runoff. The FMST practice increased TP, DRP, and NH4+-N loads by 39, 376, and 197%, respectively. While BMPs showed mitigation potential for SS, TN, and TP, none controlled DRP, suggesting additional practices may be needed in manured corn silage fields with high runoff potential.

ABSTRACT Objective The objectives for this study were to assess the storage characteristics of relatively dry, mixed-species forage preserved with a propionic-acid-based preservative, or by wrapping with 7 layers of plastic film as baled silage. Materials and Methods The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, which included application of a propionic-acid-based preservative at 0.27 ± 0.025% of wet bale weight (yes or no), and wrapping in 7 layers of stretch film (yes or no). A total of 33 round bales (1.2 × 1.5 m) containing 66% legumes (alfalfa; Medicago sativa L.) and 31% grasses (orchardgrass; Dactylis glomerata L.) were produced at 25.8 ± 2.20% moisture. This number of bales were sufficient for 8 complete field blocks (replications), plus one additional bale assigned to receive preservative, but no plastic wrap. Bales were positioned on wooden pallets for 84 d before final sampling. Internal bale temperatures were monitored daily during the 84-d storage period. Results and Discussion The preservative had no clear statistical effect on any measure of spontaneous heating (P ≥ 0.086). In contrast, application of plastic film yielded reduced maximum internal bale temperatures (41.5 vs. 61.6°C; P 30°C (111 vs. 732; P 0.05) in wrapped bales compared with pre-storage values. Implications and Applications The application of plastic film onto relatively dry mixed-species forages proved extremely effective in reducing spontaneous heating during storage, as well as minimizing nutrient losses.

Objective: Propionic-acid-basal products are used commonly for storage of dry hay but generally not for baled silages. The objective for this study was to compare perennial-grass-silage bales made with 2 application rates of a propionic-acid-based preservative against untreated controls for storage efficiency, nutrient preservation, fermentation characteristics, and aerobic stability. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated 3 preservative treatments applied to 3 perennial-grass forages (meadow fescue, orchardgrass, or tall fescue) that had been field wilted to respective moisture concentrations of 31.1, 42.1, or 41.4% before baling. A propionic-acid-based preservative was applied at rates of 0.01 (control), 0.48, or 0.77% of wet bale weight to 24 round bales. After an 84-d storage period, aerobic stability was assessed by exposing bales to outside weather conditions during October for 14 d. Results and Discussion: On a pre-ensiled basis, preservative application increased (P < 0.001) buffering capacity and decreased (P < 0.001) initial pH relative to control bales. After storage, orchardgrass silages exhibited greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of lactic and total acids than other forage types, which was partially related to differences in bale moisture compared with meadow fescue. During a 14-d aerobic exposure period, the maximum surface temperature (0.15-m depth) was greater for controls compared with preservative-treated silages (33.4 vs. 15.2 degrees C; P < 0.001), and exposed pH exhibited a similar response (5.76 vs. 5.26; P < 0.001). Implications and Applications: Application of a propionic-acid-based preservative improved aerobic stability in relatively dry grass silages, but cost must be weighed in any decision before use.

The impacts of low-disturbance manure application (LDMA) on runoff water quality in hay crop forages are not well known. Our objective in this study was to determine surface runoff losses of total nitrogen (TN), ammonium N (NH4 -N), nitrate N (NO3 -N), total phosphorus (TP), dissolved reactive P (DRP), and suspended sediment from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)-grass plots in central Wisconsin after surface broadcasting manure and LDMA compared with no application. Treatments were (a) surface banding (BAND), (b) surface banding with aeration (A/B), (c) shallow disk injection (INJECT), (d) surface broadcast (BCAST), and (e) a no-manure control (CONT). Runoff events were generated (n = 7) from replicated plots following a standardized rainfall simulation protocol. Although runoff was variable across plots and within treatments, mean runoff concentrations of TN (P = .03), NH4 -N (P = .03), TP (P = .001), and DRP (P < .0001) were lower for incorporated (INJECT and A/B) vs. unincorporated (BCAST and BAND) treatments. INJECT had lower mean DRP concentration (P = .02) than A/B and was similar to CONT and had lower cumulative TN (P = .05), TP (P = .07), and DRP (P = .01) loads than A/B. Additionally, TP, TN, DRP, and NH4 -N loads and concentrations were strongly related with soil surface manure coverage extent (R2 = 0.50-0.84; P < .0001), suggesting that manure was a main source of N and P losses. Although INJECT appeared to be the most effective in mitigating nutrient loss in surface runoff, more research is needed to determine LDMA impacts on farm economics, soil properties, and runoff water quality.

Although grazing vegetative winter annual cereals is common throughout the Southern Plains, it generally has not been considered in the northern United States. This research aimed to evaluate the fall forage yield and nutritive value of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), and triticale [x Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus (Secale x Triticum)], cultivars in central Wisconsin. The trial was conducted over 3 yr in a randomized complete block design. Plots were established on 15 Aug. 2017, 13 Aug. 2018, and 1 Aug. 2019. Treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of three winter cereal species (rye, triticale and wheat) and four targeted fall harvest dates (15 October, 1 November, 15 November, and 1 December). Fall yields ranged from 1,819 to 1,994, 465 to 957, and 1,144 to 1,357 lb dry matter (DM) acre(-1) across species during 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively, but consistent advantages for any species were difficult to discern. There was little evidence that fall yields were improved by delaying the harvest date beyond 15 October. Although the nutritive value of winter cereals was excellent, variations in net energy of lactation (NEL) were positively correlated with water-soluble carbohydrates for 2018 (r = 0.57) and 2019 (r = 0.46). Whole-plant ash was negatively associated with NEL, yielding significant correlations for 2017 (r = -0.97), 2018 (r = -0.88), and 2019 (r = -0.66). Spring yields of cereal rye were reduced compared with other species in 2019 and 2020 but no differences were detected in 2018.

Throughout central Wisconsin, many soils are poorly drained, and perennial cool-season grasses are often planted as monocultures or in mixed stands with alfalfa because of the poor persistence of alfalfa under these growing conditions. Our objectives were to compare the fermentation characteristics and nutritive value of perennial cool-season grasses {meadow fescue [Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.], orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), and endophyte-free tall fescue [Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub]} conserved as baled silages with or without particle-size reduction, and at 2 moisture concentrations. Twenty-four plots (0.23 ha) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 6 plots/block. Within each of the 4 field blocks, one of the 6 plots was assigned randomly to each of the (3 × 2) factorial combinations of forage type and bale cutting engagement (cut or uncut). The baler cutting mechanism consisted of 15 cutting knives, thereby creating a theoretical length of cut of about 8.1 cm. Generally, sufficient forage was available to produce 2 bales/plot; therefore, one bale was packaged at relatively high moisture (58.3%), whereas the other bale was made at an ideal moisture (44.9%) for this silage preservation method. Theoretically, bale cutting can increase bale weights and densities by reducing particle size, thereby allowing inclusion of additional forage within the same-sized bale. In this experiment, bale-cutting within 1.2 × 1.2 m silage bales (n = 47) increased initial wet and dry bale weights by 4.1 and 4.7%, respectively, but had no practical effect on measures of nutritive value, either on a pre- or postensiled basis. Cutter engagement tended to increase total volatile fatty acids in silages, thereby resulting in a pH reduction of 0.07 pH units (5.54 vs. 5.61). A unique nonflowering growth response by the first-cutting orchardgrass forage resulted in yields of dry matter for orchardgrass (2,977 kg of dry matter/ha) that were only 52 to 53% of those observed for meadow (5,580 kg of dry matter/ha) or tall fescue (5,763 kg of dry matter/ha), which did not differ. Despite the unique vegetative nature of orchardgrass, concentrations of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin determined before ensiling exhibited limited variability across forages (60.9 to 62.7%, 35.2 to 36.4%, and 2.75 to 2.99%, respectively). However, a 30-h in vitro incubation determined that orchardgrass exhibited greater neutral detergent fiber digestibility (56.2%) compared with meadow (44.9%) or tall fescue (40.8%), which were also statistically distinct.

Grazing-based dairy operations require productive, high-quality forages capable of supporting the nutritional needs of mid-lactation dairy cows. Our objectives were to evaluate primary and regrowth harvests of two cultivars of sudangrass (SU), sorghum-sudangrass (S×SU), and pearl millet (PM) forages for growth and nutritive characteristics within the specific context of suitability for grazing by dairy cows. Three harvest cycles, including primary and regrowth cycles in 2016, and a single harvest cycle of primary growth in 2017, were evaluated at two locations (Prairie du Sac and Marshfield, WI). Within each cycle, sampling was initiated when canopy height was about 41 cm and continued thereafter on weekly intervals for 5 weeks, resulting in six equally spaced sampling dates per harvest cycle. Data were analyzed as a split-plot design with cultivars (6) as whole-plots arranged in randomized complete blocks and weekly harvest dates (6) as subplots. Yields of dry matter (DM) were less consistent at the more northern location (Marshfield), which is known for its heavier, poorly drained soils. Despite locational differences, the taller-growing cultivar within each forage type frequently exhibited yield advantages over dwarf or shorter-growing cultivars; this occurred for 7 of 9 intra-forage-type comparisons (P ≤ 0.021) across three harvest cycles at Prairie du Sac, and for 6 of 9 similar comparisons (P ≤ 0.032) at Marshfield. In 2016, shorter-growing cultivars had greater percentages of leaf in 4 of 6 intra-forage-type comparisons at both locations (P ≤ 0.004), which is especially relevant for grazing. Similarly, PM cultivars exhibited shorter canopy heights (P ≤ 0.002), but greater percentages of leaf (P < 0.001), than all other cultivars during all harvest cycles at both locations. However, the greater leaf percentages exhibited by PM cultivars did not translate into reduced percentages of structural plant fiber (asNDFom) on a whole-plant basis during any harvest cycle at either location; furthermore, asNDFom concentrations for PM cultivars were greater (P ≤ 0.047) than observed for other cultivars within 3 of 6 harvest cycles across both locations. Ruminal in-situ degradation of asNDFom for whole-plant forages based on a 48-h incubation was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.006) for PM compared with other cultivars in 4 of 6 harvest cycles. Pearl millet cultivars generally exhibited more suitable characteristics for grazing livestock than SU or S×SU cultivars.

Moisture content and time between baling and wrapping round bale silage impacts silage quality and aerobic stability. The objective of this study was to observe the effects of wrapping delays of 0, 1, 2, or 3 d on the nutritional quality and storage characteristics of annual ryegrass (Loliuni multiflorum Lam.) silage baled at two levels of moisture (30 +/- 9.5% [DRY] or 74 +/- 0.8% [WET]). The DRY (n = 18) and WET (n = 20) bales were assigned as replicates and wrapped by pasture quadrant, then stored for 85 d. Crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) of the silage were greater (P < .01) for DRY than WET. Wrapping delays did not change bale weight or CP, but dry matter concentrations decreased linearly (P = .03) and ADF, NDF, and ADICP increased (P <= .02) linearly with wrapping delay. The maximum temperature of DRY was greater (P = .01) than WET and increased linearly with wrapping delays (P < .01). Changes in the fermentation profile of WET bales with delays in wrapping indicated altered fermentation and increased pH, which will result in reduced shelf life as well as clostridial activity with greater butyric acid content and possible reduced intake by livestock. Based on these results, ryegrass fermentation patterns and nutritional quality show a decline with each day delayed before wrapping with WET silage.