Effects of Lactic Acid/lactobacillus Product and Bale Moisture on Forage Quality of Stored Bermudagrass Hay Square Bales.

Bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., is a common forage hay crop in northwest Arkansas, but harvest and baling can be difficult due to frequent storm events in spring.

High moisture in bales may result in heat damage and mold growth that affect nutritive value, palatability, and visual appeal negatively.  We hypothesized that application of a lactobacillus fermentation spray product to bermudagrass will allow for baling at an elevated moisture concentration without negatively influencing the nutritive value.  Treatments included non-sprayed, 18% bale moisture (1); non-sprayed, 25% bale moisture (2); sprayed, 18% bale moisture (3); and sprayed, 25% bale moisture (4) in a complete randomized block design with a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement.  The plots that were sprayed were treated with a solution containing 11% lactic acid and non-viable lactobacillus acidophilus at the time of cutting.  Six bales from each plot were labeled, weighed, and stored in insulated 6-bale stacks.  Core samples from three of the six bales were collected for chemical analysis prior to storage.  Bale temperatures were recorded throughout the 42-d storage period. At the end of the storage period all bales were weighed and core samples were collected from the three bales not sampled previously for chemical analysis, as well as mold and yeast counts.  Crude protein (CP), ash, and nitrogen (N) did not differ (P>0.26) among bale moisture effects or spray treatment for pre- and post- storage period.  Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) did differ (P<0.05) among bale moisture effects post-storage.  Neutral detergent fiber did have a storage effect (P=0.01) with its value increasing by 4% for lower bale moisture and by 7% for higher bale moisture.  Acid detergent lignin (ADL) did differ (P<0.05) among bale moisture effects and spray treatment effects post-storage.  Bale moisture concentrations may have an impact on some measures of forage quality, as apposed to the more common baling practices for bermudagrass hay.