Effects of top covering and ground base on round bale hay quality over winter

Abstract

The effect of top treatments no-cover (NC), tallow (TL) and tarp (TR) and bottom treatments gravel (G) and soil (S) on dry matter (DM) and quality changes over 290 d were studied in round hay bales. Total DM losses in TR (1.3%) were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than NC (5.7%) and TL (10.2%). Bales stored on G had less DM loss at the bottom of the bale (1%) compared to S (1.3%). Tallow mixture was not effective in protecting bales stored outside. Key words: Tallow, tarp, soil, gravel, hay, nutrients, round bales