A SURVEY OF COMPOSITION AND HEAT DAMAGE IN DEHYDRATED ALFALFA PRODUCTS OVER THE GROWING SEASON FROM TWO B.C. PROCESSING PLANTS

Abstract

Samples of forages were collected throughout the growing season from two dehydrating plants at three different stages of processing: prior to drying, after drying and after pelleting. Samples were analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, fibre, nitrogen content of the acid detergent fibre and pepsin insoluble nitrogen. On the average the amount of heat damage present in the dehydrated samples was quite low (6.11 ADIN % N). There was significantly more heat damage in the samples from the Creston plant. The dry matter content of the material leaving the drier appears to be the main factor related to elevated heat damage.