Impact of Microbial Inhibitors on the Nutritive Value of and Microbial Growth in Alfalfa Hay Containerized for Exported from the Humid Eastern U.S.

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dc.contributor.authorQuick, Kyle Kennedyen
dc.contributor.committeechairTeutsch, Christopher D.en
dc.contributor.committeememberReed, T. Daviden
dc.contributor.committeememberGrisso, Robert D.en
dc.contributor.departmentCrop and Soil Environmental Sciencesen
dc.date.accessioned2017-07-19T08:00:19Zen
dc.date.available2017-07-19T08:00:19Zen
dc.date.issued2017-07-18en
dc.description.abstractThe arid conditions found in the west allow for the production of high quality hay for export. However, hay production in this region is highly dependent upon irrigation. There is significant interest in developing a hay export market in the eastern U.S. Therefore, a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities with containerizing hay in high humidity environments is needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of hay preservatives on the stability of containerized hay. Treatments included 1) propionic acid at baling, 2) propiopnic acid at baling + surface applied propionic acid at container loading, 3) propionic acid at baling + ammonization of the container after loading, and 4) no preservatives. Propionic acid was applied at a rate of 2.5 kg Mg-1 of hay at baling to all treatments except the control. Hay was then stored for 5 weeks before compressing to a density of 320.0 kg m-3. Immediately before containerizing hay, treatment 2 received a surface application of propionic acid at a rate of 3.4 g bale-1. After loading hay into containers, treatment 3 was ammoniated at a rate of 1.5 kg NH3 Mg-1 DM. Temperature and relative humidity in the containers were monitored for the 45-day storage period. Hay was sampled at compression and immediately after opening the containers. There were no treatment effects on nutritive value parameters after containerization (P > 0.05). Neither propionic acid at harvest, nor treatments at containerization had an effect on mold development in this study (P > 0.05).en
dc.description.abstractgeneralHay exports from the western U.S. have more than doubled since 2000. The arid conditions found in the west allow for the production of high quality hay for export. However, hay production in this region is highly dependent upon irrigation. There is significant interest in developing a hay export market in the humid east. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of two hay preservatives on the stability of containerized hay. Treatments included 1) propionic acid at baling, 2) propionic acid at baling + surface applied propionic acid at container loading, 3) propionic acid at baling + ammoniaization of the container after loading, and 4) no preservatives. Propionic acid was applied at a rate of 2.5 kg Mg⁻¹ of hay at baling to Treatments 1, 2, and 3. Hay was then stored for 5 weeks before double compressing. After compression, bales were placed into containers with treatment 2 receiving a surface application of propionic acid at a rate of 3.4 g bale⁻¹ . Treatment 3 was ammoniated in the container after loading at a rate of 1.5 kg NH₃ Mg⁻¹ DM. Temperature and relative humidity in the containers were monitored for the 45 day storage period. Hay was sampled prior to compression, at compression, and immediately after opening the containers. Samples were analyzed for neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and crude protein. Subsamples were collected and sent for mold analysis. Results suggest that no treatments are needed in order to export quality alfalfa hay from the Mid-Atlantic.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:12212en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/78356en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectalfalfaen
dc.subjectexporten
dc.subjectmolden
dc.subjectpropionic aciden
dc.subjectanhydrous ammoniaen
dc.subjectcontainerizationen
dc.titleImpact of Microbial Inhibitors on the Nutritive Value of and Microbial Growth in Alfalfa Hay Containerized for Exported from the Humid Eastern U.S.en
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineCrop and Soil Environmental Sciencesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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