The relationships between storage time and
several chemical indices for forage quality were
established for alfalfa hay baled at two moisture
levels (29.9 and 19.7%) in conventional and
laboratory bale s made at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 times
the density o f parent, conventional bales. Bales
were sampled after 0, 4, 11, 22, and 60 days.
For the high-moisture bales, most quality
indices indicated substantial nutrient loss early
in the storage period, particularly between days
4 and 11, with little change after 22 days. A
nonlinear mathematical model was constructed
to describe how neutral detergent fiber and
several other quality indices changed with
storage time. Acid detergent fiber was related
poorly to storage time. Little change occurred
in the low (19.7%) moisture bales.
