Value of alfalfa losses in the dairy forage system

alue lost because of dry matter loss and quality deterioration during production and utilization of forages was determined using a whole-farm simulation model (DAFOSYM). Improved submodels of dry matter loss and changes in neutral detergent fiber and crude protein during harvest, storage and feeding were developed. The silo storage model is comprehensive and describes the preseal, fermentation, infiltration and feedout phases. The animal model combines nutrient requirements with an intake function to predict animal response to forage quality.;Rate of respiration loss during field curing was modeled as a function of moisture content and temperature, with the loss being non-protein, non-fiber material. The loss in alfalfa value due to respiration is relatively small (;Machinery-induced losses were modeled as functions of moisture content and yield. Of these losses, raking loss reduces alfalfa value most (;For a moderate milk production level, hay storage causes the greatest value reduction (;Elimination of all losses on a representative, Midwestern, 100-cow dairy farm increases the annual net return by ;The value of alfalfa losses depends greatly on the milk production potential of the dairy animals. At high milk production levels (production is limited only by forage quality), the value of all alfalfa losses combined is 2.2 times greater than the value at moderate (8,000 kg/cow-y) milk production. The ranking of the most costly losses changes as milk production increases. Hay storage (;Improvement in feed allocation over a method typical of the better dairy farmers can increase net return by...