Source: UNIVERSITY OF MAINE submitted to
A NOVEL APPROACH TO EXPAND OUR UNDERSTANDING OF ALFALFA HAY SPOILAGE AND IMPROVE THE EFFICACY OF HAY PRESERVATIVES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
NEW
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1029244
Grant No.
2022-70005-38224
Project No.
ME02022-05755
Proposal No.
2022-05755
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
AFRP
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2022
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2025
Grant Year
2022
Project Director
Romero, J.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
(N/A)
ORONO,ME 04469
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
In the US, > $3 billion/y is lost due to hay spoilage during storage. Hay spoilage causes a significant decline in nutritive value and increases DM losses and mold counts. Storage spoilage results from baling above 15-20% moisture, typically due to unexpected weather during wilting. Our recent efforts to model the effects of hay preservatives allowed us to identify the following six key objectives that we consider critical for alfalfa production in the Northeast and Northcentral regions.1) Evaluate the efficacy of propionic acid at preserving nutrients during the storage of high moisture alfalfa hay relative to grasses and mixtures2) Compare the effectiveness of ammonium propionate against propionic acid and sodium propionate in preserving high moisture alfalfa hay3) Evaluate the effects of propionic acid on high moisture alfalfa hay microbial community dynamics during storage4) Isolate and identify hay molds across the Northeast and Northcentral regions in order to understand their responsiveness to preservatives and their spoilage potential5) Assess the effects of film wrapping and cutting during baling on nutrient preservation of high moisture alfalfa hay that cannot be treated with chemical preservatives6) Raise awareness on the consequences of hay spoilage and the proper utilization of preservatives to mitigate nutrient losses among alfalfa hay producers in the Northeast and Northcentral regions.This project directly addresses the "Improve alfalfa forage and seed harvest and storage systems, including automation that reduces labor costs, to optimize economic returns to alfalfa producers as well as end-users including milk producers" priority.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
80%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3021640101080%
2051640110220%
Knowledge Area
302 - Nutrient Utilization in Animals; 205 - Plant Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1640 - Alfalfa;

Field Of Science
1010 - Nutrition and metabolism; 1102 - Mycology;
Goals / Objectives
1) Evaluate the efficacy of propionic acid at preserving nutrients during the storage of high moisture alfalfa hay relative to grasses and mixtures2) Compare the effectiveness of propionic acid against ammonium and sodium propionate in preserving high moisture alfalfa hay3) Evaluate the effects of propionic acid on high moisture alfalfa hay microbial community dynamics during storage4) Isolate and identify hay molds across Northeastern and Northcentral regions to quantify their divergent responsiveness to preservatives and spoilage potential.5) Assess the effects of film wrapping and cutting during baling on nutrient preservation of high moisture alfalfa hay that cannot be treated with chemical preservatives.6) Raise awareness on the consequences of hay spoilage and the proper utilization of preservatives to mitigate nutrient losses among alfalfa and mixed hay producers in the Northeast and Northcentral regions, which are highly susceptible to rain damage during harvest.
Project Methods
Objective 1:Treatments. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five blocks (five field batches) will be used to determine the effects of the following factorial arrangement of treatments: a) Forage mixtures [4 levels: 0/100, 35/65, 65/35, and 100/0% alfalfa/orchardgrass (w/w, both forages will be wilted to 30% moisture before baling)] × b) Propionic acid dose [3 levels: 0, 0.5, and 1% (w/w, fresh basis)] × b) Year (2 levels: 1 and 2) factorial arrangement of treatments. Per the previous panel suggestion, we had to remove the effect of multiple grass species to accommodate the assessment of the year effect and its interactions.Objective 2:Treatments. A RCBD with five blocks (the five harvested batches) will be used to determine the effects of the following factorial arrangement of treatments: a) Preservative type (3 levels: Propionic acid, sodium propionate, and ammonium propionate) × b) Preservative dose [3 levels: 0, 0.5, and 1% (w/w, fresh basis); on a propionate anion equivalent basis] × c) Year (2 levels: 1 and 2). We will be applying the preservatives on a propionate anion equivalent basis because it has been recommended by other authors when converting doses between propionic acid and its buffered salts (Undersander et al., 2011). Also, per the previous panel suggestion, we had to remove the effect of maturity to accommodate the assessment of the year effect and its interactions.Objective 3:Treatments. An RCBD (n= 6) will be used to determine the effects of the following factorial arrangement of treatments: a) Preservative (2 levels: Propionic acid and untreated hay) × b) Year (2 levels: 1 and 2). Propionic acid will be applied at a rate of 1% (w/w, fresh basis; on a propionate anion equivalent basis). Bales will be sampled at 0, 5, 15, 30, and 100 d of storage (5 levels, repeated measure) with a Uni-Forage sampler (Star Quality, Canada) powered by a wireless drill. All bale sampling holes will be sealed with spray-foam insulation to eliminate conduits for the escape of water or heat (Coblentz et al., 2020). Per the previous panel suggestion, we had to remove the effect of moisture to accommodate the assessment of the year effect and its interactions.Objective 4: Isolate and identify hay molds across geographical regions in order to understand their responsiveness to preservatives and their spoilage potential [Dr. Annis, Dr. Alvez, Dr. Ferraretto, and Dr. Romero]Sites. In Year 1, a diverse set of locations where alfalfa or mixed hay is produced will be sampled in Vermont by Dr. Alvez and in Wisconsin by Dr. Ferraretto. These include local producers and their respective research institutions (see support letters). During Y 1, 2, and 3, Objectives 3 (Dr. Romero) and 5 (Dr. Brito) will also generate high moisture alfalfa hay samples, which will be shared with this objective. Our states are located in areas with frequent heavy rainfall during hay harvest (Easterling et al., 2017), and consequently, producers are more likely to be forced to bale hay at high moisture concentrations.Antifungal activity tests. The minimum inhibitory and fungicidal concentration against propionic acid, ammonium propionate, sodium lignosulfonate, and chitosan will be determined for 15 isolates from the group that was sequenced to the species level. The methodology will be the same as the one we used in (Reyes et al., 2020). We have been working over the years to develop a novel hay preservative, and we have obtained promising antifungal results for both sodium lignosulfonate and chitosan (Leon-Tinoco et al., 2022). These results will allow us to identify which species are more susceptible or not to tested preservatives.Spoilage potential of isolates. Using our technique to assess the effects of single microbial strains on the nutritional value of sterile alfalfa hay (Reyes et al., 2020), we will determine the relative spoilage activity of the 15 isolates used for the antifungal tests. Response variables will include DM losses, spore counts, WSC, NH3N, and NDF concentration, which will be measured as shown in (Reyes et al., 2020).Next generation sequencing. Using the same protocols outlined in Objective 3, all samples collected in Objective 4 will be processed to amplify the ITS-1 and 16S V1-V3 regions so the fungal and bacterial diversity (respectively) of each sample can be determined and correlated with the metadata collected in the form that will be utilized for this component (see "Sampling Methodology" subsection). This will allow us to identify distribution patterns of hay fungi and bacteria across the Northeastern and Northcentral regions of the US.Objective 5: Evaluate the effects of plastic film wrapping and cutting at baling on the preservation of high moisture alfalfa hay [Dr. Brito Lab].Treatments. An RCBD (n= 6) will be used to determine the effects of the following factorial arrangement of treatments: a) Film wrapping (2 levels: unwrapped and wrapped) × b) Cutting at baling (2 levels: cut and uncut). Bales will be sampled at 0 and 100 d of storage with a Uni-Forage sampler (Star Quality, Canada) powered by a wireless drill. All bale sampling holes will be sealed with spray-foam insulation to eliminate conduits for the escape of water or heat (Coblentz et al., 2020). For d-0 sampling, core samples will be obtained before the wrapping step.Measures. All DM losses, nutritional composition, in vitro digestibility, fungal plating, heating measurements, and ITS-1 and 16S V1-V3 sequencing analysis evaluated in Objective 3 will be assessed at d 0 and 100 for this experiment.Objective 6: As stated in the Products and Audience statement.

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:We presented our first research findings at the 2024 dairy science meeting in West Palm Beach, FL. The audience included dairy academics (research, teaching, and extension), dairy industry representatives, dairy researchers/extensionists from federal agencies, dairy graduate and undergraduate students. Audience was US based plus international. We presented our research findings to the Maine Dairy Association representatives (Spring 2024) and developed a website for anyone to find about the project. We also presented our preliminary findings and ongoing experiments at the 2024 NAAIC conference organized in Pasco WA (Summer 24)and the NCCC31 multistate project meeting organized in Fargo ND (Summer 24) to an audience that included forage academics (research, teaching, and extension), forage industry representatives,forage researchers/extensionists from federal agencies, and dairy graduate students. Audience consisted of US and Canadian professionals. We are currently working on developing extension materials from our first findings but experiments have yet to be completed per timeline. Changes/Problems:Year 1 (2023) historical floodings during the growing season in New England disrupted and delayed experiments and samplings conducted in Maine, NH, and VT. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training 3 graduate students, 5 undergraduates, and 1 postdoc. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Preliminary data has been presented across multiple meetings, includign one to dairy producers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Follow timeline to complete pending harvests and extension activities once data analysis is completed. Year 1 (2023) historical floodings during growing season in New England disrupted and delayed some of the experiments conducted in Maine, NH, and VT.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Progress per goal: 1) Harvest 1 completed and currently beign analyzed. Harvest 2 will be conducted in a few weeks. 2)Harvest 1 completed, analyzed and presented at ADSA 2024. So far no major differences across propionic and ammonium propionate for major hay storagevariables. Harvest 2 in course. 3) Completed and currently beign analyzed. 4) All samples have been collected across multiple states: WI, VT, ME, NH, NY, and NJ. Strains have been isolated and identified to the genus level. Sequencing pending. 5)Completed and currently beign analyzed. 6) Pending the collection and analysis of 2024 harvest data.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: 2216 Assessing the effects of preservative type, dose, and storage phase on nutrient losses, heating kinetics, and microbial populations of high-moisture alfalfa hay. J. Poblete*1, B. Escudero- Alejos1, M. Chusho-Guevara1, D. Zamudio-Ayala1, A. P. Jimenez1, K. Nishimwe1, A. S. Mindiola1, M. V. Cardoso1, C. Knight2, S. Annis3, J. Garzon2, and J. J. Romero1, 1Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 2University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Orono, ME, 3School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME. ADSA, West Palm Beach.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: 2366 Effects of preservative type and dose on the ruminal in vitro gas production kinetics of high-moisture alfalfa hay. J. Poblete*1, B. Escudero-Alejos1, M. Chusho-Guevara1, D. Zamudio- Ayala1, A. P. Jimenez1, K. Nishimwe1, A. S. Mindiola1, M. V. Cardoso1, C. Knight2, S. Annis3, J. Garzon2, and J. J. Romero1, 1Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Maine, Orono ME, 2University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Orono ME, 3School of Biology and Ecology, Orono ME. ADSA, West Palm Beach.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: 2369 Survey on the occurrence of road hay fires in the United States and their economic impact. B. Escudero-Alejos*1, M. Chusho- Guevara1, E. Lawson1, T. Wood1, M. Manning1, C. Papenhausen1, J. B. Poblete1, A. P. Jimenez1, J. Nair2, and J. J. Romero1, 1Animal and Veterinary Sciences, School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 2Animal Science Program, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL. ADSA, West Palm Beach.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: A Novel Approach to Expand Our Understanding of Alfalfa Hay Spoilage & Improve the Efficacy of Hay Preservatives. Juan Romero, University of Maine. NAAIC. Pasco, WA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: The impact of PFAS on the forage-herbivore-human continuum and the optimization of forage preservatives to improve the efficiency of nutrient utilization in livestock systems. Juan J. Romero. NCCC31 meeting. Fargo, ND.


Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Seven acres were limed in November 2022, then fertilized in June 2023 and planted with alfalfa and timothy at Highmoor Farm in Maine. Objective 2 (assessing the benefits of adding ammonium hydroxide to propionic acid) hay experiment was harvested and is currently being monitored during 60 d of storage. Objective 5 hay samples from Vermont, Wisconsin, and Maine are being collected for fungal community assessments. Changes/Problems:The 2022 growing season had record-breaking precipitations in the Northeast, which affected the production of hay for the project. This delayed planting but also restricted our harvest opportunities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project is currently training three graduate students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1, 3,and 6 will be conducted next growing season.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objectives 2 and 5 are currently being conducted.

Publications