LOSS AND DRYING CHARACTERISTICS OF FORAGE RATS AFTER RAINFALL

Forage mats were made in the field with a mower-macerator prototype an d subjected to 6 mm of rainfall. Drying coefficients of mats were 111% and 71% greater than drying coefficients of conventionally conditione d windrows before and after rain, respectively. Dry matter losses were estimated on the basis of the change in acid detergent fiber concentr ation during drying. After rain, losses were equal in timothy mats and timothy windrows (8%) but were higher in alfalfa mats (20%) than in a lfalfa windrows (13%). When no rain occurred, mats had less respiratio n loss (3%) than windrows (7%).