ROUND BALE ENSILAGE OF INTENSIVELY CONDITIONED FORAGE

A predominantly orchardgrass field was mowed and intensively condition ed with an experimental 2.1 m wide mower-macerator. The macerated fora ge consisted of long shredded stems and smaller detached particles mix ed in a windrow left to dry on the stubble. Macerated windrows and con ventionally conditioned forage windrows were wilted in the field for 2 4 h and harvested with a round baler at two forward speeds (3.4 and 6. 7 km/h). All bales were wrapped with plastic film. Variables measured included field drying rate, mechanical losses after baling, bale densi ty, and chemical composition at mowing, at harvest, and after 1, 4, 7, 14, and 70 d of fermentation. Macerated forage had a drying rate 39% higher over 24 h than that of conventional windrows. Field losses were similar and averaged 3.4% after mowing, maceration or conditioning, a nd baling. Bale density ranged between 122 and 147 kg DM/m(3) without a significant effect due to treatment. Bales of macerated forage had a lower pH than conventionally conditioned bales for the first four day s of fermentation. The more rapid decline of pH suggested an increased rate of fermentation of macerated forage.