Investigation of the Change in Nutrient Composition Level of Alfalfa Hay Cultivated in Ipekyolu District of Van Province From Harvest To Storage

Abstract

In this study, the nutrient changes of the alfalfa hay from harvesting to storage period produced in different villages of the İpekyolu District of Van was examined. 208 enterprises cultivated alfalfa was determined as the research areas and 30 enterprises were selected by stratified random sampling method. The average dry matter content of alfalfa hay harvested in Karagündüz village was 40.90 % and was higher than other villages except Ağzıkara village (P <0.05). While the average crude protein (HP) content of alfalfa hay dried in a closed environment after harvest was 15.30%, this value decreased to 12.67 % after drying in the field and to 11.82 % in storage (P <0.05). While the average Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) contents were 9.89 % at the time of alfalfa hay dried in a closed environment, this rate increased to 11.61 % during storage (P <0.05). Although the total carotene content and calcium content at the time of alfalfa hay dried in a closed environment were 140.86% and 1.66% respectively, this level decreased after drying in the field and after storage (P <0.05). Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 were not found in alfalfa hay samples during harvesting, drying and storage periods times. As a result, although some losses were observed in HP, Ca and total carotene levels of alfalfa with the harvest, not finding aflatoxin levels in feeds is seen as an important result in terms of feed quality. © 2021, Centenary University. All rights reserved.