The DM losses during storage for full length (PS-1) and size
reduced switchgrass (PS-3, 1.27 cm1.91 cm) were statistically
different; therefore, we compared the breakeven price of
switchgrass for these two particle sizes in Fig. 5. The area
beneath the breakeven price line in the Figure indicates that
the value of DM losses averted with size reduced material is
insufficient to cover the cost of size reduction alone for a given
price and storage period. Likewise, size reduction is considered
profitable above the breakeven price line because the
value of DM losses prevented with size reduction is sufficient
to cover the cost of size reduction. Results show that size
reduction was generally not profitable for storage periods less
than 220 days and switchgrass price was below $120 Mg1 assuming a baseline grinding cost of $8.66 Mg1. The value of
the prevented DM losses during storage with size reduction
was insufficient to cover the cost. Decreasing the grinding cost
by 25%, storing material in size reduced form would not
become profitable unless switchgrass was stored for more
than 165 days given a switchgrass price of 120 Mg1. Results
indicate that storage cover had a much larger impact on the
profitability of increased protective measures to prevent DM
losses than did particle length.