Further research on the impacts of new storage technologies
such as BT3 on storage DM losses is needed. Also, analysis
on the cost of the storage technology that compares the value of the feedstock saved by reducing DM losses with the costs of protection provided by the technology is important to the industries
utilizing the LCB. This research particularly focused
on the relationship between the storage DM losses of LCB and
two factors in the BT3 storage technology: i) particle size of
feedstock and ii) bale wrap method. Chaoui and Eckhoff [24]
hypothesized that particle size of feedstock in storage may
influence the level of storage DM losses. They posited that
larger particle sizes were more desirable for outdoor storage
than smaller particle sizes because the smaller particle sizes
were more likely to be eroded due to wind or rain. Currently,
there is a lack of empirical studies that evaluate the effects of
particle size on storage DM losses for LCB feedstock. In addition,
the aerobic and anaerobic storage environment resulting
from different packaging/wrap materials affects DM losses
during storage [25,26]. Anaerobic storage of LCB may reduce
storageDM losses relative to aerobic storage methods but may
be more costly to implement. The optimal storage method for
LCB feedstock considering particle size and storage wrap (e.g.,
aerobic or anaerobic) should consider the trade-offs in the
value of foregone storage DM losses with more protection and
the cost of protective inputs [15].