The aforementioned research contributes to our knowledge of DM losses from the outdoor storage using standard
agricultural hay bale technologies for harvest and storage. Hess et al. [13] indicated that DM loss during the feedstock
procurement will be an important factor influencing choice of a feedstock storage system. Thus, other innovative storage
technologies that may provide lower DM losses need to be evaluated to determine cost effective alternatives to feedstock
processed using agricultural hay equipment. Preserving feedstock using an aerobic storage environment has been
suggested as a way to reduce LCB DM losses [25,26]. Shinners et al. [25] evaluated DM losses for corn (Zea mays L.) stover stored under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. They found minimal DM losses of 0.2%e0.9% when anaerobic conditions were maintained during storage. However, storage DM losses averaged 6.1% when anaerobic conditions were not maintained during storage using sealed silo bags. Williams and Shinners [26] reported lower DM losses than found in other studies for field dried and chopped (12 mm) switchgrass and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) stored in sealed silo bags.