Final answer:
Bales of weathered hay have lower digestibility compared to unweathered bales. Weathering can also affect the amounts of NDF, ADF, and lignin present. Digestibility refers to the ability to break down and absorb nutrients from food.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bales of hay that have been weathered typically have less digestibility than unweathered bales. Digestibility refers to the ability of an organism to break down and absorb nutrients from food. When hay is weathered, it can become less nutritious and more difficult for animals to digest, resulting in lower digestibility.
Weathering can also affect the composition of hay, causing changes in the amounts of NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber), ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber), and lignin present. NDF and ADF are components of cell walls in plants, with NDF representing the total fiber content and ADF representing the less digestible fraction. Lignin is a complex organic polymer that provides structural support to plants, but it is also indigestible by animals.
Therefore, the correct answer is digestibility (a), as weathered bales of hay are likely to have lower digestibility compared to unweathered bales.