The present study aimed at evaluating the intensity of Tifton 85 conditioning using a mower conditioner with free-swinging flail fingers and storage times on dehydration curve, fungi presence, nutritional value and in vitro digestibility of Tifton 85 bermudagrass hay dry matter (DM). The dehydration curve was determined in the whole plant for ten times until the baling. The zero time correspond...

in this study, the performance of a fabricated fluffer was evaluated and compared with common field curing methods for alfalfa. the drying rate, baling loss and alfalfa nutrient value (dry matter and crude protein) were the criteria for evaluation. the alfalfa was cut using a mower-conditioner. a randomized complete block experimental design was used with three treatments (fluffing swathed alfa...

All harvestable cereal straw cannot be collected every year in regions where wet periods are probable during the baling season, so some Swedish studies have used ’recovery coefficients’ to estimate potential amounts. Current recovery coefficients were first formulated by researchers early 1990s, after discussions with crop advisors, but there no recent publications on available times and propor...

Alfalfa is usually wilted 15% or less moisture prior to baling for hay. However, harvesting at low moistures increases loss of leaves (protein) during baling and reduces nutritive value. In addition, long wilting times increases the risk for damage from rain. In order to retain more nutrients and prevent rain damage, hay can be baled at higher moistures but the risk of spoilage from undesirable...

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of chopping corn residue prior to baling on the nutrient composition of cornstalk bales. One dryland corn field planted with a single variety of corn was used. After harvest, one half of the field was chopped with a stalk chopper. The remaining half was not chopped. Each half of the field was then raked into windrows, baled, and wrapped with...