Losses during Fodder Recovery, from Swather to Baler
2008
Sauter, J., Forschungsanstalt Agroscope Reckenholz-Taenikon ART, Ettenhausen (Switzerland)
From the mowing of the fodder until the point at which it is brought into the storage facility, 10 to 20 percent of the harvested quantity is left as losses in the field. Parameters such as soil-tillage intensity, machine setting and dry-matter content of the fodder substantially influence the amount of wastage. From this, it is obvious that different swathing systems as well as their working widths also have an impact on loss percentages. In order to test this hypothesis, we carried out a comparitive measurement of the four swathing systems single rotary rake, twin rotary rake with centre delivery, twin rotary rake with side delivery, and belt rake. The trials were performed on a temporary ley (27 dt DM per ha) in the second cut with a DM content of 75 percent. All of the rakes were operated at the same working speed of 6.2 km per h, as well as the same PTO shaft speed. With all four variants, between 10 and 20 percent of the mowings remained on the field. System-related differences between the individual systems could not be proven. Losses also occur during fodder recovery. These are clearly noticeable during bale formation. In practice, it is largely belt, roller and bar-chain balers that are used. A comparative study showed losses to be small, at 0.5 to 2.6 percent of the harvest.
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