Harvest Fractionation of Alfalfa
2007
Shinners, K.J. | Herzmann, M.E. | Binversie, B.N. | Digman, M.F.
Fractionation of alfalfa leaves and stems at harvest could allow ruminant rations to be tailored for optimum economic return or improve the viability of alfalfa as a biomass feedstock. Harvest fractionation was done by stripping the leaves from the stem at the time of harvest using a tined rotor. The stripped fraction consisted of about 90% leaf tissue, and 94% of the available leaf dry matter (DM) yield was removed in the stripped fraction. The standing fraction was either cut immediately after stripping or allowed to stand and regrow leaves for a period of 7 or 14 days. Leaf regrowth was evident in three to five days, but leaf yield was much less than that at initial stripping. The particle size of the stripped fraction was no different than chopped whole-plant alfalfa, so no further size reduction of the stripped fraction was needed before ensiling. The density of the stripped fraction was 11% greater than that of the chopped whole-plant in a drop hammer density test. The stripped fraction was successfully ensiled in mini-silos using ground corn grain as an amendment or formic acid as an additive. After cutting and windrowing, the drying rate of the standing fraction (mainly stems) was greater than that of whole-plant windrows of similar density. The standing fraction, consisting of 92% stems, dried to ensiling moisture typically within about 4 to 6 h after stripping and cutting but in as short as 1.5 h under very good drying conditions. Therefore, a single-day fractionated harvesting scheme is possible.
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