Different mechanization practices are included in the drying process, which is among the methods (ensiling, drying, storing at high moisture level, etc.) used in the preservation of roughage, which has an important place in the nutrition of ruminant animals. Haymaking processes are applied by natural (at the field) or artificial drying methods (in warehouses and special dryers). During drying, the hay may be loose or loosely baled. The machines that can be used in various stages of haymaking from harvesting forage to filling the warehouse can be listed as strimmers, crushers, windrow harvesters, hay rakes, loose forage harvesters, balers, bale collecting and transporting machines. These mechanization practices have positive and negative aspects relative to each other. In other words, these mechanization practices affect hay quality at different levels. In this study, different mechanization practices applied in hay drying and the effects of these mechanization practices on hay quality were emphasized.

This study compared the forage quality of Cajanus cajan, Stylosanthes mucronata, Tephrosia purpurea, and Securinega virosa in the savanna ecological zone of Ghana. The shrubs were cultivated using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and their growth were monitored. Leaf samples were hand-harvested at 7, 10, and 13 weeks after establishment, air-dried, pulverised, and used for laboratory analysis. Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg) were determined. N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents among the shrubs ranged from 0.74 - 0.79%, 1.32 - 1.99%, 7.63 - 10.09%, 2.22 - 3.06 and 1.08 - 1.38%, respectively. Stylosanthes mucronata was significantly lowest in both P (1.318%) and K (7.63%), whilst Securinega virosa was significantly highest in K (10.09%). Among the three maturity levels, N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents ranged from 0.31 – 1.05%, 1.51 - 1.93%, 7.46 - 10.43%, 2.63 - 2.67% and 1.28 - 1.30%, respectively. Except for P, which was significantly lowest at 10 weeks after establishment (WAE), N and K were significantly highest at 7 WAE and lowest at 10 and 13 WAE, respectively. It was observed that the shrub species and maturity levels influence the nutrient content of forage shrubs.

This study was carried out to assess feed resources mineral composition and utilization of mineral soil in the Haramaya district of the East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. The survey data was collected from four kebeles using a semi-structured questionnaire from 80 respondents (20 from each kebele) selected randomly. Two natural pasture samples across the wet and dry seasons were collected using a quadrant from each season. Two maize and sorghum stover samples were collected for analysis at the end of harvesting seasons. Two mineral soil samples were collected from Lake Adelle and Small Abaya. Table salt (50%), mineral water (30%), and mineral soil (20%) were used as mineral supplements for livestock. Farmers obtain mineral soil from the licking area of the mineral soil and feed animals by hiking them in the licking area and taking the mineral soil into the home. Maize stover was deficient in Ca, P, Na, Zn, and Cu, while sorghum stover was deficient in P, Na, Mg, and Cu. During the wet season, natural pasture consists of higher (p<0.05) P, K, Cu, Zn, and Mn while Ca and Fe were higher (p<0.05) in the dry season. During wet and dry seasons, the Ca, P, Na, Mg, and K content were 14.53 vs 20.47, 1.51 vs 0.82, 0.38 vs 0.45, 4.01 vs 3.84, and 16.50 vs 6.40 g/kg, respectively. The Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn contents were 365.14 vs 415.22, 477.78 vs 336.11, 8.48 vs 7.38 and 42.74 vs 16.94 mg/kg in wet and dry seasons, respectively. The mineral soil of both lakes was deficient in P and K, but high in Na and Fe. Supplementation of animals with deficient minerals in their feed is necessary in the study area and the mineral soil can be used as a mineral supplement for ruminants. However, an extension service is essential to improve mineral soil utilization in the study area.

This study was carried out to assess feed resources mineral composition and utilization of mineral soil in the Haramaya district of the East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. The survey data was collected from four kebeles using a semi-structured questionnaire from 80 respondents (20 from each kebele) selected randomly. Two natural pasture samples across the wet and dry seasons were collected using a quadrant from each season. Two maize and sorghum stover samples were collected for analysis at the end of harvesting seasons. Two mineral soil samples were collected from Lake Adelle and Small Abaya. Table salt (50%), mineral water (30%), and mineral soil (20%) were used as mineral supplements for livestock. Farmers obtain mineral soil from the licking area of the mineral soil and feed animals by hiking them in the licking area and taking the mineral soil into the home. Maize stover was deficient in Ca, P, Na, Zn, and Cu, while sorghum stover was deficient in P, Na, Mg, and Cu. During the wet season, natural pasture consists of higher (p<0.05) P, K, Cu, Zn, and Mn while Ca and Fe were higher (p<0.05) in the dry season. During wet and dry seasons, the Ca, P, Na, Mg, and K content were 14.53 vs 20.47, 1.51 vs 0.82, 0.38 vs 0.45, 4.01 vs 3.84, and 16.50 vs 6.40 g/kg, respectively. The Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn contents were 365.14 vs 415.22, 477.78 vs 336.11, 8.48 vs 7.38 and 42.74 vs 16.94 mg/kg in wet and dry seasons, respectively. The mineral soil of both lakes was deficient in P and K, but high in Na and Fe. Supplementation of animals with deficient minerals in their feed is necessary in the study area and the mineral soil can be used as a mineral supplement for ruminants. However, an extension service is essential to improve mineral soil utilization in the study area.

This study compared the forage quality of Cajanus cajan, Stylosanthes mucronata, Tephrosia purpurea, and Securinega virosa in the savanna ecological zone of Ghana. The shrubs were cultivated using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and their growth were monitored. Leaf samples were hand-harvested at 7, 10, and 13 weeks after establishment, air-dried, pulverised, and used for laboratory analysis. Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg) were determined. N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents among the shrubs ranged from 0.74 - 0.79%, 1.32 - 1.99%, 7.63 - 10.09%, 2.22 - 3.06 and 1.08 - 1.38%, respectively. Stylosanthes mucronata was significantly lowest in both P (1.318%) and K (7.63%), whilst Securinega virosa was significantly highest in K (10.09%). Among the three maturity levels, N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents ranged from 0.31 – 1.05%, 1.51 - 1.93%, 7.46 - 10.43%, 2.63 - 2.67% and 1.28 - 1.30%, respectively. Except for P, which was significantly lowest at 10 weeks after establishment (WAE), N and K were significantly highest at 7 WAE and lowest at 10 and 13 WAE, respectively. It was observed that the shrub species and maturity levels influence the nutrient content of forage shrubs.