Automatic feeding system: evaluation of energy consumption and labour requirement in north-east Italy dairy farm
2016
Pezzuolo, A., University of Padova (Italy) | Chiumenti, A., University of Udine (Italy) | Sartori, L., University of Padova (Italy) | Da Borso, F., University of Udine (Italy)
The present research was focused on monitoring of a dairy farm, located in the Veneto region of Italy, during the transition from a conventional feeding system (CFS), represented by a tractor- operated mixing wagon, to an automatic system equipped with stationary feeding hoppers, a mixing unit and distribution wagon operating on rail. The paper reports a comparative analysis of the functionality of the two systems, including energy consumption and man labour, for preparation and distribution of the TMR. Despite the initial capital investment and maintenance, expenditures have not been taken into account in this study, AFS represent an innovative way to reduce the labour requirements and the improve quality and consistency of work when feeding TMR. In particular, labour was reduced from 2.5 h•dayE-1 related to the CFS to 1.02 h•dayE-1 needed for the management of the AFS. The AFS also demonstrated, to be of interest, with regard to an economic point of view, reducing the costs for preparation and distribution of the TMR. The CFS, in fact, showed a cost of 1.44 EUR•m-3 and 0.16 EUR•cowE-1 per day, and the consumption of energy of 24.66 kWh•mE-3 and 2.74 kWh•cowE-1 per day, while the AFS revealed a cost of 0.91 EUR•mE-3 of TMR and 0.10 EUR•cowE-1 per day, and the specific energy consumption of 6.81 kWh•mE-3 of TMR and 0.76 kWh•cowE-1 per day.
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