Intensive forage conditioning applied after mowing: Prototype development and drying experiments

摘要

The production of good quality hay and silage requires between one and several days of favourable field drying conditions, ideally with sunshine, low air humidity, and light wind. Rain, high air humidity, and overcast conditions can prolong the wilting period and cause nutrient losses by leaching, plant respiration, or mechanical damage. A novel mechanical treatment to enhance the field drying of herbage is intensive forage conditioning (IFC) referred to as maceration, superconditioning, or mat making. IFC is typically applied by shredding the fresh crop through a series of grooved steel rolls operating at differential tip speed. The macerated forage may then be compressed into a thin mat or directly deposited on the stubble as a fluffy windrow.