Testing centre helps deliver excellence
The technology and Innovation Centre (TIZ 3) at Grieskirchen in Austria was founded in 2002 and is operated by three shareholders.
When harvesting grass silage, farmers and contractors strive to get the highest possible forage quality to increase profits.
A key influence on feed quality is the theoretical chopped length, whether by forage harvester, loader wagon or round baler.
Short-chopped forage leads to a faster pH reduction, reducing the risk of fermentation failure. And it has a positive effect on the stability of the grass silage and on livestock health and performance.
Cattle have incisors only in the lower jaw, with the upper jaw consisting of a horn plate. So they swallow grass almost without having chewed it. When grass is short chopped, the forage has a larger surface area and more energy is absorbed. And it stimulates saliva flow, which in turn has a positive effect on rumination.
The optimum chopped length is about 20 - 60mm. The higher the proportion of short particles in the segment up to 60mm, the better the performance of the ruminant
Austrian machinery maker Pöttinger says it focuses on this requirement when developing its machines. Its Impress round balers achieve a theoretical 36mm length from 32 knives, while the Torro and Jumbo loader wagons achieve a 34mm theoretical length of cut.
A recent study by the noted Austrian research institute JR Josephinum Research Wieselburg showed the distribution frequency of particle lengths with the Torro and Jumbo loader wagons is 86% at <40mm and for particle lengths of 40 – 80mm only 11%.
Sharp knives can guarantee optimum chopping quality, lower power consumption and help increase output. As the sharpness of the knives deteriorates during the working day, Pottingers’s Twinblade reversible blades can be turned without the need for tools, ensuring that the crop is presented to sharp knives during a long working day.
Optional Autocut automated sharpening on the loader wagons guarantees the knives are always sharp during operation, helping reduce power and fuel consumption by up to 20% and reducing daily maintenance by 45 minutes.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.
OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.
OPINION: The hustle and bustle of one of Bangkok's most popular fast food outlets may feel a world away from…