El presente estudio de pre-factibilidad está orientado a la instalación de una planta productora de pellets de heno de alfalfa, localizada en la ciudad de Lima-Perú. Éste estudio es relevante como proyecto de investigación en ingeniería industrial porque integra y relaciona todos los elementos que constituyen un sistema o proceso: personas, tecnología, máquinas, materiales e información, con el fin de optimizar tanto el rendimiento como la calidad de producción del sector industrial de alimentos balanceados para animales pecuarios. Ello permitirá reducir sus costos de producción respetando los factores medioambientales para de un adecuado desarrollo sostenible. / Trabajo de investigación

Three palatability and digestion trials were conducted with six Arabian geldings fed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), endophyte-free tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa caucasica (Trin.) C.E. Hubbard) as hay to determine nutritional value of the hays for horses at maintenance in a Latin Square designed experiment. Alfalfa had higher (P < .01) dry matter digestibility, and voluntary intake, compared to grasses. Tall fescue and Caucasian bluestem did not differ in dry matter digestibility and voluntary intake. Feeding alfalfa resulted in higher (P < .05) intake and digestibility of CP and higher (P < .05) apparent absorption of Ca, P, K, and S, compared to the grass hays. Tall fescue was higher (P < .01) in CP concentration and digestibility, total nonstructural carbohydrate concentration, and apparent absorption of Mg and S, compared to Caucasian bluestem. Caucasian bluestem was higher (P < .05) in Zn compared to tall fescue. At the end of the palatability trials, horses fed alfalfa had higher serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen, vitamin A, and serum P, S, and Cu, compared to horses fed grasses. Serum Zn was higher (P < .05) and Se tended to be higher (P < .06) in horses fed Caucasian bluestem, compared to tall fescue. All forages were below the recommended dietary Cu and P concentration but only Caucasian bluestem resulted in negative apparent P absorption. Caucasian bluestem would meet most nutrient requirements for horses at maintenance. Alfalfa supplied more crude protein, Ca, Mg, and K than was required by horses at maintenance. / Master of Science

Experiments were initiated to design and construct a respiratory apparatus for equine based on the indirect, open circuit method of calorimetry. The face mask, of light plexiglass, fit over the muzzle of the animal and was secured to the head, via a modified halter. Six one-way rubber inhalation valves were located along the lower portion of the mask permitting the animal to inspire atmospheric air. Four one-way rubber exhalation valves were situated in the false bottom of the mask. When the animal expired, the inhalation valves were forced shut and the exhalation valves were forced open, thus channeling the expired gas out of the mask. A series of flow meters, pumps, drying columns and storage containers were connected to the mask. Aliquots of expired gases were taken and analyzed for carbon dioxide and oxygen content to determine RQ and to calculate heat production values. All values were recorded at standard temperature, pressure and density. Three different diets were fed to equine in an attempt to alter the RQ: two ponies were first fed alfalfa-grass hay (Diet 1), then cracked corn and hay (Diet 2) was fed to 3 ponies and finally a commercial 18% protein grain mix and hay (Diet 3) was fed to the 3 ponies. Consumption problems occurred on some diets. Mean RQ's were .995 for Diet 1, 1.08 for Diet 2 and .956 for Diet 3. Mean heat production values were 2133.04, 2030.00 and 1727.23 kcal/kg feed/day for the alfalfa-grass hay, cracked corn and alfalfa grass-hay diet, and commercial grain mix and alfalfa-grass hay diet, respectively. / M.S.