Graded concentrations of soybean hull pellets (SHP) fed to calves consuming annual ryegrass baleage was evaluated in two experiments. Experiment one evaluated performance and serum glucose of animals fed three treatments. Treatments were: 0.0% (TRT 0), 0.5% (TRT 0.5), 1.0% (TRT 1) body weight (BW) of SHP fed daily while calves had ad libitum access to baleage. Average daily gain and BW increased for calves receiving TRT 1 (P < 0.05). Experiment two evaluated passage rate of treatments using ytterbium chloride as a marker. Passage rate of diet decreased for TRT 1 compared to TRT 0 (10.9 h vs. 16.72 h TRT 1 and TRT 0 respectively, P < 0.05). Calves receiving TRT 0.5 had greater ADG than calves fed TRT 0 (0.54 kg/d and 0.30 kg/d respectively; P < 0.05). Diet passage rate decreased as supplement amount increased (P < 0.05). Serum glucose concentrations were not affected.

Third-cutting alfalfa hay harvested at bud stage in each of 2 yrs, treated with a live bacterial incoulant, packed in polyethylene-bonded bags and allowed to ensile. In both years, treated haylage had a lower pH, and a period effect was found for pH and mold count, regardless of treatment. In year 1, there was a period effect found for acid detergent fiber. In year 2, mean lactic-acid-producing bacteria numbers (log 10) were significantly higher for treated haylage (9.69 and 10.36) for control and treated haylage, respectively). Regardless of treatment, lactic-acid-producing bacteria numbers and water soluble carbohydrates significantly declined through time. For both years, treated haylage was fed to early-lactating dairy cows at 60% of the ration dry matter. In year 1, lactating cows were fed treated haylage for a 10-wk period, and no differences were observed in milk production performance or dry matter intake over cows fed untreated haylage. In year 2, cows were fed for a 6-wk period, and no differences were detected between treatments for milk production, milk composition, or dry matter intake.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2009. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Pellets from haylage, respectively hay were extruded in an extruder working with a high temperature according to the utility model CZ 21314 with different parameters. The researched parameters of extrusion with a constant time delay were a pressure extrusion and volatile solids. The highest production of methane (CH4) at a fermentation with the temperature 40 °C was monitored from the haylage with a content of the volatile solids 10,6 - 11 % by extrusion with the pressure 1,37 MPa. The highest production of CH4 at a fermentation with the temperature 50 °C was monitored from the haylage with a content of the volatile solids 13,5 - 16,7 % by extrusion with the pressure 1,37 - 1,66 MPa. A kontent of the volatile solids 11,5 % of haylage and extrusion with the pressure 1,35 ? 1,4 were estimated like optimum parameters for a fermentation with the temperature 40 - 50 °C with the highest production of CH4. For evaluation of the effectiveness of investment was used the metod of net present value (NPV). This method is the most commonly used and in most cases the most appropriate.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

This Diploma Theses focuses on the assessment of two pick-up balers which compress crop into compact bales. The balers are made and delivered by different manufacturers with a variable bale chamber and cutting mode at the moment of haylage, hay and straw harvesting. Specifically, the given assessment compared John Deere 960 Baler and Kuhn VB 2160 Baler while considering the following parameters: quality of cutting, bale density, haylage, capacity and performance, economic analysis and recommendation for their use in agriculture. John Deere 960 Baler achieved better results in the majority of performed tests. The values of bale density were the following: 666.25 kg.m-3 (haylage), 221.39 kg.m-3 (hay), 176.62 kg.m-3 (straw). The assessment of haylage quality was excellent. The given baler (JD 960) also excelled at harvesting capacities: 20.89 t.h-1 (haylage), 15.61 t.h-1 (hay) and 12.54 t.h-1 (straw). Baling costs per 1 kilogram of forage revealed the following figures: 0.036 CZK (haylage), 0.079 CZK (hay) and 0.101 CZK (straw). Costs assessment for practical use of both balers per operating year indicates that the JD 960 Baler´s use is more cost effective by 1,320 CZK per 100 hectares (haylage), by 2,690 CZK (hay) and by 6,000 CZK (straw) in comparison with Kuhn VB 2160 Baler. As a consequence, the use and operation of John Deere 960 Baler can be recommended to large-sized companies with a sufficient amount of financial resources which can be invested in purchase of the given machinery. The baler is suitable for large areas with the demanding seasonal harvesting. On the other hand, Kuhn VB 2160 Baler did not show such an impressive result as JD 960 Baler. However, its use and operation is recommended to small or medium-sized agricultural companies which can appreciate the baler´s performance especially during hay and straw harvesting.