Fodder Preparation Research Articles

A pilot study of traditional indoor biomass cooking and heating in rural Bhutan: gas and particle concentrations and emission rates.

Although many studies have reported the health effects of biomass fuels in developing countries, relatively few have quantitatively characterized emissions from biomass stoves during cooking and heating. The aim of this pilot study was to characterize the emission characteristics of different biomass stoves in four rural houses in Bhutan during heating (metal chimney stove), rice cooking (traditional mud stove), fodder preparation (stone tripod stove), and liquor distillation (traditional mud stove). Three stage measurements (before, during, and after the activity had ceased) were conducted for PM2.5 , particle number (PN), CO, and CO2 . When stoves were operated, the pollutant concentrations were significantly elevated above background levels, by an average of 40 and 18 times for PM2.5 and CO, respectively. Emission rates (mg/min) ranged from 1.07×102 (PM2.5 ) and 3.50×102 (CO) for the stone tripod stove during fodder preparation to 6.20×102 (PM2.5 ) and 2.22×103 (CO) for the traditional mud stove during liquor distillation. Usable PN data were only available for one house, during heating using a metal chimney stove, which presented an emission rate of 3.24×1013 particles/min. Interventions to control household air pollution in Bhutan, in order to reduce the health risks associated with cooking and heating, are recommended.

Production and usage efficiency estimation of expanded mixed fodders

As a result of Union State (Russia and Byelorussia) program conducting “Progressive resource-saving eco-friendly technologies and equipment for biologically completed mixed fodders development” innovative technology for mixed fodders expanding, including following basic operations: air-conditioning of grain-shaped mixed fodders; expanding of steamed mix; granulation of expanded mixed fodders; cooling of expanded mixed fodders; crushing of cooled expanded mixed fodders; classification of crush products or granules was developed. Production line for expanded mixed fodder of grain shape, granulated and small granules was developed. Efficiency of use of mixed fodders for chickens has shown the raised yield of meat for chickens of 3rd group (69.5%) in comparison with blank and 4th group (67.6 and 67.3%). Besides, chickens of 2nd group had the greatest weight of internal fat (34.2 g) in comparison with other groups. The analysis of the data on eggs-laying of hens-layers shows that eggs-laying of hens for the experimental period was in groups 61.1–66.6 eggs per 1 hen and depended on technology of mixed fodder preparation. However specified indicator was the highest for hens of the fourth group receiving small granules, and it was 9% above the blank group. At feeding expanded mixed fodders and small granules to hens-layers eggs-laying for 90 days of the registration period was 63.6–66.6 eggs, intensity of eggs-laying was 84.8–88.8%, the yield of egg weight was 4.2–4.4 kg at an expense of a forage for 10 eggs of 1.64–1.71 kg and 1 kg of egg weight of 2.53–2.57 kg. The conducted calculation of economic benefit of manufacture and use of expanded mixed fodders with application to growing of broilers was 4 512 900 rub.

RECOMBINANT THERMOTOLERANT PHYTASE PRODUCED IN E.COLI

Abstract: Phytic acid (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate) and its salts (phytates) are the major storage form of phosphorus in plants. Monogastric animals including hogs, poultry, and fish cannot utilize phytates as a source of phosphorus unless they are enzymatically destroyed with exogenous enzyme—phytase. Phytases are added to fodder in ever increasing dosage to improve utilization of plant-derived phosphorus because this reduces dependence of farms on inorganic fodder phosphates. Because of technological considerations, feed phytases have to withstand elevated temperatures (60-80°C), which are used during preparation of fodder. Enzymatic feed additives are becominutesg of high demand in Kazakhstan, and development of domestic technologies for production of agricultural enzymes is an ongoing challenge to the country’s biotechnology.Objectives: To develop a system for recombinant expression of industrially important thermotolerantphytase and confirm activity and thermal stability of the recombinantly expressed enzyme.Methods: De novo gene synthesis, expression of 6xHis-tagged protein in E.coli, immobilized metal affinity chouromatography, biochemical tests for activities of phosphatase and phytase.Results: Thermotolerantphytase was produced in E.coli using recombinant expression system. The obtained enzyme had phosphatise activity (hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl phosphate) and phytase activity (hydrolyzed sodium phytate). The recombinant phytase tolerated increase of incubation temperature up to 70°C and demonstrated increase in activity towards phytate with increase in the reaction temperature in the range 30°C-70°C.Conclusion: Described gene and expression system have prospects of utilization in development of pilot industrial production of phytase in the country.

Agro-ecological study of forage productivity of some annual untraditional drought-resistant fodder species for foothill regions in Central Balkan Mountains (Bulgaria)

Comparative testing of some annual untraditional drought-resistant cereal (foxtail millet and true millet) and legume crops (bitter vetch and chickpea) was conducted during 2011-2013 in the Research Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agriculture (RIMSA) in Troyan (Bulgaria). The largest part of the forage yields had the stems in comparison with leaves and inflorescences. The chickpea had more green mass (12.82 t ha-1) and dry mass (3.27 t ha-1) yields than bitter vetch ? respectively by 18.46% and 18.48%. Regarding the cereal crops it turned out that the true millet had more yields (12.98 t ha-1 green mass and 3.32 t ha-1 dry matter) than the foxtail millet (respectively 16.80% and 11.14%). Judging from the factual data it can be considered that the forage species studied in details are suitable for ecological fodder preparation in foothill regions of the Central Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria.

Development of safer fodder-cutter machines: a case study from north India

Fodder-cutter machines are used everyday by farmers and their families in India for preparation of fodder for the livestock they own. An epidemiological study done in north India showed that all age groups sustain fodder-cutter injuries while operating the machine. More than 45 and 64% of the victims were children below 15 years of age in Phase I and II. The injuries led to a large number of limb amputations [43 cases (80%)] among the persons operating the machine or playing with the machine taking treatments in the study area hospitals. A detailed study of injuries and machine characteristics resulted in a safer fodder-cutter design. The design changes are cost effective and can be incorporated,in both existing and new fodder-cutter machines. This paper reports the process of the community-based study and the safer design features of fodder-cutter machine.