Forage Harvester Research Articles

Principles of Forming Machine and Technology Systems for Integrated Mechanization and Automation of Technological Processes in Crop Production

It is noted that the urgent need for improving the country's food supply, expanding the range of field crop cultivation led to the shift from the development of single machines to creating machine systems, that is, complexes of well-balanced, coordinated integrated technologies and technical means. (Research purpose) To determine the principles of forming a machine and technology system, that reflect the state and development of mechanized and automated processes of agricultural production in certain periods of the country economy development. (Materials and methods) It is found out that for achieving this goal, it was necessary to fundamentally change the approach to creating new machines and equipment, to shift from the segmental development of single, unrelated machines to creating technical complexes, well-balanced and coordinated technically and technologically, and able to perform full cycles of work on cultivating a wide range of crops, in other words, to start creating Machine Systems. (Results and discussion) It is identified that during the implementation of the Machine Systems, there were created effective complexes of agricultural machinery in our country: high-speed arable and tilled tractors of various classes, self-propelled grain and forage harvesters, and other important types of agricultural machines. (Conclusions) It is proved that the continuously developing scientific and technical potential ensured the solution of major national economic problems, including the creation of Machine Systems. It is established that as the Machine Systems evolved, priority was given to improving reliability, safety, energy and resource saving, power/weight ratio, expanding functionality, multiplicativity, improving operators’ working conditions, quality of work, unifying components, and further increasing productivity.

Weed community shifts during the aging of perennial intermediate wheatgrass crops harvested for grain in arable fields

The development of a perennial grain offers opportunities to diversify annual crop rotations, with potential benefits in terms of soil protection. Perennials could also reduce weed development over time through year-round soil cover and longer growing seasons. However, whether weeds would actually decrease remains mainly theoretical, with field data on perennial grains remaining sparse. Qualitative changes might also have an effect, because disturbance and modifications to resource regimes drive shifts in weed communities. Here, we analyzed weed abundance, composition, and traits in three arable fields containing perennial grain over a 4-year period. Specifically, intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) perennial grain (Kernza) was cultivated. IWG grain production was maximal during the first and second growing seasons (899 and 854 kg.ha-1 respectively), with total biomass production peaking in the second year (mean: 11.9 t DM.ha-1). However, reproductive effort noticeably dropped in the third and fourth years. Weed biomass also gradually reduced during the fall of all years (mean: ∼0.4–∼0.03 t DM.ha-1), but remained constant in spring (mean: 1–2 t DM.ha-1). During spring, the community composition of weeds shifted from broadleaves to grass species and, to a lesser extent, from annuals to perennials, with weed species having an earlier phenology than IWG. Thus, relative fitness appeared to be the strongest driver of weed community composition in aging IWG stands. Weed species richness systematically declined over the years. Specific leaf area, height, light, and nitrogen requirement index of weed communities provided poor descriptors of community shifts; however, all weed species with high light requirements were excluded from aging IWG stands. IWG capacity to compete with weeds might have been undermined by its late growing cycle, absence of forage harvest during the growing season, and substantial initial weed development during establishment (first year of growth). Thus, before IWG establishment, initial site conditions and land use history should be considered to implement the best management strategies for each field. Important weed development in perennial grain fields could lead to high weeding requirement, either mechanical or chemical, in conflict with the initial principle of increasing sustainability and reducing inputs.

О ВЫБОРЕ СОВРЕМЕННОГО КОНСТРУКЦИОННОГО МЕТАЛЛИЧЕСКОГО МАТЕРИАЛА ДЛЯ МЕХАНИЧЕСКИХ СИСТЕМ ОТВЕТСТВЕННОГО НАЗНАЧЕНИЯ. ЧАСТЬ 2

It is shown that when solving the problems of assurance of quality, reliability, competitiveness of high-duty mechanical systems, metal and a complex of its mechanical and service properties are of fundamental importance. Steel cast iron MONICA (Mo–Ni–Cu) (patent BY, no. 15617) exhibits an unconventional and unique ability to lose brittleness (increase viscosity) with increasing strength. In terms of service properties, it is not inferior to alloyed heat-strengthened steels. This makes it possible to recommend it for the manufacture of many and various highly loaded parts and assemblies of modern technology. The article provides several examples of the effective use of MONICA for the manufacture of cast knives for cutting and chopping devices of forage harvesters (Hi-Tech), large-sized gear wheels with a diameter of 500 mm for final drives of agricultural combines (know-how), as well as experimental cast rails for railway transport (Hi-Tech). A complex of laboratory and full-scale tests has convincingly proved that one brand of the new structural material fully provides the required operational reliability of many and different tribo-fatigue systems, the performance of which is determined by many and different criteria (fatigue, wear, friction, crack resistance, etc.) under the action of high repetitive variables and shock-cyclic loads. This determines the unconditional efficiency and competitiveness of critical mechanical systems (tribo-fatigue systems) for modern machines and equipment.

Model and algorithmic support for forecasting and planning the forage harvesting process

Model and algorithmic support for forecasting and planning the forage harvesting process

Assessing kernel processing score of harvested corn silage in real-time using image analysis and machine learning

Whole Plant Corn Silage (WPCS), produced by Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters (SPFH), is among the most common dietary ingredients for dairy cows. Kernel processor settings at harvest can impact WPCS quality and milk production. Having the capability to monitor machine performance and WPCS quality during harvest would allow farmers, nutritionists, and custom harvesters to optimize feed quality as the WPCS enters storage. A real-time quality assessment system was developed - a device to acquire images of chopped and processed silage moving through the spout of a SPFH and an image analysis algorithm to estimate the Kernel Processing Score (KPS) given a set of images. The system represents automation of the quality assessment process and could be incorporated in a real-time machine parameter tuning system. An initial experiment of corn particle detection in high-resolution images of stationary WPCS resulted in good detection performance (precision of 0.7381, recall of 0.9624, and intersection-over-union of 0.7104) but exposed inadequacies in the image labeling procedure and was not able to accurately estimate KPS. An improved camera system was designed and consisted of specialized exposure components to capture images at 121 frames per second. This system was able to acquire pictures silage moving at a rate of 36.9 m s−1. The KPS estimation was done offline and occurred in two steps: whole undamaged kernels were counted in a set of 1,000 images using machine learning; KPS was then estimated using a linear regression model previously obtained with the comparison between mechanical sieving KPS and number of kernels per image (r(38) = 0.967, p < 0.0001). A comparison between the estimated score to mechanically sieved KPS showed high correlation (r(38) = 0.977, p < 0.0001) and standard error of 2.71 %. Considering the computing power of high-end GPUs, the method is restrained by its current image acquisition rate, that results in one estimate in <10 s.

Morphological Characters, Dry Matter Production, and Nutritional Quality of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) as Influenced by Genotype and Environment

Cowpea is an important grain legume crop used as feed for livestock, and its dry beans provide protein. Consequently, the objective of this study was to evaluate selected cowpea genotypes for herbage dry matter yield and nutritional quality in two agro-ecologies of the Benishangul-Gumuz region. The study was conducted at Kamashi and Assosa forages research stations of Assosa Agricultural Research Center, and the sites were purposively selected to represent lowland and midland agro-ecologies, respectively. Four cowpeas’ accessions (V. Unguiculata ILRI-11114, ILRI-12688, ILRI-12713, and ILRI-9333) and one check (Melka (ILRI-9334) as a check) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Herbage dry matter yield, plant height at forage harvesting, and days to maturity were significantly affected by location (L). Longer plant heights, shorter days to maturity, and higher dry matter yield (P&lt;0.001) were recorded at Kamashi than at Assosa. Herbage dry matter yield was significantlyP&lt;0.05affected by year (Y), Y∗L (Y and L interaction), G∗L∗Y (genotype (G), L and Y interaction), and G∗L. Hebage dry matter yield was similar between years at Assosa, whereas at Kamashi significantly (P&lt;0.001) different and more yields were obtained in 2015. The genotypes did not differ in nutritional quality parameters such as ash, acid detergent fibre, crude protein, and organic matter digestibility (P&gt;0.05). However, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced by genotype. Thus, from the present study, it can be recommended that cowpea genotypes ILRI-12688 are suitable for Assosa and ILRI-11114 to Kamashi areas in terms of biomass production.

The frequency of spring harvest and row distance affect the seed and forage production of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under irrigated Mediterranean conditions

Aim of study: The effect of the number of spring harvests (1 or 2) for forage before letting alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grow for seed, combined with three different row distances, on seed production was evaluated over a three-year period. Area of study: Irrigated Mediterranean environment (NE Spain). Material and methods: Seed yield, forage production and seed weight were evaluated, as well as final plant stands and the economic implications of different decisions. Main results: The study revealed significant differences (p &lt; 0.01) in seed yield between the number of forage harvests prior to letting the crop grow for seed in two of the three years of the study, with an overall average of 500 kg ha-1 for one spring harvest and 450 kg ha-1 for two spring harvests, but with significant differences associated with row distance in two of the three years. The average annual production of forage was 8.08 Mg of dry matter (DM) ha-1 for the case of two spring harvests and 7.57 Mg for one, with significant differences in one of the three years. Row distances of 20, 40 and 60 cm did not significantly affect forage DM production although, on average, higher forage yields were achieved with narrow row distances. From an economic point of view, our results suggest that the 1-harvest treatment before letting alfalfa grow for seed is slightly more profitable than the 2-harvest treatment (higher gross margin of about 54.5 € ha-1). Research highlights: Under irrigated Mediterranean conditions, alfalfa harvested only once in spring before letting the crop grow for seed production maximizes the gross margin.

Morphological Characteristics and Nutritional Quality of Mutant Benggala Grass (Panicum maximum cv Purple Guinea) Generation M1V3

This study aims to observe morphological characters and genetic parameters of Benggala grass and its nutritional quality. Research on morphological characters was conducted at the Regional Technical Executive Unit (UPTD) of Tenjo dry land, using a randomized block design with 5 replications. The parents of the M1V3 mutant were from Benggala grass cv Purple guinea from the germplasm collection of the Indonesian Research Institute of Animal Production (Balitnak). The M1V3 plants were derived from 2400 M1V1 plants sorted to 250 M1V2 plants, and finally to 29 M1V3 plants. There were 29 plants planted on the experimental field using pols and control plants. Morphological observations and forage harvests were conducted at harvest/cutting ages 2 and 3 months after planting. Each harvest age was analyzed respectively. Forage quality observations were carried out at the RIAP Laboratory. The results showed that at the ages of 2 and 3 months, almost all characters were significantly different (p<0.05) in each genotype and several mutants of Benggala grass were higher than controls. Broad categorical genetic parameters were found in the characters of fresh weight, fresh weight of leaves, and fresh weight of tillers. Nutritional quality shows that irradiated plants have good nutritional quality because the value of crude protein and digestibility increases, while the value of crude fiber decreases compared to the control plant. In conclusion, the characterization of the M1V3 generation showed high-yielding mutants that were higher than the control and this M1V3 generation could be used as candidates for high-yielding varieties of Benggala grass.

Impact of Cutting Units’ Design on Biomass Cutting Resistance

Abstract The paper presents mathematical models describing the moments of resistance to cutting on the cutting drum shafts in the biomass cutting process. The mathematical procedures described in the paper have been verified on a test stand developed and constructed by the authors, which reflects real conditions of the process of cutting plant material into pieces of specified lengths. Experimental verification proved that the developed mathematical models are adequate for drums of both cylindrical and conical constructions. The value of the average error did not exceed 13%. Following the mathematical elaboration and verification studies, the authors carried out calculations for machines currently available on the market that are equipped with drum cutting units. The calculations were carried out for the most commonly cut material, i.e. for maize, straw and green plant materials. The obtained results confirm the complexity of the problem arising from a wide range of numerical values of cutting resistance, which is contained in the range of 400–1,800 nm. The compiled database can be practically applied in the selection of machines for specific field works, and the mathematical models developed and verified in the study can be applied at the stage of designing new designs of cutting drums used in forage harvesters.

О ВЫБОРЕ СОВРЕМЕННОГО КОНСТРУКЦИОННОГО МЕТАЛЛИЧЕСКОГО МАТЕРИАЛА ДЛЯ МЕХАНИЧЕСКИХ СИСТЕМ ОТВЕТСТВЕННОГО НАЗНАЧЕНИЯ. ЧАСТЬ 1

It is shown that when solving the problems of assurance of quality, reliability, competitiveness of high-duty mechanical systems, metal and a complex of its mechanical and service properties are of fundamental importance. Steel cast iron MONICA (Mo–Ni–Cu) (patent BY, no. 15617) exhibits an unconventional and unique ability to lose brittleness (increase viscosity) with increasing strength. In terms of service properties, it is not inferior to alloyed heat-strengthened steels. This makes it possible to recommend it for the manufacture of various highly loaded parts and assemblies of modern technology. The article provides several examples of the effective use of MONICA for the manufacture of cast knives for cutting and chopping devices of forage harvesters (Hi-Tech), large-sized gear wheels with a diameter of 500 mm for final drives of agricultural combines (know-how), as well as experimental cast rails for railway transport (Hi-Tech). A complex of laboratory and full-scale tests has convincingly proved that one brand of a new structural material fully provides the required operational reliability of many and different tribo-fatigue systems, the performance of which is determined by many criteria (fatigue, wear, friction, crack resistance) under the action of high repetitive variables and shock-cyclic loads. This determines the unconditional efficiency and competitiveness of critical mechanical systems (tribo-fatigue systems) for modern machines and equipment.

Rational location of the network of base service points for maintenance and repair of grain and forage harvesters

An analysis of the indicators of the efficiency of use and reliability of modern domestic grain and forage harvesters, consumer requirements for equipment and its maintenance indicates the need for an integrated approach to improving the level of organization of regional technical service of agricultural equipment through methods of optimizing traffic flows.Based on the research of domestic and Russian scientists, a two-level system of technical service for grain and forage harvesters was proposed by creating a network of support service points at regional dealerships.

Growing season carbon dynamics differ in intermediate wheatgrass monoculture versus biculture with red clover

Perennial crops can improve the ecological and economic sustainability of agroecosystems because of their potential to provide diverse ecosystem services including carbon storage. Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG; Thinopyrum intermedium) is a stress-tolerant grain and forage species that can be grown in bicultures with legumes for symbiotic nitrogen fixation that provide additional ecosystem services but also compete with IWG for resources and may diminish field-scale carbon uptake. An eddy covariance (EC) tower was installed in December 2018 in an IWG field in Wisconsin – in which half of the field was frost seeded with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) – to investigate how perennial grain bicultures and monocultures differ in carbon accumulation compared to monocultures. Using a combination of spatially-partitioned carbon and energy fluxes, collected biomass samples, and harvest and manure estimates, we found that IWG monocultures were larger carbon sinks (–538 to –580 g C m−2 yr−1) compared to bicultures (–458 to –520 g C m−2 yr−1), due to greater photosynthetic activity during the growing season and following harvests in August each year. In contrast, evapotranspiration rates were greater in bicultures compared to monocultures (by 0.3–1.4 kg H2O m−2 day−1), specifically during summer. Grain and forage harvest resulted in carbon loss which was not recovered until 30 days post-harvest. Carbon loss was greater for bicultures (by 20 g C m−2 month−1). Net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) estimates suggested that the IWG monoculture accumulated more carbon (306 ± 88 C m−2), whereas the biculture was on average carbon neutral (7 g ± 131 C m−2), when biomass removal and manure additions were accounted for. Our study demonstrates the complexities of quantifying carbon budgets in dynamic agricultural systems over short time scales, and the importance of assessing crop multifunctionality within a site's ecological and economic context.

Analysis of the Dynamics of Agricultural Machinery Fleet Renewal

Information on the number of vehicles registered by state technical supervision authorities in 2020 and 2021 is provided. The share of equipment, from the year of production of which more than 10 years have passed, has been established. The dynamics of the acquisition of tractors, grain and forage harvesters by agricultural producers, as well as the energy supply of agricultural organizations is shown.

Indigenous Complex of Machines for Hay and Straw Harvesting

The basic principles of creating a solid food base in modern conditions and the importance of forage harvesting are considered. An analysis of the effectiveness of the use of modern Russian equipment for harvesting hay and straw in the preparation of fodder is given on the basis of the results of tests of the domestic complex of machines carried out at machine test stations of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia.

Analysis of the Activities of State Technical Supervision Authorities

The activities of the research center “Gostekhnadzor” are disclosed. An analysis of the work of state technical supervision bodies of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation over the past ten years and the dynamics of the number of registered equipment, including grain and forage harvesters in the agribusiness, are presented. The technical inspection of selfpropelled machines is analyzed.

Evaluation of Lablab purpureus accessions in two agro-ecologies of Benishangulgumuz, Western Ethiopia

A study was conducted to evaluate L. purpureus accessions for their agronomic traits under two agro-ecologies of Benishangul-Gumuz region. The experiment was carried out at Assosa and Kamash forage research stations of Assosa Agricultural Research Center were purposively selected to represent mid and lowland agro-ecologies respectively. Four Lablab purpureus accessions (L. purpureus 147, 11609, 11640, and 6529) were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications. The general linear model procedures of SAS and least significance difference for data analysis and mean separation were employed respectively. Environment (E) had significant effect on plant height at forage harvesting (P &lt; 0.001), forage dry matter yield (P &lt; 0.01) and leaf to stem ratio (P &lt; 0.01). L. purpureus genotypes planted at Kamash had longer plant height and dry matter yielder than Assosa, however leaf to stem ratio was higher at Assosa. Genotype (G) and G x E (G and E interaction) had no significant P &gt; 0.05) effect on forage dry matter yield, plant height and leaf to stem ratio. In conclusion, environment had significant effect on forage dry matter yield, leaf to stem ratio and plant height, therefore evaluations of yield performance and adaptation patterns of L. purpureus genotype in multipleenvironments are very important step in agronomic evaluation and selection of better adapted and high yielding genotype.

Traditional Management Practices and Production Potential of Beekeeping in Erer Zone of Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

The study was carried out in Erer zone, Somali Region of Ethiopia, to assess beekeeping practices and production. A total of 156 respondents were selected randomly from two purposively selected localities based on beekeeping potential and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. The study revealed the majority of the respondents (85.9%) practiced traditional beekeeping system and hung their hives on trees away from the homestead in dense forest. The honeybee flora of the area consists mostly of nectar and pollen-producing trees and shrubs including Grewia tenax, Grewia penicillata, Acaciamellifera, Acaciareficiens, Acaciatortilis, Acaciasenegal, and Acaciahorrida. The average honey yield from traditional beehives was 4.85 kg, which is less than the national average yield (5 kg). The average honey yield from modern beehives, on the other hand, was 7.29 kg which is lower the amount obtained from other parts of the country. The major constraints of beekeeping are the high cost of modern hives and accessories, pests and predators of honey bees, water scarcity, shortage of bee forage, bee absconding and marketing. Birds, ants, spiders, wax moth, mice, lizards, and honey badgers were identified as the major honeybee pests and predators based on beekeeper responses. Pests and predators (37.8%), destroying nests during honey harvesting (26.9%), water scarcity (21.2%), and shortage of bee forage (14.1%) were the most common reasons for honeybee absconding. Beekeeping production remains low due to these constraints and traditional practices in the area. However, there is enormous potential and opportunity to increase honeybee production in the area. To improve the quantity and quality of honey yield in the area, significant extension and technical intervention, use of locally available beekeeping technologies, appropriate measures to manage honeybee pests and absconding, and training to enrich beekeepers' knowledge are necessary to be implemented.

MTBF Analysis of Grain and Forage Harvesters

The results of the analysis of the time between failures during testing of the main grain and forage harvesters, including RSM-200 «RSM F 2450", RSM-1401, RSM100 «Don-680M», RSM-120 «RSM F 1300», KVK -800, K-G-6, KSK-600, are presented.

Forage Yield, Quality, and Impact on Subsequent Cash Crop of Cover Crops in an Integrated Forage/Row Crop System

Dual-use cover crops as forage for livestock could offer ecological and economic benefits when incorporated into rotations with corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) in the Mid-South USA; however, information on implementation and impact is limited. A factorial of sixteen cool-season species and a no-cover control by two management systems (forage harvest and residue left in the field) was repeated under two cover crop planting/termination timings: long-season (Oct. through May; corn/cover-crop/soybean) and short-season (Nov. through Apr.; soybean/cover-crop/corn), two locations (Spring Hill and Knoxville, TN), and two growing seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019). Data were analyzed using a mixed model ANOVA (SAS 9.4.). The forage biomass did not differ by species within the short-season (415 to 1583 kg ha−1) but did in the long-season (475 to 4282 kg ha−1). Within the long-season, crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) and winter pea (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense (L.)) had crude protein and acid detergent fiber values within the range for prime forage and were among the highest biomasses. The forage harvest did not negatively affect soil properties or succeeding crop yield and quality. If appropriate species are selected, cover crops within a corn/cover-crop/soybean rotation can provide quality forage, without reducing the short term ecological benefits.

Shredlage Processing Affects the Digestibility of Maize Silage

Maize silage is one of the most important feeds for ruminant nutrition and various production methods can have a significant impact on their quality, especially the utilization of nutrients. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of conventional and shredlage processing of harvested maize on kernel processing, fermentation profile, physically effective fibre and digestibility of maize silage. A stay-green maize hybrid was harvested with a conventional forage harvester (CON; theoretical length of cut 10 mm; conventional rollers with a 30% difference in roller speed; the rollers have a horizontally teeth; 1-mm roll clearance) or a shredlage processor (SHR; theoretical length of cut 25 mm; Shredlage crop processor with 50% difference in roller speed; the rollers have sawtooth teeth with a counter-rotating spiral groove; 1-mm clearance) and stored in experimental silos. The experimental silages were analysed for chemical composition (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre, starch), fermentation parameters (pH, lactate, acetate, ammonia), processing quality (kernel processing score, particle size), physically effective neutral detergent fibre (peNDF) and in vivo nutrient digestibility. The shredlage processing (SHR) of maize plants did not have an effect on the silage fermentation profile. On the other hand, the SHR treatment significantly increased kernel processing score (p &lt; 0.01) and peNDF content (p &lt; 0.01). SHR also increased in vivo digestibility significantly, namely that of dry matter (DM), organic matter, starch, crude fibre and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). An increase in nutrient digestibility leads to higher values of NEL. The presented results show positive effects of shredlage processing on quality and digestibility of maize silage.