Intensive mechanical conditioning of forages: A review

Savoie, P. 2001. Intensive mechanical conditioning of forages: A review. Canadian Biosystems Engineering/Le genie des biosystemes au Canada 43:2.1-2.12. Intensive forage conditioning, also known as maceration, has been the object of research at several sites around the world over the last 20 years. Maceration has been shown to increase the field drying rate, to enhance the silage acidification rate, and to improve, in some instances, the dry matter intake or digestibility of forages fed to ruminants. In other instances, however, maceration has caused high losses and produced a low quality feed, especially under rainy or humid wilting conditions. The paper reviews various mechanisms proposed and several experiments carried out to evaluate field drying, power requirement, and feed value. Very intensive conditioning can be achieved by impact maceration followed by compression into a thin mat. Less intensive conditioning can be obtained with a small number of staggered rolls, without mat formation; such a treatment would be preferred in a more humid climate to minimize field loss.

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