Parametric analysis of the properties of selected mixing feeding wagons

Abstract

Abstract:Eight different mixing feeding wagons (MFW) were investigated under identical conditions in preparing total mixed rations (TMR) for three various cattle categories. Investigated were the uniformity of distribution of the feed into the trough, homogeneity of TMR distributed, the machine capacity in feed extracting from storage and loading, TMR mixing and distributing into the trough, fuel consumption and power consumption required. The least uniformity was found for TMR with a high hay proportion (average value of standard deviation 49.9%). Better results were achieved with MFW designed with horizontal mixing augers (average standard deviation 33.7%). MFW with vertical augers distributed feeds at average standard deviation of 61.3%. Standard deviation of the proportion of feed particles on the separator screens which is considered as a measure of TMR homogeneity, was bellow 20% in most cases. This suggests a hint of a very good mixing efficiency of all the MFW followed up. No influence of different designs of the working elements of MFW on TMR homogeneity has been proved. With respect to the machine capacity (output) in preparing and distributing TMR, no large differences between various MFW were found and their output averaged from all measurements varied within the range of 4.79-5.48 t/h. The least average specific consumption of fuel for preparing and distributing TMR was found in the MFW equipped with vertical mixing augers (1.10-1.11 l/t). MFW with one horizontally mounted mixing auger showed a rather higher fuel consumption (1.30-1.43 l/t). The highest fuel consumption was found with MFW equipped with two parallely mounted mixing augers (1.59-1.63 l/t).Keywords: mixing feeding wagons; cattle feeding; total mixed rations; output; fuel consumptionThe basic feeding technique in cattle and especially in milk cow keeping is the mixed feeding ration prepared of a mixture of various bulky feeds and concentrates often termed as TMR (total mixed ration). The feed ration resulting from such preparation influences favourably the feed reception by animals, their efficiency and state of health (Kudrna 2004). In the past, TMR were prepared on farm stationary mixing plants. They, however, were substituted by mixing feeding wagons (MFW) after 1990. Currently, these are the dominant equipment for TMR preparation and distribution on cattle farms. For example they account for preparing and distributing TMR to more than 80% milk cows in the Czech Republic (Vegricht et al. 2006).The quality of TMR preparation and distribution depends decisively on the quality of mixing feeding wagons and on a suitable design of their working elements while a great influence is also attributed to the correct operation of MFW. A great part of MFW is equipped with the equipment for extracting and unloading feeds stored in trough silos (rotary cutters, cutting shields or frames with active or passive knives) and their loading. Generally, it would be admitted that rottary cutters could injure the structure of the unloaded feeds and have hig...

Assessment of the Effectiveness of a Portable NIRS Instrument in Controlling the Mixer Wagon Tuning and Ration Management

“…The Hi highlighted good values for many farms, but the first quartile showed Hi lower than 74.0. These findings are opposed to those found in the literature where authors measured the TMR homogeneity, evaluated as the SD of the proportion of feed particles on the separator screens, which was good (SD < 20%) for eight MW regardless of the different designs of the working elements [ 7 ]. The Hi was mainly related to the MW fullness, confirming the ideal reference range of 80–100 [ 15 , 18 ], with a severe undesirable Hi with fullness > 100% ( Figure 2 a).…”

“…The homogeneity of the ration in terms of particle size distribution is not always guaranteed across the year, and it is related to TMR composition [ 6 ]. Initially, the homogeneity of the distributed TMR was evaluated using a particle size separator and standard deviation (SD) as a test by sampling from 10 points at the feeding alley, attaining values of SD mostly lower than 20.0% [ 7 ]. Regarding the physical form of the ration, the particle size reduction of the forages in the TMR must be periodically monitored to ensure proper ruminal function in dairy cows [ 8 ].…”

Influence of different loading levels, cutting and mixing times on total mixed ration (TMR) homogeneity in a vertical mixing wagon during distribution: a case study

“…The available literature reports studies about the efficiency of mixing wagons (Vegricht et al 2007;S ıstkova et al 2015), mainly describing the procedure of loading, cutting and mixing adopted in the farm.…”

Increased Cattle Feeding Precision from Automatic Feeding Systems: Considerations on Technology Spread and Farm Level Perceived Advantages in Italy

“…However, the introduction of TMR rationing in dairy and beef farms had to wait until the 1960s [7], thanks to the design, development, and subsequent spread of mechanical mixing devices (stationary mixing plants and mixing feeding wagons-MFWs), which have become the dominant equipment for TMR preparation and distribution on cattle farms [8]. TMR feeding has proven to be the feeding method closest to reared ruminants' physiology [9,10], obtaining remarkable consensus given the suitability of existing AFSs for European dairy farms [11].…”