Precision technologies in forage production

1. Precision technologies in forage production By: JJ Bull

2. History • Up to the end of the 19 century most grasses was grown separate from legumes because crops were rotated. But into the 20 century farmers realized with good farm techniques high productive pastures were a mixture of grasses and legumes. • Up to the the 20 century most hay was cut by scythe with a team of workers.

3. History fg • Later horse pulled implements were used to mow hay. • After the hay would dry they would go through and pick up the hay with pitch forks and put on the back of horse draw cart or wagon. • Then in the 1930 they went more mechanized with tractors and balers.

4. Mowers • One of the first mowers ever invented was by Cyrus McCormick in 1834 and was an idea his father had started and gotten angry with so he picked up the design and finished it. • Then in the early 1900’s Champion corporations developed a more precise reaper that was used for for awhile.

5. Mowers • After the reaper mower they developed from the same design the sickle mower. Advantages Able to used behind a tractor and took less time to cut a field. Designed to cut closer to the ground. Disadvantage Not able to cut grass when dew is still on the ground.

6. Mowers • Disc mowers are the newest ones that have been designed for tractors. • Disc mowers are a good design that made it to were farmers can mow hay in the morning when dew is still on the ground. • Advantages: can operate anytime, are able to go at a higher rate of speed, cut thicker and more varieties of grass. More blades to cut with for a smoother cut

7. Rake • First hay rake was horse drawn. It was used to accumulate hay together so that it can be loaded into the back of a wagon or truck. • After, the one windrow rake was developed that can be pulled behind almost any thing.

8. Rake • The newest design was the V-rake. This rake comes in a variety of sizes depends on use.

9. Baler • The hay baler was not invented until the 1930’s. • There are 2 different models of balers: square and round baler. • The invention of the baler has made storing and preserving hay to were you can fit more into tighter areas and the hay can last longer instead of rotting or molding in a short amount of time.

10. Baler • SQUARE BALER • Square bailer designed to make smaller bales. Bales can weight 70-100 lbs. Smaller bales are easier to transport and make it easier for portion control when fed to animals. Bales can be banded with 2 different things: string or wire.

11. Baler • ROUND BALER • These are used to accumulate large amounts of hay together to be feed to a group of animals. • These can weight 1,000- 2000 lbs. • The way round bales use to wrapped with twine. • In the late 90s they came up with a bio degradable twine that became popular quickly.

12. Baler • In the last 10 years they developed a new way of wrapping the bales with net wrap. • Net wrap keeps the bale together in a neater tighter package. • Net wrap also makes the bales last longer to were they can last years longer than just wrapped with twine.

13. New technology • Bale trak monitors • Possibly greenseeker • Lidar • Others?

14. Questions?