R. Charlick, M. R. Holden, W. Klinner
Mar 1, 1980
Citations
0
Influential Citations
10
Citations
Journal
Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research
Abstract
Abstract To increase the effectiveness of propionic acid-based hay preservatives, their distribution in the crop mass needed to be improved. Major advantage was gained by applying the chemicals to the thinned crop stream created in a tedder. Losses of chemical during field application were found to be dependent on formulation, ambient temperature, and drop size as a characteristic of applicator design. Development work was directed towards minimizing losses. Improved application techniques and equipment were evaluated in replicated field experiments, and the relationship between crop moisture content and the application rate required to prevent serious post harvest heating was investigated. The results indicated that ammonium propionate has important advantages over propionic acid, and that coarse drop application at appropriate rates, when combined with the final windrowing, is an effective method of hay treatment.