Harvesting

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Harvesting Storing Forages

• Original Power Point Created by Brent Niemeyer
• Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education
  Curriculum Office
• June 2002

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What factors determine time to harvest forage?
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• Balance between quality and yield
• Weather conditions
• -rain leaches nutrients

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How is forage quality determined?
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Physical Appearance

• Visual Appearance
• Color
• Odor (pleasant)

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Chemical Analysis

• Protein Content
• Fiber Content
• Digestibility
• Lignin Content

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When should forages be harvested?
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• Harvest before the crop is fully mature

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What methods are used to harvest forages?
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Grazing
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Dry Hay Systems
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• Square Bales
• Round Bales
• Haystack
• Field Cubes

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High Moisture Systems

• Green Chopped
• Haylage (40-60)
• Silage (60-70)

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Special ForageProcessing Systems

• Stationary Cubers
• Pelleting Machines

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Causes of Deterioration

• Harvest (late or early)
• Bailing (wet / too dry)
• Improper storage

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How can forage deterioration be prevented?
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• Proper harvest time, methods, and moisture
  content
• Maintain storage facilities

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What are the basic storage requirements of
forages?
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Dry Hay

• Weather protection
• Pest protection
• Adequate ventilation

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Silage / Haylage

• Weather protection
• Pest protection
• Air tight facility

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Silage / Haylage

• Convenient for filling, emptying, monitoring,
  cleaning

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What are ways to improve field drying?
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• Swath drying
• Windrow drying
• Conditioning
• Chemical additives

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(No Transcript)