3 innovations impacting milk output

Repossi Macchine Agricole: Ra-Rake

The latest addition to their range of comb and rotary rakes is the Ra-Rake (with operating speed of up to 20km/h), a double wheel rake. The company says that the single wheel, mechanically driven by the clutch, moves the hay, but in this way pollutes it with a large amount of ash. The patented double wheel rake allows farmers to collect hay free from stones and dust (+50% less) preventing contamination and turf damage, provide top-quality fodder for optimal milk and meat production. The company says for farmers the benefits include: high quality of forage, more protein, less exogenous (= derived from soil and stones) ashes, increased livestock productivity, better milk quality, greater digestibility and animal welfare.

For more info http://www.rarake.eu/

Photo: Repossi Macchine Agricole

Murska: Crimping system

According to Murska crimping is a cost-effective way to produce high-quality feed for all livestock. It improves farm profitability by reducing costs of investments and energy. The company adds that the overall nutritive value of crimped grain for ruminants is similar to that of dried grain.

Production costs of crimped grain are much lower than those of dried grain. The company further adds that there is no need for silos when crimping into a plastic tube. Advantages include lower labour costs, higher yield varieties, threshing period, a reduction of toxin levels, harvesting at yellowish stage – at a time of highest nutrient content, milk 11% more (crimped maize), less reliant on weather, no drying costs.

For more information: http://www.murska.fi/en/

Photo: Murska

Pöttinger: FLOWTAST: glide bar on TOP 842 C

According to Pöttinger with the new, optional glide bar replacing the jockey wheel on the TOP 842 C rotary rake, dirt ingress is reduced by tracking the entire surface of the ground close to the tines. The wheels used on the chassis of the rakes are configured in various ways with jockey wheels fitted at different locations These ensure the best possible tracking of the ground to reduce dirt ingress in the forage. The feature of the new FLOWTAST glide bar is the wear-resistant plastic that is used as the ground contact material. Its high volume sabre shape delivers the best gliding characteristics even when moving sideways. The glide bar tracks the ground along the full raking length of the tine arc. The glide bar is very cost effective and therefore has a positive effect on yield: the suspension properties of the glide bar allow an approximately 10% higher driving speed. With the lower vibration and smoother running as a result, the rake is subject to a much lower level of wear. Downtimes are reduced because repairs to worn or bent jockey wheel units are no longer necessary. A higher milk yield also increases profits. This is achieved by reducing the dirt ingress to the forage.

For more info: https://www.poettinger.at/en_in

Photo: Pöttinger