Document Type : Original Article

Author

• Mohammad-Ali Behaeen

Assistant Professor at Department of Agricultural Engineering Research, Research and Training Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Fars province, Agricultural Rerearch, Education and Extension Organization, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Increasing and improving feed conversion ratio in the livestock industry is achieved by using total mixed rations. Providing adequate and balanced nutrients in the ration to increase production is achieved by mixing feed ingredients. The important point in preparing this type of animal feed, is the homogeneity of mixing of the ingredients and the same distribution in each animal. Feeder mixer machines are suitable implement for preparing a total mixed ration in animal husbandry. In order to investigate the homogeneity of the total mixed ration in a feeder mixer machine, the effect of three levels of spiral rotation of 50(R₅₀), 60(R₆₀) and 70(R₇₀) rpm, and the mixing time at three levels of 15(T₁₅), 18(T₁₈) and 21(T₂₁) minutes were compared in a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. A mixture of straw, alfalfa, corn silage, sugar beet pulp pellets, livestock concentrate, and water was used to prepare the ration in a feeder mixer machine. The parameters studied included measuring the crushing of mixed ration, measuring and calculating the homogeneity of mixed materials, and examining the flowability of mixed materials (Froude number). The data obtained were analyzed with SAS software and means were compared with Duncan's multiple range test. The results showed that the highest amount of material crushing (the lowest in the geometric mean of material) was obtained at a spiral rotation of 70 rpm and a time of 21 minutes (treatment R₇₀T₂₁) and the lowest amount of forage material crushing was obtained at a spiral rotation of 50 rpm and a time of 15 minutes (treatment R50T15) with a significant difference between them (P<0.05). The highest homogeneity was also achieved in the R70T21 treatment. Considering the widespread use of feeder mixer machine in dairy farms and the time savings in preparing total mixed ration, a treatment should be provided that has a small spiral axis and the time spent using the machine in preparing the total mixed ration is appropriate. Based on the studies conducted, the R₅₀T₁₈ treatment with a standard deviation of 1.39 cm in piece length (S_gm) and a homogeneity of mixed materials of 1.63 g (S_d), is recommended.

Keywords

• Bulk Density
• Crushing
• Flowability
• Froude Number
• Pennsylvania Sieve