Mower choice considered crucial in the drive for high quality hay and silage
Announcement posted by KUHN Farm Machinery 19 Feb 2018
These days, producing quality hay and silage isn’t simply about baling up a field of hay. With fodder quality varying greatly, depending on everything from moisture content and particle size to packing density and sealing practices, the number of variables makes it important to invest in the right equipment, to give the best chance of success.
As Jarrod Maskell, National Sales Manager for KUHN, one of Australia’s leading farm machinery manufacturers explains, there are a few key considerations to be aware of before starting. “Crop selection is key – so look at the type of crop you’re using, to ensure it performs well in your climate, so you get the best possible nutritional value. Water management and soil condition (i.e. whether it’s heavy, dry or rocky) will also affect the type of moisture content your crop has access to. Plant nutrition is obviously also another factor that will affect the overall quality. And finally, the type of equipment used will have a considerable impact on the final result.”
A regular mower will simply cut the crop, which is fine in some conditions – but it can lead to a longer drying time. If conditions are wet, this can create issues with mould… and that’s when a disc mower conditioner can be invaluable. Using a pair of rubber or steel rollers that the fodder passes through or a flail roller with steel fingers that crimp the fodder in the rollers, or bruise the stems with the steel fingers, they enable fodder to dry faster and more evenly.
Jarrod explains why it’s so important to reduce dry-down time: “Particularly with larger farms, it’s important to reduce that dry down time, due to harvest constraints. Dry down is a lot faster and more even with a conditioner, and it means better quality in hay and silage feed tests.”
KUHN offers various disc mowers that have been designed specifically with a top-quality end product in mind – including the FC 10030 D and FC 3525 DF FF Triple Mower Conditioner Combination. “This machine combination is not only better able to handle all types of fodder, but its greater speed and coverage creates higher volume, which is ideal for mass production. This particular machine adapts perfectly to different types of terrain, preventing contamination by impurities and preserving plant cover, for better nutritional quality and higher quality forage.”
In addition, machines like the GMD 10030 FF and GMD 3525 FF Triple Mower Combination with a working width of 9.53 to 9.93 m, achieve exceptional work output. “This combination features OPTIDISC cutter bar reliability and PROTECTADRIVE safety, for greater productivity, as well as a time-saving FAST-FIT quick knife attachment system,” says Jarrod.
KUHN’s cutting-edge technology innovations in hay and silage machinery make its machines world-famous for their quality of work, performance, reliability and longevity – and to celebrate 50-years of innovation, KUHN will be giving away a special edition GMD 310; another pioneering disc mower that’s ideal for coping with more intense operations. The special-edition machine will be on display for visitors at the Farm World Field Days in Lardner, Victoria from 12 – 15 April 2018.
For more information and to learn more about the KUHN difference, visit www.kuhn.com.au.
Ends
Media Contact:
C7EVEN Communications, Luci Smith
P: 02 6766 4513/ 0419 618 845
E: luci.smith@c7even.com.au
As Jarrod Maskell, National Sales Manager for KUHN, one of Australia’s leading farm machinery manufacturers explains, there are a few key considerations to be aware of before starting. “Crop selection is key – so look at the type of crop you’re using, to ensure it performs well in your climate, so you get the best possible nutritional value. Water management and soil condition (i.e. whether it’s heavy, dry or rocky) will also affect the type of moisture content your crop has access to. Plant nutrition is obviously also another factor that will affect the overall quality. And finally, the type of equipment used will have a considerable impact on the final result.”
A regular mower will simply cut the crop, which is fine in some conditions – but it can lead to a longer drying time. If conditions are wet, this can create issues with mould… and that’s when a disc mower conditioner can be invaluable. Using a pair of rubber or steel rollers that the fodder passes through or a flail roller with steel fingers that crimp the fodder in the rollers, or bruise the stems with the steel fingers, they enable fodder to dry faster and more evenly.
Jarrod explains why it’s so important to reduce dry-down time: “Particularly with larger farms, it’s important to reduce that dry down time, due to harvest constraints. Dry down is a lot faster and more even with a conditioner, and it means better quality in hay and silage feed tests.”
KUHN offers various disc mowers that have been designed specifically with a top-quality end product in mind – including the FC 10030 D and FC 3525 DF FF Triple Mower Conditioner Combination. “This machine combination is not only better able to handle all types of fodder, but its greater speed and coverage creates higher volume, which is ideal for mass production. This particular machine adapts perfectly to different types of terrain, preventing contamination by impurities and preserving plant cover, for better nutritional quality and higher quality forage.”
In addition, machines like the GMD 10030 FF and GMD 3525 FF Triple Mower Combination with a working width of 9.53 to 9.93 m, achieve exceptional work output. “This combination features OPTIDISC cutter bar reliability and PROTECTADRIVE safety, for greater productivity, as well as a time-saving FAST-FIT quick knife attachment system,” says Jarrod.
KUHN’s cutting-edge technology innovations in hay and silage machinery make its machines world-famous for their quality of work, performance, reliability and longevity – and to celebrate 50-years of innovation, KUHN will be giving away a special edition GMD 310; another pioneering disc mower that’s ideal for coping with more intense operations. The special-edition machine will be on display for visitors at the Farm World Field Days in Lardner, Victoria from 12 – 15 April 2018.
For more information and to learn more about the KUHN difference, visit www.kuhn.com.au.
Ends
Media Contact:
C7EVEN Communications, Luci Smith
P: 02 6766 4513/ 0419 618 845
E: luci.smith@c7even.com.au