Mechanization - Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute · ICAR- Indian Grassland and Fodder...

Mechanizationin

Fodder Production

Mechanizationin

Fodder Production

ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research InstituteJhansi-284 003 (U.P.) India

Mechanizationin

Fodder Production

Mechanizationin

Fodder Production

Chandra Shekhar Sahay

Prabha Kant Pathak

Sanjay Kumar Singh

Technical Bulletin

Mechanizationin

Fodder Production

Mechanizationin

Fodder Production

ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research InstituteJhansi-284 003 (U.P.) India

Mechanizationin

Fodder Production

Mechanizationin

Fodder Production

Chandra Shekhar Sahay

Prabha Kant Pathak

Sanjay Kumar Singh

Technical Bulletin

ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research InstituteJhansi - 284 003 (U.P.) India

Citation : Sahay, Chandra Shekhar, Pathak, Prabha Kant and Singh, Sanjay Kumar 2016. Mechanization in Fodder Production. ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi - 284 003 (U.P.) India. Pp 1-42.

Published by Director ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research InstituteJhansi-284 003 (U.P.) IndiaPhone No. 0510-2730666

Printed at Darpan Printers & LaminationAgra

One of the important mandates of Farm Machinery and Post-Harvest Technology Division of ICAR- Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi is 'Design, development and evaluation of farm machinery and implements for forage crops'. The other mandates of division include Post harvest processing techniques, Conservation and value enrichment of forage produce, Development and evaluation of soil and moisture conservation techniques.

The production potential of animals in our country is 20-60 per cent lower than the global average because of constraints related to feeding, breeding, health and management. Deficiency of feed and fodder accounts for half of the total loss being as main factor of low productivity. The developing pressures on land for increasing food productivity and other uses lowers the chance of much increase in area under forage production. The strategy to meet out deficit involves increasing productivity with the existing crops and patterns. Fodder cultivation and recovery from range land is an energy intensive process requiring appropriate mechanization of unit operations. Also green fodder is a perishable commodity and timeliness of operation is important in its proper utilization. This necessitates the demand of appropriate mechanization in fodder production and utilization.

Farm Machinery and Post Harvest Technology Division of IGFRI has developed/tested/ modified and adopted number of machines and technology for increasing the mechanization of fodder production and utilization. A compilation of machines and techniques has been presented here that will be useful to all concerned stakeholders.

(P.K. Ghosh)Director

Foreword

ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research InstituteJhansi - 284 003 (U.P.) India

Citation : Sahay, Chandra Shekhar, Pathak, Prabha Kant and Singh, Sanjay Kumar 2016. Mechanization in Fodder Production. ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi - 284 003 (U.P.) India. Pp 1-42.

Published by Director ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research InstituteJhansi-284 003 (U.P.) IndiaPhone No. 0510-2730666

Printed at Darpan Printers & LaminationAgra

One of the important mandates of Farm Machinery and Post-Harvest Technology Division of ICAR- Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi is 'Design, development and evaluation of farm machinery and implements for forage crops'. The other mandates of division include Post harvest processing techniques, Conservation and value enrichment of forage produce, Development and evaluation of soil and moisture conservation techniques.

The production potential of animals in our country is 20-60 per cent lower than the global average because of constraints related to feeding, breeding, health and management. Deficiency of feed and fodder accounts for half of the total loss being as main factor of low productivity. The developing pressures on land for increasing food productivity and other uses lowers the chance of much increase in area under forage production. The strategy to meet out deficit involves increasing productivity with the existing crops and patterns. Fodder cultivation and recovery from range land is an energy intensive process requiring appropriate mechanization of unit operations. Also green fodder is a perishable commodity and timeliness of operation is important in its proper utilization. This necessitates the demand of appropriate mechanization in fodder production and utilization.

Farm Machinery and Post Harvest Technology Division of IGFRI has developed/tested/ modified and adopted number of machines and technology for increasing the mechanization of fodder production and utilization. A compilation of machines and techniques has been presented here that will be useful to all concerned stakeholders.

(P.K. Ghosh)Director

Foreword

Low productivity of livestock in the country is mainly due to lack of feed resources. At present there is estimated deficit of about 822 million tonnes feed and fodder resources to cater to 529.7 million livestock population with growth rate of 0.55 per cent in India. There is pressing requirement of increasing productivity of animal feed resources under the constraints of land and other resources. Fodder production and utilization is also energy intensive cropping like other crops. Fodder has specific requirement of multiple harvesting in one season and processing of material before feeding. Also, green fodder is perishable commodity and needs to be handled in time. Appropriate mechanization is requirement of fodder production and utilization in any given situation. A dairy farmer allocates about 10 per cent of the gross cropped area to the fodder cultivation. Small and medium size machinery forms the part of their requirement in fodder production. Among the usable machines, some are of specific nature developed for fodder only, another are of general nature that may be used with some attachment or modification for production of fodder. This compilation describes the machinery and relevant issues useful in efficient production of fodder.

The authors are thankful to Director IGFRI, Dr. P.K. Ghosh for his continuous guidance to address the issue of mechanization in fodder production and utilization and Secretary PME, Dr. N. Das for constructive suggestions. Authors are also thankful to Dr. K.K. Singh, ADG (Engineering) for encouraging to write this bulletin. Sincere thanks are extended to Dr. Surendra Singh, Ex- Project Coordinator and Dr. C.R. Mehta, Project Coordinator, AICRP on FIM for providing suggestions and making machines available to conduct Prototype Feasibility Testing to suit fodder production and utilization.

Chandra Shekhar SahayPrabha Kant PathakSanjay Kumar Singh

Preface

Low productivity of livestock in the country is mainly due to lack of feed resources. At present there is estimated deficit of about 822 million tonnes feed and fodder resources to cater to 529.7 million livestock population with growth rate of 0.55 per cent in India. There is pressing requirement of increasing productivity of animal feed resources under the constraints of land and other resources. Fodder production and utilization is also energy intensive cropping like other crops. Fodder has specific requirement of multiple harvesting in one season and processing of material before feeding. Also, green fodder is perishable commodity and needs to be handled in time. Appropriate mechanization is requirement of fodder production and utilization in any given situation. A dairy farmer allocates about 10 per cent of the gross cropped area to the fodder cultivation. Small and medium size machinery forms the part of their requirement in fodder production. Among the usable machines, some are of specific nature developed for fodder only, another are of general nature that may be used with some attachment or modification for production of fodder. This compilation describes the machinery and relevant issues useful in efficient production of fodder.

The authors are thankful to Director IGFRI, Dr. P.K. Ghosh for his continuous guidance to address the issue of mechanization in fodder production and utilization and Secretary PME, Dr. N. Das for constructive suggestions. Authors are also thankful to Dr. K.K. Singh, ADG (Engineering) for encouraging to write this bulletin. Sincere thanks are extended to Dr. Surendra Singh, Ex- Project Coordinator and Dr. C.R. Mehta, Project Coordinator, AICRP on FIM for providing suggestions and making machines available to conduct Prototype Feasibility Testing to suit fodder production and utilization.

Chandra Shekhar SahayPrabha Kant PathakSanjay Kumar Singh

Preface

Contents

Foreword

Preface

1. Introduction 1

2. Sowing (S) Machines

S.1 Seed drill for fine fodder seed 5

S.2 Mixed cropping enabled seed cum fertilizer drill 6

S.3 Raised bed planter 7

3. Weed (W) Control Machines

W.1 Boom sprayer 11

W.2 Power weeder 12

4. Harvesting (H) Machines

H.1 Vertical conveyor reaper 17

H.2 Engine operated riding type reaper-binder 18

H.3 Engine operated riding type fodder harvester 19

H.4 Tractor operated cutter bar harvester 20

H.5 Engine operated grass cutter 21

H.6 Tractor operated shear plate fodder harvester chaffer loader 23

H.7 Tractor operated flail fodder harvester chaffer loader 25

5. Fodder Specific (FS) Machines

FS.1 Manually operated chaff cutter 29

FS.2 Electric operated chaff cutter 29

FS.3 Tractor operated movable chaff cutter 30

FS.4 Tractor operated movable baler 32

FS.5 Tractor operated field baler 34

FS.6 Thresher with urea treatment system 36

FS.7 Feed block making machine 38

FS.8 Compact feed pelleting machine 38

FS.9 Tyre type seed pellet making machine 39

6. Future Mechanization need of Research & Development in Fodder Production 40

7. Some Manufacturers in Fodder Production Machineries 41

Contents

Foreword

Preface

1. Introduction 1

2. Sowing (S) Machines

S.1 Seed drill for fine fodder seed 5

S.2 Mixed cropping enabled seed cum fertilizer drill 6

S.3 Raised bed planter 7

3. Weed (W) Control Machines

W.1 Boom sprayer 11

W.2 Power weeder 12

4. Harvesting (H) Machines

H.1 Vertical conveyor reaper 17

H.2 Engine operated riding type reaper-binder 18

H.3 Engine operated riding type fodder harvester 19

H.4 Tractor operated cutter bar harvester 20

H.5 Engine operated grass cutter 21

H.6 Tractor operated shear plate fodder harvester chaffer loader 23

H.7 Tractor operated flail fodder harvester chaffer loader 25

5. Fodder Specific (FS) Machines

FS.1 Manually operated chaff cutter 29

FS.2 Electric operated chaff cutter 29

FS.3 Tractor operated movable chaff cutter 30

FS.4 Tractor operated movable baler 32

FS.5 Tractor operated field baler 34

FS.6 Thresher with urea treatment system 36

FS.7 Feed block making machine 38

FS.8 Compact feed pelleting machine 38

FS.9 Tyre type seed pellet making machine 39

6. Future Mechanization need of Research & Development in Fodder Production 40

7. Some Manufacturers in Fodder Production Machineries 41

Agriculture and allied sector contributed approximately 13.9 per cent of India's GDP (at constant 2004-05 prices) during 2013-14. However, it went up to 18 per cent based on 2011-12 prices (Central Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India, 2015). This figure of 18 per cent comes by addition of share of crops (11.4 per cent, maximum), Livestock (3.9 per cent), Forestry and Logging (1.4 per cent) and Fishing (0.9 per cent minimum).Livestock production is backbone of Indian agriculture and source of employment and ultimate livelihood for 70 per cent population in rural areas. Livestock contributes about 15-20 per cent to the household income of farmers, which has been steadily increasing during the recent years. India's livestock sector is one of the largest in the world. Livestock population is around 529.7 million and is expected to grow at the rate of 0.55 per cent in the coming years. It has 56.7 per cent of world's buffaloes, 12.5 per cent cattle, 20.4 per cent small ruminants, 2.4 per cent camel, 1.4 per cent equine, 1.5 per cent pigs and 3.1 per cent poultry (Vision, 2050, IGFRI, Jhansi).

Cattle and buffaloes require substantial quantity of feed and fodder for economic management. Proper feeding of livestock available in the country requires about 1300 million tonnes of feed whereas availability is only 478 million tonnes. In the diverse climate of India a variety of forage crops are used but area under cultivated fodder is stagnating to around 8.5 million ha (4.6 per cent of gross cropped area; 184.8 million ha), mainly on account of pressure of human population for food and other cash crops.

The average yield of milk and meat in our animals is 20-60 per cent lower than the global average. Further, their production potential is not realized fully because of constraints related to feeding, breeding, health and management. Deficiency of feed and fodder accounts for half of the total loss, followed by the problems of breeding and reproduction (21.1%), diseases (17.9%) and management (10.5%). There is urgent need to meet the demand of increasing number of livestock and also enhance their productivity for which availability of feed resources have to be increased. Livestock production is primarily a small farm production system characterized by low input-output.

Around 80 per cent of the livestock are on marginal, small and medium holdings under rain fed situation accounting for 53 per cent of the operated area with average herd size of 3.7 head of cattle and buffalo, whereas small ruminants are mostly reared under nomadic (30 per cent) and sedentary (70 per cent) systems. Proper feeding of livestock requires meeting the deficit of feed from various approaches. The main approach being increasing productivity of fodder from the same land for which timely application of inputs and timely completion of operations are required.

Cultivation and utilization of fodder involve operation similar to any other crop growing practice like preparation of seedbed, sowing of crop, weeding, harvesting etc. In case of fodder, it becomes important to perform initial processing of harvested crop before feeding to animals. Fodder production, its processing and utilization is labour intensive, time consuming and high energy intensive operation. Optimum production and utilization of forage crops demand minimum, critical and timely operation. Delay in fodder production operation often causes loss of moisture content and deterioration of fodder quality rapidly. There are some specific mechanization requirements of fodder crops. Numbers of cultivated fodder crops are multi-cut and produce volume of green and dry matter during the time of harvest. Their production depends

1. Introduction

Agriculture and allied sector contributed approximately 13.9 per cent of India's GDP (at constant 2004-05 prices) during 2013-14. However, it went up to 18 per cent based on 2011-12 prices (Central Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India, 2015). This figure of 18 per cent comes by addition of share of crops (11.4 per cent, maximum), Livestock (3.9 per cent), Forestry and Logging (1.4 per cent) and Fishing (0.9 per cent minimum).Livestock production is backbone of Indian agriculture and source of employment and ultimate livelihood for 70 per cent population in rural areas. Livestock contributes about 15-20 per cent to the household income of farmers, which has been steadily increasing during the recent years. India's livestock sector is one of the largest in the world. Livestock population is around 529.7 million and is expected to grow at the rate of 0.55 per cent in the coming years. It has 56.7 per cent of world's buffaloes, 12.5 per cent cattle, 20.4 per cent small ruminants, 2.4 per cent camel, 1.4 per cent equine, 1.5 per cent pigs and 3.1 per cent poultry (Vision, 2050, IGFRI, Jhansi).

Cattle and buffaloes require substantial quantity of feed and fodder for economic management. Proper feeding of livestock available in the country requires about 1300 million tonnes of feed whereas availability is only 478 million tonnes. In the diverse climate of India a variety of forage crops are used but area under cultivated fodder is stagnating to around 8.5 million ha (4.6 per cent of gross cropped area; 184.8 million ha), mainly on account of pressure of human population for food and other cash crops.

The average yield of milk and meat in our animals is 20-60 per cent lower than the global average. Further, their production potential is not realized fully because of constraints related to feeding, breeding, health and management. Deficiency of feed and fodder accounts for half of the total loss, followed by the problems of breeding and reproduction (21.1%), diseases (17.9%) and management (10.5%). There is urgent need to meet the demand of increasing number of livestock and also enhance their productivity for which availability of feed resources have to be increased. Livestock production is primarily a small farm production system characterized by low input-output.

Around 80 per cent of the livestock are on marginal, small and medium holdings under rain fed situation accounting for 53 per cent of the operated area with average herd size of 3.7 head of cattle and buffalo, whereas small ruminants are mostly reared under nomadic (30 per cent) and sedentary (70 per cent) systems. Proper feeding of livestock requires meeting the deficit of feed from various approaches. The main approach being increasing productivity of fodder from the same land for which timely application of inputs and timely completion of operations are required.

Cultivation and utilization of fodder involve operation similar to any other crop growing practice like preparation of seedbed, sowing of crop, weeding, harvesting etc. In case of fodder, it becomes important to perform initial processing of harvested crop before feeding to animals. Fodder production, its processing and utilization is labour intensive, time consuming and high energy intensive operation. Optimum production and utilization of forage crops demand minimum, critical and timely operation. Delay in fodder production operation often causes loss of moisture content and deterioration of fodder quality rapidly. There are some specific mechanization requirements of fodder crops. Numbers of cultivated fodder crops are multi-cut and produce volume of green and dry matter during the time of harvest. Their production depends

1. Introduction

on timely harvest of material to allow growth for next cut. Large volume and mass handling requires suitable machinery for operation. In Indian conditions, major farming community falls under small (1-3 ha field size) land holding. A small farmer, usually possessing 2-10 numbers of animals allocates small portion (up to 10 per cent) of his cultivated land to fodder cultivation. Accordingly machinery and their size is required in Indian condition to fulfil their needs.

This write up deals with machines and equipment, specific situation that is useful in production of fodder crops. Use of these machines, their features of operation, capacity and salient point about a particular machine are given operation wise.

Sowing (S) Machines

S.1 Seed drill for fine fodder seed

S.2 Mixed cropping enabled seed cum fertilizer drill

S.3 Raised bed planter

Weed (W) Control Machines

W.1 Boom sprayer

W.2 Power weeder

Harvesting (H) Machines

H.1 Vertical conveyor reaper

H.2 Engine operated riding type reaper-binder

H.3 Engine operated riding type fodder harvester

H.4 Tractor operated cutter bar harvester

H.5 Engine operated grass cutter

H.6 Tractor operated shear plate fodder harvester chaffer loader

H.7 Tractor operated flail fodder harvester chaffer loader

Fodder Specific (FS) Machines

FS.1 Manually operated chaff cutter

FS.2 Electric operated chaff cutter

FS.3 Tractor operated movable chaff cutter

FS.4 Tractor operated movable baler

FS.5 Tractor operated field baler

FS.6 Thresher with urea treatment system

FS.7 Feed block making machine

FS.8 Compact feed pelleting machine

FS.9 Tyre type seed pellet making machine

2. Sowing (S) Machines2. Sowing (S) Machines

on timely harvest of material to allow growth for next cut. Large volume and mass handling requires suitable machinery for operation. In Indian conditions, major farming community falls under small (1-3 ha field size) land holding. A small farmer, usually possessing 2-10 numbers of animals allocates small portion (up to 10 per cent) of his cultivated land to fodder cultivation. Accordingly machinery and their size is required in Indian condition to fulfil their needs.

This write up deals with machines and equipment, specific situation that is useful in production of fodder crops. Use of these machines, their features of operation, capacity and salient point about a particular machine are given operation wise.

Sowing (S) Machines

S.3 Raised bed planter

Weed (W) Control Machines

W.1 Boom sprayer

W.2 Power weeder

Harvesting (H) Machines

H.2 Engine operated riding type reaper-binder

H.6 Tractor operated shear plate fodder harvester chaffer loader

H.7 Tractor operated flail fodder harvester chaffer loader

Fodder Specific (FS) Machines

FS.9 Tyre type seed pellet making machine

2. Sowing (S) Machines2. Sowing (S) Machines

Cultivated fodder is usually sown by the method of broadcasting. In a broadcasted field, removal of weed becomes time and labour consuming. In such cases, weeding is often limited to rogging (selectively pulling up weeds by hands) due to which weeding efficiency is reduced. This problem needs more attention when the crop is taken for certified seed production, where weed removal is mandatory. Weeding is made easier and cheaper when crop is sown in line using a seed drill. Aseed cum fertilizer drill was developed to sow small and light fodder seed like berseem.

The design of seed drill was finalized taking in to account the crop parameters, machine parameters and operating parameters. The machine was made mounted type on 3 point hitch system having B type pin; chisel type soil opening tines; spring loaded soil opening tines; separate seed boxes for each metering mechanism; low height of metering mechanism from ground level; a separate fertilizer box with agitator; and power transmissions systems to metering mechanisms and agitators of fertilizer box.

Table S1.1 Specification of berseem seed drill

Sl. No. Component Specification

1. Power source Tractor, 33.6 kW or higher

2. Seed metering mechanism Fine fluted roller

3. Hitch system 3 point linkage with type B pin

4. Soil opening tynes Chiesel type

5. Type of tyne Spring loaded

6. Number of seed boxes 9

7. Height of seed metering mechanism from 400ground level, mm

8. Height of frame of soil opening chisel, mm 300

9. Frame type square bar

10. Height of seed box from ground level, mm 600

11. Height of fertilizer box from ground level, mm 940

12. Width of coverage, mm 1600

Berseem seed being small and light requires free flow in the seed tube and less travel to settle in the seed bed without much disturbance. Fine fluted rolls were used as metering mechanism that operated at low height to sow the small size and light weight seed of berseem. Fine fluted roll had 100 mm diameter and 10 number slots of 2 mm width. Soil opening tynes were kept flexible by making it spring loaded. This enabled sowing in soil having pebbles and small stones. Provision was kept to change metering mechanism from fine fluted roll to coarse fluted roll in the same housing. This enabled the seed drill to sow regular crops like wheat, maize and gram in addition to fine seeds like berseem, increasing the utility of machine. This seed cum fertilizer drill (Fig S1.1) was used for sowing berseem in well prepared seed bed, whereas usual practice is broadcasting of seed in wet puddled soil.

Cultivated fodder is usually sown by the method of broadcasting. In a broadcasted field, removal of weed becomes time and labour consuming. In such cases, weeding is often limited to rogging (selectively pulling up weeds by hands) due to which weeding efficiency is reduced. This problem needs more attention when the crop is taken for certified seed production, where weed removal is mandatory. Weeding is made easier and cheaper when crop is sown in line using a seed drill. Aseed cum fertilizer drill was developed to sow small and light fodder seed like berseem.

The design of seed drill was finalized taking in to account the crop parameters, machine parameters and operating parameters. The machine was made mounted type on 3 point hitch system having B type pin; chisel type soil opening tines; spring loaded soil opening tines; separate seed boxes for each metering mechanism; low height of metering mechanism from ground level; a separate fertilizer box with agitator; and power transmissions systems to metering mechanisms and agitators of fertilizer box.

Table S1.1 Specification of berseem seed drill

Sl. No. Component Specification

1. Power source Tractor, 33.6 kW or higher

2. Seed metering mechanism Fine fluted roller

3. Hitch system 3 point linkage with type B pin

4. Soil opening tynes Chiesel type

5. Type of tyne Spring loaded

6. Number of seed boxes 9

7. Height of seed metering mechanism from 400ground level, mm

8. Height of frame of soil opening chisel, mm 300

9. Frame type square bar

10. Height of seed box from ground level, mm 600

11. Height of fertilizer box from ground level, mm 940

12. Width of coverage, mm 1600

Berseem seed being small and light requires free flow in the seed tube and less travel to settle in the seed bed without much disturbance. Fine fluted rolls were used as metering mechanism that operated at low height to sow the small size and light weight seed of berseem. Fine fluted roll had 100 mm diameter and 10 number slots of 2 mm width. Soil opening tynes were kept flexible by making it spring loaded. This enabled sowing in soil having pebbles and small stones. Provision was kept to change metering mechanism from fine fluted roll to coarse fluted roll in the same housing. This enabled the seed drill to sow regular crops like wheat, maize and gram in addition to fine seeds like berseem, increasing the utility of machine. This seed cum fertilizer drill (Fig S1.1) was used for sowing berseem in well prepared seed bed, whereas usual practice is broadcasting of seed in wet puddled soil.

The seed rate of cowpea was set at recommended

60 kg/ha corresponding to which, the seed rate

obtained for sorghum was 44.2 kg/ha as against

recommended 40 kg/ha. With this seed rate,

sorghum crop needs thinning to the extent of 6 -

10 per cent. Crop is sown in paired rows of

cowpea and sorghum by filling respective seed

in the required section of compartmentalized

seed hopper. The width of coverage was 2.0 m.

Effective field capacity was 0.25 ha/h giving

58-60 per cent field efficiency with this seed

drill. Fig.S2.2 shows alternative paired rows of

cowpea and sorghum sown using the mixed

cropping enabled zero till drill.

There is a definite advantage with alternative

row sowing of Cowpea+Sorghum in mixed

cropping pattern. The yield is higher for both

green fodder (GFY: 36.9 t/ha) and dry matter

(DMY: 5.04 t/ha) compared to conventional

method (GFY: 25.4 and DMY: 3.5 t/ha) of

sowing. The other major advantage is coverage

of more area in the same time compared to other

methods of sowing.

Green fodder production requires intensive irrigation application in the field. Water conservation

in irrigation intensive cropping is cost and labour saving and also natural resource optimizing.

Raised bed sowing technique is used to sow fodder crops (oats and sorghum) and its performance

was studied in respect of saving of water resources. The water application of crop was varied

corresponding to Irrigation water/ cumulative pan evaporation ratio (IW/CPE) ratio of 1, 0.75

and 0.50. Crop production aspects were studied.

Raised bed planter is used for sowing of fodder sorghum and oats (Fig. S3.1 and S3.2). It was

adjusted for making beds of 60 cm width and furrows of 30 cm width. It makes two raised beds

and three furrows in single pass of operation.

Effective width of operation with this machine is 1.8 m with field capacity of 0.15 ha/h. Water

conservation in raised bed and furrow system of plantation with 50% deficit irrigation (IW/CPE

ratio 0.5) produces relatively less green fodder yield (9% less), but saves 50% irrigation with a 3

water productivity of 6.82 kg/m when compared to no deficit irrigation. Oats (JHO 822) yield

increases in green fodder by 10.5% apart from saving in irrigation of 50%. Raised bed and furrow

system with CPE 0.5 (50 per cent deficit irrigation) is recommended for oats (JHO 822).

S.3 Raised bed planter for fodder crops

Fig.S2.1 Mixed cropping enabled seed cum fertilizer drill

Fig.S2.2 Cowpea+sorghum sown by mixed cropping enabled seed cum fertilizer drill

The seed yield increases to 4.2 q/ha in the berseem sown using seed cum fertilizer drill as against 1.8 q/ha in the berseem field sown by broadcasting. This is due to better weed management in the line sown crop.

In fodder production, often the requirement is to grow the crop in mixed cropping pattern in large fields. A seed cum fertilizer drill was taken to enable it sowing in mixed cropping pattern. This was tractor (26.1 kW) operated seed cum fertilizer drill having 11 inverted T type tines, adjustable fluted roll mechanism to regulate flow of seeds, adjustable orifice gravity type fertilizer box with agitator and ground wheel. In mixed cropping system, it was required to flow and regulate different seed from different metering mechanism. It was done by dividing seed hopper of the machine in different sections and filling required seed in respective section. Sectioning of seed hopper was done such that it formed a complete open chamber for each seed metering unit and no mixing of seed took place between any two sections. Mild steel (m.s.) sheet of trapezoidal shape (140x255x220x295 mm) was used for sectioning in a notch fixed on the internal side of seed box. Partitioning m.s. sheets could be removed when a single crop like wheat is sown. This partitioned hopper seed cum fertilizer drill (Fig. S2.1)was used to sow fodder crops cowpea and sorghum in mixed cropping system to form paired rows of cowpea and sorghum in the field.

In using this seed cum fertilizer drill, row to row distance between lines was kept at 40 cm. Seed rate of berseem was kept at 10±0.4 kg/ha, whereas usual seed area is 30 kg/ha. Plant population in the field sown by seed drill was

296-128 /m whereas in the broadcasted field, it

2was 102-198 /m ; 15 days after sowing. Line sowing of crop allowed manual weeding in between two rows of crop. Manual spade weeding was done once, 22 days after sowing. Figs S1.2and S1.3show line sown berseem crop using berseem seed drill. Fig.S1.1 Berseem sowing using berseem seed drill

Fig.S1.2 Berseem sown by seed drill Fig. S1.3 Line sown berseem crop

The seed rate of cowpea was set at recommended

60 kg/ha corresponding to which, the seed rate

obtained for sorghum was 44.2 kg/ha as against

recommended 40 kg/ha. With this seed rate,

sorghum crop needs thinning to the extent of 6 -

10 per cent. Crop is sown in paired rows of

cowpea and sorghum by filling respective seed

in the required section of compartmentalized

seed hopper. The width of coverage was 2.0 m.

Effective field capacity was 0.25 ha/h giving

58-60 per cent field efficiency with this seed

drill. Fig.S2.2 shows alternative paired rows of

cowpea and sorghum sown using the mixed

cropping enabled zero till drill.

There is a definite advantage with alternative

row sowing of Cowpea+Sorghum in mixed

cropping pattern. The yield is higher for both

green fodder (GFY: 36.9 t/ha) and dry matter

(DMY: 5.04 t/ha) compared to conventional

method (GFY: 25.4 and DMY: 3.5 t/ha) of

sowing. The other major advantage is coverage

of more area in the same time compared to other

methods of sowing.

Green fodder production requires intensive irrigation application in the field. Water conservation

in irrigation intensive cropping is cost and labour saving and also natural resource optimizing.

Raised bed sowing technique is used to sow fodder crops (oats and sorghum) and its performance

was studied in respect of saving of water resources. The water application of crop was varied

corresponding to Irrigation water/ cumulative pan evaporation ratio (IW/CPE) ratio of 1, 0.75

and 0.50. Crop production aspects were studied.

Raised bed planter is used for sowing of fodder sorghum and oats (Fig. S3.1 and S3.2). It was

adjusted for making beds of 60 cm width and furrows of 30 cm width. It makes two raised beds

and three furrows in single pass of operation.

Effective width of operation with this machine is 1.8 m with field capacity of 0.15 ha/h. Water

conservation in raised bed and furrow system of plantation with 50% deficit irrigation (IW/CPE

ratio 0.5) produces relatively less green fodder yield (9% less), but saves 50% irrigation with a 3

water productivity of 6.82 kg/m when compared to no deficit irrigation. Oats (JHO 822) yield

increases in green fodder by 10.5% apart from saving in irrigation of 50%. Raised bed and furrow

system with CPE 0.5 (50 per cent deficit irrigation) is recommended for oats (JHO 822).

S.3 Raised bed planter for fodder crops

Fig.S2.1 Mixed cropping enabled seed cum fertilizer drill

Fig.S2.2 Cowpea+sorghum sown by mixed cropping enabled seed cum fertilizer drill

The seed yield increases to 4.2 q/ha in the berseem sown using seed cum fertilizer drill as against 1.8 q/ha in the berseem field sown by broadcasting. This is due to better weed management in the line sown crop.

In fodder production, often the requirement is to grow the crop in mixed cropping pattern in large fields. A seed cum fertilizer drill was taken to enable it sowing in mixed cropping pattern. This was tractor (26.1 kW) operated seed cum fertilizer drill having 11 inverted T type tines, adjustable fluted roll mechanism to regulate flow of seeds, adjustable orifice gravity type fertilizer box with agitator and ground wheel. In mixed cropping system, it was required to flow and regulate different seed from different metering mechanism. It was done by dividing seed hopper of the machine in different sections and filling required seed in respective section. Sectioning of seed hopper was done such that it formed a complete open chamber for each seed metering unit and no mixing of seed took place between any two sections. Mild steel (m.s.) sheet of trapezoidal shape (140x255x220x295 mm) was used for sectioning in a notch fixed on the internal side of seed box. Partitioning m.s. sheets could be removed when a single crop like wheat is sown. This partitioned hopper seed cum fertilizer drill (Fig. S2.1)was used to sow fodder crops cowpea and sorghum in mixed cropping system to form paired rows of cowpea and sorghum in the field.

In using this seed cum fertilizer drill, row to row distance between lines was kept at 40 cm. Seed rate of berseem was kept at 10±0.4 kg/ha, whereas usual seed area is 30 kg/ha. Plant population in the field sown by seed drill was

296-128 /m whereas in the broadcasted field, it

2was 102-198 /m ; 15 days after sowing. Line sowing of crop allowed manual weeding in between two rows of crop. Manual spade weeding was done once, 22 days after sowing. Figs S1.2and S1.3show line sown berseem crop using berseem seed drill. Fig.S1.1 Berseem sowing using berseem seed drill

Fig.S1.2 Berseem sown by seed drill Fig. S1.3 Line sown berseem crop

Fig.S3.1 Raised bed planting Fig.S3.2 Fodder oats cultivated in raised bed system

3. Weed (W) Control Machines3. Weed (W) Control Machines

Table S3.1 Specifications of raised bed planter

Sl. No. Attribute Description/ Quantity

1. Power source Tractor, 33.6 kW capacity

2. Operation Making of bed and sowing ofseeds simultaneously

3. Number of furrows formed 3

4. Number of bed formed in one operation 2

5. Seed metering mechanism Fluted roll and Inclined plate forsmall, medium & large seeds

6. Row to row distance Adjustable (10-30 cm)

7. Plant to plant distance Continuous drilling and 5 cmplanting

8. Fertilizer metering Through notched wheels

9. Depth control Through depth control wheels

10. Furrow opener Chisel type followed mould board

11. Seed cover Flat bed shaper

12. Bed former Chisel followed by wedge

Fig.S3.1 Raised bed planting Fig.S3.2 Fodder oats cultivated in raised bed system

3. Weed (W) Control Machines3. Weed (W) Control Machines

Table S3.1 Specifications of raised bed planter

2. Operation Making of bed and sowing ofseeds simultaneously

3. Number of furrows formed 3

4. Number of bed formed in one operation 2

5. Seed metering mechanism Fluted roll and Inclined plate forsmall, medium & large seeds

6. Row to row distance Adjustable (10-30 cm)

7. Plant to plant distance Continuous drilling and 5 cmplanting

8. Fertilizer metering Through notched wheels

9. Depth control Through depth control wheels

10. Furrow opener Chisel type followed mould board

11. Seed cover Flat bed shaper

12. Bed former Chisel followed by wedge

W. 1 Boom sprayer

Weed management is a challenging problem in arid and semi-arid regions. On an average, there is 20 to 30 per cent reduction in crop yield due to weed infestation. Use of weedicide in pre-emergence state of a crop is more effective and allows the crop to germinate with higher vigour. Manual or engine operated knap-sack sprayers have less coverage capacity and consume more man power to cover unit area of the field. High capacity sprayers cover more area in unit time. Pre-emergence spray of weedicide is more appropriate in case of fodder crops as weeding is usually ignored after sowing. Boom sprayer forms very small size of droplets due to high velocity air flow from the blower having advantage of spraying low volume of pesticide into a coverage area. Uniform coverage over a large area results in reduction of losses of expensive and environment sensitive chemical. A tractor operated long boom sprayer (Fig. W1.1) is useful to serve the purpose well for spraying weedicide in pre-emergence state of fodder crops. It has two types of spray arrangements being as i) long boom sprayer and ii) spray gun connected to 50 m long hose pipe.

Fig. W1.1 Air assisted boom sprayer

Table W1.1Salient features of tractor operated boom sprayer

Sl. No. Attribute Quantity/ Value

1. Source of power Tractor, 26.1 kW capacity

2. Type of boom Folded from two side

3. Width of boom while operation, m 12.5

4. No. of nozzles 20

5. Type of nozzles Hollow cone (A80 450 30 N)

6. Type of spray Hollow cone pattern

7. Controls From driver's seat

8. Pre-setting of spraying pressure From pressure regulator ondischarge line

9. Tank capacity, litre 400 litre

10. Agitator in tank Hydraulic

11. Pump Positive displace type

12. Pump power rating, kW 2.2

13. Maximum discharge from pump, lit/min 36214. Maximum pressure from the pump, Mpa 2.8 [28 kg(f)/cm )]

15. Total weight of the machine with full tank, kg 600

W. 1 Boom sprayer

Weed management is a challenging problem in arid and semi-arid regions. On an average, there is 20 to 30 per cent reduction in crop yield due to weed infestation. Use of weedicide in pre-emergence state of a crop is more effective and allows the crop to germinate with higher vigour. Manual or engine operated knap-sack sprayers have less coverage capacity and consume more man power to cover unit area of the field. High capacity sprayers cover more area in unit time. Pre-emergence spray of weedicide is more appropriate in case of fodder crops as weeding is usually ignored after sowing. Boom sprayer forms very small size of droplets due to high velocity air flow from the blower having advantage of spraying low volume of pesticide into a coverage area. Uniform coverage over a large area results in reduction of losses of expensive and environment sensitive chemical. A tractor operated long boom sprayer (Fig. W1.1) is useful to serve the purpose well for spraying weedicide in pre-emergence state of fodder crops. It has two types of spray arrangements being as i) long boom sprayer and ii) spray gun connected to 50 m long hose pipe.

Fig. W1.1 Air assisted boom sprayer

Table W1.1Salient features of tractor operated boom sprayer

1. Source of power Tractor, 26.1 kW capacity

2. Type of boom Folded from two side

3. Width of boom while operation, m 12.5

4. No. of nozzles 20

5. Type of nozzles Hollow cone (A80 450 30 N)

6. Type of spray Hollow cone pattern

7. Controls From driver's seat

8. Pre-setting of spraying pressure From pressure regulator ondischarge line

9. Tank capacity, litre 400 litre

10. Agitator in tank Hydraulic

11. Pump Positive displace type

12. Pump power rating, kW 2.2

13. Maximum discharge from pump, lit/min 36214. Maximum pressure from the pump, Mpa 2.8 [28 kg(f)/cm )]

15. Total weight of the machine with full tank, kg 600

operation compared to manual weeding and

performs operation in lesser time. An engine

operated, walk behind type power weeder (Fig.

W2.1) is useful to perform weeding in line sown

fodder crops, particularly wide spaced grasses.

The crops in which it was used for performing

weeding were 1) Guinea grass (Panicum

maximum); 2) Fulkara grass (Bothriochloa

intermedia); 3) Bahiya grass (Paspalumnotatum);

and 4) Dinanath grass (Penisetum pendicelatum).

Diesel engine operated power weeder was able to perform weeding over line sown, low height

(<20cm) crops. The metal wheels of power weeder are adjustable on hexagonal axle of the machine.

In tall heighted (>1m) crop, weeding operation is possible only when the whole machine moves

in between the rows of crop. This is useful in widely spaced (>1m) crop like Guinea. Where inter-

row cropping in between the widely spaced crop was required, power weeder is useful for land

preparation operation also (Fig. W2.2 and W2.3).

Fig.W2.1 Walk-behind type power weeder

Along with boom, one spray gun is provided

that has adjustable nozzle for spraying at short

(3-4 m) and long (12-15 m) distance in hollow

cone and jet pattern, respectively. The discharge

from jet gun varied from 2.4 to 3.6 l/min at

pressure. The field capacity from

spray gun was 0.73 ha/h. Spray gun is used to

perform road side general purpose spray. It is

also useful for spraying on high trees and

shrubs, where tractor can not run through.

Weeds compete with the main crop for vital inputs and reduce the crop productivity. Sometimes

weed infestation is so much that main crop is suppressed and the losses are accounted as high as 75 to

90 per cent. Mechanical weeding is also one of the effective methods to control the weeds. It has

added advantage of loosening the soil, conservation of moisture by mulching and aeration of soil.

Mechanical weeding can be done either manually using spade or by hoe or by engine operated

machines called as power weeders. Power weeder has higher field capacity and lower cost of

2.8 2kg(f)/cm

W. 2 Power weeder

The boom is folded in three folds while transportation to the width of 3.0 m. While operation, tank holding platform remains at a height of 750 mm to operate easily in the medium height (1 to 1.5 m) standing crop also. Pressure from nozzle of boom sprayer is variable. On high pressure small droplets are formed resulting in low volume of weedicide to cover more area.

Fig. W1.2 Pre-emergence spray from boom sprayer

Table W1.2 Field performance of boom sprayer

1. Forward speed of operation, km/h 2.5 and 3.6

2. Swath of coverage, m 12.5

3. Height of nozzles from ground level while operation, 1.8(in the centre), m

4. PTO Speed, rpm 540±10

5. Overlap between two spray mm, at the centre 120

6. Ground clearance of the tank while operation, mm 750

7. Field capacity, ha /h 3.125

8. Field efficiency, per cent 54-65

9. Effective field capacity, ha/h 1.68

10. Working pressure, Mpa 35-402

11. Discharge per nozzle, cc/min 450 at 2.8 kg(f)/cm

Table W2.1 Specification of engine operated power weeder

SI. No. Parameter Specification

1. Engine 5.9 kW capacity, diesel

2. Starting Pull rope

3. Implement Passive trailed type, shovel

4. Width of shovel, mm 70

5. Distance between two shovel Adjustable

6. Number of shovel Three

7. Type of wheel Iron wheels

9. Width of cage wheel, mm 120

10. Distance between wheels Adjustable

11. Steering Manually steered

12. Forward speed One (0.6 m/s)

13. Reverse speed Nil

14. Power transmission Through gear box (with belt and chain)

15. Clutch Idle pulley

16. Weight, dry, kg 172

operation compared to manual weeding and

performs operation in lesser time. An engine

operated, walk behind type power weeder (Fig.

W2.1) is useful to perform weeding in line sown

fodder crops, particularly wide spaced grasses.

The crops in which it was used for performing

weeding were 1) Guinea grass (Panicum

maximum); 2) Fulkara grass (Bothriochloa

intermedia); 3) Bahiya grass (Paspalumnotatum);

and 4) Dinanath grass (Penisetum pendicelatum).

Diesel engine operated power weeder was able to perform weeding over line sown, low height

(<20cm) crops. The metal wheels of power weeder are adjustable on hexagonal axle of the machine.

In tall heighted (>1m) crop, weeding operation is possible only when the whole machine moves

in between the rows of crop. This is useful in widely spaced (>1m) crop like Guinea. Where inter-

row cropping in between the widely spaced crop was required, power weeder is useful for land

preparation operation also (Fig. W2.2 and W2.3).

Fig.W2.1 Walk-behind type power weeder

Along with boom, one spray gun is provided

that has adjustable nozzle for spraying at short

(3-4 m) and long (12-15 m) distance in hollow

cone and jet pattern, respectively. The discharge

from jet gun varied from 2.4 to 3.6 l/min at

pressure. The field capacity from

spray gun was 0.73 ha/h. Spray gun is used to

perform road side general purpose spray. It is

also useful for spraying on high trees and

shrubs, where tractor can not run through.

Weeds compete with the main crop for vital inputs and reduce the crop productivity. Sometimes

weed infestation is so much that main crop is suppressed and the losses are accounted as high as 75 to

90 per cent. Mechanical weeding is also one of the effective methods to control the weeds. It has

added advantage of loosening the soil, conservation of moisture by mulching and aeration of soil.

Mechanical weeding can be done either manually using spade or by hoe or by engine operated

machines called as power weeders. Power weeder has higher field capacity and lower cost of

2.8 2kg(f)/cm

W. 2 Power weeder

The boom is folded in three folds while transportation to the width of 3.0 m. While operation, tank holding platform remains at a height of 750 mm to operate easily in the medium height (1 to 1.5 m) standing crop also. Pressure from nozzle of boom sprayer is variable. On high pressure small droplets are formed resulting in low volume of weedicide to cover more area.

Fig. W1.2 Pre-emergence spray from boom sprayer

Table W1.2 Field performance of boom sprayer

1. Forward speed of operation, km/h 2.5 and 3.6

2. Swath of coverage, m 12.5

3. Height of nozzles from ground level while operation, 1.8(in the centre), m

4. PTO Speed, rpm 540±10

5. Overlap between two spray mm, at the centre 120

6. Ground clearance of the tank while operation, mm 750

7. Field capacity, ha /h 3.125

9. Effective field capacity, ha/h 1.68

10. Working pressure, Mpa 35-402

11. Discharge per nozzle, cc/min 450 at 2.8 kg(f)/cm

Table W2.1 Specification of engine operated power weeder

SI. No. Parameter Specification

1. Engine 5.9 kW capacity, diesel

2. Starting Pull rope

3. Implement Passive trailed type, shovel

5. Distance between two shovel Adjustable

6. Number of shovel Three

7. Type of wheel Iron wheels

9. Width of cage wheel, mm 120

10. Distance between wheels Adjustable

11. Steering Manually steered

12. Forward speed One (0.6 m/s)

13. Reverse speed Nil

14. Power transmission Through gear box (with belt and chain)

15. Clutch Idle pulley

16. Weight, dry, kg 172

Table W2.2 Performance of power weeder in Guinea grass

Sl. No. Attribute Quantity

1. Row to row distance of crop, mm 1000

2. Width of wheel, mm 100

3. Distance kept between wheels (Outer), mm in guinea field 700

5. Tool angle of shovel, ° 40

6. Depth of soil cutting, mm 30-50

7. Width of cut per shovel, mm 120-150

8. Forward speed, m/s 0.57

9. Field capacity, ha/h 0.15-0.21

10. Weeding efficiency, per cent 42-66

4. Harvesting (H) Machines 4. Harvesting (H) Machines

Weeding efficiency of 52 – 66 per cent was observed in the case when single shovel operated in between two rows of crop.

Initial cost of power weeder with diesel engine was taken as Rs. 50000. Cost of operation of power weeder was Rs. 205 per hour [Method: IS 9165-1979 reaffirmed in 1992 FAD92]. Considering the field capacity of 0.15 ha/h, the cost of weeding one hectare is Rs. 1375. Manual weeding with spade costed minimum Rs. 4000 per hectare. So, the use of power weeder is advantageous, specially in wide spaced row fodder crops.

Figs W2.2 and W2.3 Power weeder in between line sown fodder crops

Table W2.2 Performance of power weeder in Guinea grass

1. Row to row distance of crop, mm 1000

2. Width of wheel, mm 100

3. Distance kept between wheels (Outer), mm in guinea field 700

5. Tool angle of shovel, ° 40

6. Depth of soil cutting, mm 30-50

7. Width of cut per shovel, mm 120-150

8. Forward speed, m/s 0.57

9. Field capacity, ha/h 0.15-0.21

10. Weeding efficiency, per cent 42-66

4. Harvesting (H) Machines 4. Harvesting (H) Machines

Weeding efficiency of 52 – 66 per cent was observed in the case when single shovel operated in between two rows of crop.

Initial cost of power weeder with diesel engine was taken as Rs. 50000. Cost of operation of power weeder was Rs. 205 per hour [Method: IS 9165-1979 reaffirmed in 1992 FAD92]. Considering the field capacity of 0.15 ha/h, the cost of weeding one hectare is Rs. 1375. Manual weeding with spade costed minimum Rs. 4000 per hectare. So, the use of power weeder is advantageous, specially in wide spaced row fodder crops.

Figs W2.2 and W2.3 Power weeder in between line sown fodder crops

Green fodder harvesting requires much more energy due to its multi-cut nature of harvesting. There are number of machines available for harvesting green fodder that can be chosen based on the requirement, type of crop, size of field and nature of crop. Vertical conveyor reaper is one such machine useful to harvest selected green fodder crop.

Table H1.1 Specification of vertical conveyor reaper

1. Power source Engine, 3.7kW capacity, diesel

2. Fodder crops suitable for Oats (Green and mature both), Sorghum (up to 1.5 m height)

3. Type Walk-behind

4. Dimension LxWxH, cm 239x147x90

5. Cutting mechanism Cutter bar registered in fingers

6. Crop conveying Two belts having flaps

7. Crop release In the left side of the machine in a windrow

8. Forward speed of travel, km/h 3.5

9. Rear speed of travel Nil

10. Cutting width, m 1.2

11. Cutting height of the crop, mm 70-150 (adjustable)

12. Field capacity, ha/h 0.25- 0.3

Vertical conveyor reaper has proven to be a good harvesting machine for harvesting of fodder crops like oats and sorghum (Fig.H1.1), that resembles wheat in harvesting parameters. The advantage being that crop in green condition could also be harvested using vertical conveyor reaper for feeding purpose.

Field capacity of vertical conveyor reaper is 0.25 ha/h. The machine is able to cut the crop from as below as 7 cm above the ground so Bhusa, an important by product of the crop is saved for the use by the farmer. The precautions for use of self-propelled reaper include operation in level field, sparsely spaced (>10 m) bunds, fields free from stones etc. The cost of harvesting using vertical conveyor reaper, tying the bundles of harvested crop in the field and staking at one place was Rs. 1830 compared to minimum Rs. 4000 per hectare with manual labour giving direct saving of Rs. 2170 per hectare along with saving in time of harvesting.

Fig. H1.1 Harvesting of wheat with vertical conveyor reaper

Green fodder harvesting requires much more energy due to its multi-cut nature of harvesting. There are number of machines available for harvesting green fodder that can be chosen based on the requirement, type of crop, size of field and nature of crop. Vertical conveyor reaper is one such machine useful to harvest selected green fodder crop.

Table H1.1 Specification of vertical conveyor reaper

1. Power source Engine, 3.7kW capacity, diesel

2. Fodder crops suitable for Oats (Green and mature both), Sorghum (up to 1.5 m height)

3. Type Walk-behind

4. Dimension LxWxH, cm 239x147x90

5. Cutting mechanism Cutter bar registered in fingers

6. Crop conveying Two belts having flaps

7. Crop release In the left side of the machine in a windrow

8. Forward speed of travel, km/h 3.5

9. Rear speed of travel Nil

10. Cutting width, m 1.2

11. Cutting height of the crop, mm 70-150 (adjustable)

12. Field capacity, ha/h 0.25- 0.3

Vertical conveyor reaper has proven to be a good harvesting machine for harvesting of fodder crops like oats and sorghum (Fig.H1.1), that resembles wheat in harvesting parameters. The advantage being that crop in green condition could also be harvested using vertical conveyor reaper for feeding purpose.

Field capacity of vertical conveyor reaper is 0.25 ha/h. The machine is able to cut the crop from as below as 7 cm above the ground so Bhusa, an important by product of the crop is saved for the use by the farmer. The precautions for use of self-propelled reaper include operation in level field, sparsely spaced (>10 m) bunds, fields free from stones etc. The cost of harvesting using vertical conveyor reaper, tying the bundles of harvested crop in the field and staking at one place was Rs. 1830 compared to minimum Rs. 4000 per hectare with manual labour giving direct saving of Rs. 2170 per hectare along with saving in time of harvesting.

Fig. H1.1 Harvesting of wheat with vertical conveyor reaper

Table H3.2 Performance of engine operated fodder harvester

Sl. No. Attribute Details

1. Crop Berseem, lucerne

2. Height of cut, mm 50-70

3. Width of cut, mm 1200st

4. Forward speed, in I gear, m/s 1.1

5. Field capacity, ha/h 0.3

6. Fuel consumption, litre/h 1.0

Engine operated riding type fodder harvester (Figs H3.1 and H3.2) is provided as an attachment to reaper-binder machine on additional costs. It has a cutter bar for harvesting green fodder and windrower for making rows of harvested fodder. The fodder can later be raked manually and collected for putting in the trolley. Cutter bar mechanism with sitting arrangement allows covering more fields in harvesting of fodder.

Table H3.1 Specifications of riding type fodder harvester

SI. No. Item Details

1. Power source Engine, 7.5 kW capacity, diesel, air cooled

2. Operation Harvesting of crop, making windrow, leaving in the field

3. Crop suitable for harvesting Berseem, Lucerne

4. Cutting width, mm 1200

5. Windrower device Wooden sticks fixed in pipes to allow flow of harvested material in a row

H.2 Engine operated riding type reaper binder

Reaper binder harvests the crop in field, binds it in bundle and leaves the bundles in the field. The bundles of crop are collected later and fed in to the thresher directly. This machine is more useful as it performs one more set of operation compared to vertical conveyor reaper that is making bundles. This saves labour in collection of harvested crop and making bundles. The machine has two pneumatic wheels on which whole mechanism is mounted and one support wheel. Above support wheel, there is operator seat and all the controls of the machine are given from operator seat. When operator sits on the seat, mass transfer occurs on the support wheels and this wheel is used for steering of the machine in motion.

Table H2.1 Features of operation with reaper-binder

SI. No. Attribute Details

2. Dimensions, LxW, cm 360x185

3. Crop suitable for harvesting Wheat, Oat, Paddy, Sorghum (up to 1.5 m height)

4. Height of cut, mm 50 and Adjustable up to 150

5. Width of cut, mm 1200

6. No. of speeds 4 forward and 1 rear

7. Forward speed, in Ist gear, m/s 1.1

10. Weight of the bundle, kg 4.5 to 5.5

11. Weight of the machine, kg 400

The harvesting and binding with the machine cost was Rs. 1580 per hectare compared to Rs. 4000 per hectare with manual labour. The saving in cost of operation as compared to conventional method was Rs. 2420/ha along with saving in scarce labour.

Figs H2.1 and H2.2 Harvesting operation with reaper-binder

Fig. H3.1 Oat harvesting with engine operated fodder harvester

Fig. H3.2 Berseem windrows made by engine operated fodder harvester

Fodder harvesting attachment of reaper-binder is a useful machine for soft forage crop like berseem and lucerne. Near the bunds, where there jerk comes on cutter bar blade and driving seat, some running length of field (up to 1.0 m) is left uncut. So, when using this machine, field

Table H3.2 Performance of engine operated fodder harvester

Sl. No. Attribute Details

1. Crop Berseem, lucerne

2. Height of cut, mm 50-70

3. Width of cut, mm 1200st

4. Forward speed, in I gear, m/s 1.1

Engine operated riding type fodder harvester (Figs H3.1 and H3.2) is provided as an attachment to reaper-binder machine on additional costs. It has a cutter bar for harvesting green fodder and windrower for making rows of harvested fodder. The fodder can later be raked manually and collected for putting in the trolley. Cutter bar mechanism with sitting arrangement allows covering more fields in harvesting of fodder.

Table H3.1 Specifications of riding type fodder harvester

SI. No. Item Details

2. Operation Harvesting of crop, making windrow, leaving in the field

3. Crop suitable for harvesting Berseem, Lucerne

5. Windrower device Wooden sticks fixed in pipes to allow flow of harvested material in a row

H.2 Engine operated riding type reaper binder

Reaper binder harvests the crop in field, binds it in bundle and leaves the bundles in the field. The bundles of crop are collected later and fed in to the thresher directly. This machine is more useful as it performs one more set of operation compared to vertical conveyor reaper that is making bundles. This saves labour in collection of harvested crop and making bundles. The machine has two pneumatic wheels on which whole mechanism is mounted and one support wheel. Above support wheel, there is operator seat and all the controls of the machine are given from operator seat. When operator sits on the seat, mass transfer occurs on the support wheels and this wheel is used for steering of the machine in motion.

Table H2.1 Features of operation with reaper-binder

SI. No. Attribute Details

2. Dimensions, LxW, cm 360x185

3. Crop suitable for harvesting Wheat, Oat, Paddy, Sorghum (up to 1.5 m height)

4. Height of cut, mm 50 and Adjustable up to 150

5. Width of cut, mm 1200

6. No. of speeds 4 forward and 1 rear

7. Forward speed, in Ist gear, m/s 1.1

10. Weight of the bundle, kg 4.5 to 5.5

11. Weight of the machine, kg 400

The harvesting and binding with the machine cost was Rs. 1580 per hectare compared to Rs. 4000 per hectare with manual labour. The saving in cost of operation as compared to conventional method was Rs. 2420/ha along with saving in scarce labour.

Figs H2.1 and H2.2 Harvesting operation with reaper-binder

Fig. H3.1 Oat harvesting with engine operated fodder harvester

Fig. H3.2 Berseem windrows made by engine operated fodder harvester

Fodder harvesting attachment of reaper-binder is a useful machine for soft forage crop like berseem and lucerne. Near the bunds, where there jerk comes on cutter bar blade and driving seat, some running length of field (up to 1.0 m) is left uncut. So, when using this machine, field

Cutter bar fodder harvester served well for harvesting berseem, a soft stemmed fodder crop. Figs

H4.1 and H4.2 show tractor operated cutter bar harvester in operation for harvesting berseem.

Operation of this machine requires first cutting of the crop of 1 m width using manual labour

(Head land harvesting). The field requires being in dry state where tractor can run properly and it

does not sink. The width of operation observed in the field was 1.8 m. The field efficiency was in

the range of 60-72 per cent. Actual field capacity was in the range of 0.25 to 0.3 ha/h. While

operation, two persons were required to rake the crop in order to clear the path for the next run of

the tractor. It gave harvesting efficiency of 98 per cent. The machine was able to accommodate

well on the bunds of height up to 25 cm. Two men were required along with the tractor operator to

rake the harvested crop so as to free the path of movement of tractor.

Table H5.1 Specifications of hand held range grass cutter used as range fodder harvester

Sl. No. Attribute Specification

1. Purpose Cutting of fodder and grasses on undulated lands

2. Type Hand held, hanged on shoulders

3. Engine 4000 rpm, 2 stroke petrol engine

4. Cutting Spinning cutting element

5. Cutters Nylon rope for lawns3 tooth blade for granes like guinea80 tooth serrated plate for harvesting hard plants

6. Attachment Crop guide for making windrows

7. Weight, kg 19.2 kg, dry

8. Direction controls Hand levers

9. Engine speed control Attached in hand levers

10. Weight of the machine On shoulders while operation

Table H4.1 Specifications of tractor operated cutter bar type fodder harvester

1. Power source Tractor, 26.1 kW capacity or higher

2. Overall length, width and height 3.2 x 0.7 x 1.4 of the machine, m with cutter bar in open condition

3. Overall height of the machine while 2.2transport with cutter bar in folded condition, m

4. Minimum height of cut available 100 (Adjustable higher heights) from machine, mm

5. PTO speed, rpm 540±10

6. Offset of the reciprocating link 4 driving pulley from the center, cm

7. Number of strokes of cutter bar 710±15per minute

8. Harvesting mechanism Shearing blade registered in cutting fingers

9. Suitable for crops Berseem, Stylo grass, any other green soft forage crop, general purpose lawn

10. Type of blade High carbon alloy, serrated blades

11. Total length of the cutter bar, cm 200st nd12. Speed of operation, m/s 0.9 to 2.0 in 1 (low) or 2 (low) gear of

operation)

Fig. H4.1 Tractor operated cutter bar harvester Fig. H4.2 Harvesting of berseem using cutter bar fodder harvester

There are number of machines to harvest fodder in cultivated lands. But often availability of fodder is there in range lands where a heavy machine or tractor cannot go. So, a machine was needed to recover the fodder from such land where operation of heavier machines is not possible. A hand held grass cutter is used well to harvest fodder from such undulated lands. This machine was commercially available.

should be well levelled and bunds should be made at longer distances. Also it is advisable to operate the machine after to 5-6 days of irrigation in the field.

Tractor operated cutter bar type fodder harvester consists of a reciprocating cutter bar operated by tractor PTO in rear offset of the tractor. The machine is mounted on a frame attached by 3 point hydraulic linkage of tractor.

Hand held grass cutter is hanged on the shoulder with the help of belts and strips and weight of machine is lifted by a hook attached at the lower portion of belt. The machine hangs freely and can be moved in any direction using hand levers. It uses a small spark ignition engine driven by petrol. Engine power drives a shaft which drives rotary cutting element.

Three types of blades were used for harvesting.

1) Nylone wire for lawn cutting