Volume 38 Number 3 July/August/September 1996 · CSAE/SCGR gratefully acknowledges the financial...

14
c S A E s C G R The Journal of the Canadian Society of Agricultural Engineering La Revue de la Societe Canadienne du Genie Rural CAE 38(3) 149-239 (1996) CN ISS '0045-432X Soil aud lVater MODELLING COOL SEASON SOIL WATER EROSION ON A FINE SA 'DY LOAM SOIL IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND J.R. Burney and Linnell NI. E(l\vards . Power aud /\llachinery 149 167 QUANTIFICATION OF MECHANICAL FORAGE CONDITIONING BY COMPRESSIBILITY P. Savoie. M. Roberge and D. Tremblay 157 A TEST BENCH FOR VACUUMING INSECTS FROM PLANTS R. Chagnon '.II1e1 C. Vincent . APPLICATION OF UNSAT RATED SOIL MECHANICS FOR AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS D. \Vulfsohn. B.A. Adams and D.G. r:'rcdlund 173 Energy anti l'rOl:essing COMPARISON AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSES OF MODELS FOR SIMULATI 'G AERATION OF STORED WHEAT R. Sinieio and W.E. Muir 183 COMPRESSION CHARACTERISTICS OF ALFALFA CUBES R.T. PatiL S. Sokhans'.lIlj, M.H. Khoslaghaz41 and L.G. Tabil. Jr .. SIZE AND SI·JAPE RELATED CHARACTERISTICS OF ALFALFA GRIND W. Yang. S. Sokhansilllj. W.J. Crerar and S. Rohani . Structures lind Environment EVALUATION OF METHODS TO MEAS RE THE PERFORMANCE OF PERFORATED VENTILATION DUCTS K. EI S.F. Barrington and B.G. Ncwm'lIl . 195 201 207 RESPIRAIlLE DUST CONTROL IN A SCALE-MODEL HORSE STABLE USING FILTRATION AND MECHANICAL VENTILATION A.P. Dunlca and V.A. Dodd 215 Technical Note RESPONSE OF COLORADO POTATO BEETLES ON POTATO LEA VES TO MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS G. Boilc<lu and G.C. 'liscncr 223 ABSTRACTS . 229 Volume 38 Number 3 July/August/September 1996

Transcript of Volume 38 Number 3 July/August/September 1996 · CSAE/SCGR gratefully acknowledges the financial...

cSAE

sCGR

The Journal of the Canadian Society of Agricultural EngineeringLa Revue de la Societe Canadienne du Genie Rural

CAE 38(3) 149-239 (1996)CN ISS '0045-432X

Soil aud lVater

MODELLING COOL SEASON SOIL WATER EROSION ON A FINE SA 'DYLOAM SOIL IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

J.R. Burney and Linnell NI. E(l\vards .

Power aud /\llachinery

149

167

QUANTIFICATION OF MECHANICAL FORAGE CONDITIONING BY COMPRESSIBILITYP. Savoie. M. Roberge and D. Tremblay 157

A TEST BENCH FOR VACUUMING INSECTS FROM PLANTSR. Chagnon '.II1e1 C. Vincent .

APPLICATION OF UNSAT RATED SOIL MECHANICS FOR AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONSD. \Vulfsohn. B.A. Adams and D.G. r:'rcdlund 173

Energy anti l'rOl:essing

COMPARISON AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSES OF MODELS FOR SIMULATI 'GAERATION OF STORED WHEAT

R. Sinieio and W.E. Muir 183

COMPRESSION CHARACTERISTICS OF ALFALFA CUBESR.T. PatiL S. Sokhans'.lIlj, M.H. Khoslaghaz41 and L.G. Tabil. Jr ..

SIZE AND SI·JAPE RELATED CHARACTERISTICS OF ALFALFA GRINDW. Yang. S. Sokhansilllj. W.J. Crerar and S. Rohani .

Structures lind Environment

EVALUATION OF METHODS TO MEAS RE THE PERFORMANCE OFPERFORATED VENTILATION DUCTS

K. EI ~1oucddcb. S.F. Barrington and B.G. Ncwm'lIl .

195

201

207

RESPIRAIlLE DUST CONTROL IN A SCALE-MODEL HORSE STABLE USING FILTRATIONAND MECHANICAL VENTILATION

A.P. Dunlca and V.A. Dodd 215

Technical Note

RESPONSE OF COLORADO POTATO BEETLES ON POTATO LEA VES TOMECHANICAL VIBRATIONS

G. Boilc<lu and G.C. 'liscncr 223

ABSTRACTS . 229

Volume 38 Number 3 July/August/September 1996

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING1996

July/August/SeptemberVolume 38, Number 3

EDITOR

J.J.R. FeddesDepartment of Agricultural, Food

and Nutritional ScienceUniversity of Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

R.L. KUSHWAHA(Power & Machinery)Department of Agricultural

and Bioresource EngineeringUniversity of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A9

JJ.LEONARD(Structures & Environment)Department of Agricultural. Food

and Nutritional ScienceUniversity of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5

S.F. BARRINGTON(Waste Management)Department of Agricultural and

Biosystems EngineeringMacdonald College of McGill UniversitySte. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9

H.STEPPUHN(Soil & Water)Semiarid Prairie Agricultural

Research CentreAgriculture and Agri-Food CanadaBox 1030Swift Current, Saskatchewan S9H 3X2

CSAE COUNCIL 1996-97

D.S.JAYAS(Food Engineering/Energy & Procesing)Department of Biosystems EngineeringUmversity of ManitobaWinnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5V6

L. GAUTHIER(Information & Computer Technologies)Departement des sols et de genie agroalimentaireUmversite LavalSainte-Foy, Quebec G IK 7P4

President

V. LALONDE British ColumbiaB.C. Ministry of Agriculture.

Fisheries and Food457 McCallum RoadAbbotsford, British Columbia V2S 8A1

D.I. NORUM SecretaryDepartment of Agricultural and

Bioresource EngineeringUniversity of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A9

R. D. MacDONALD TreasurerAGVIRO Inc.14 Univeristy Ave. W.Guelph. Ontario NIGIN I

J.J.R. FEDDES EditorDepartment of Agricultural. Food

and Nutritional ScienceUniversity of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5

REGIONAL DIRECTORS

JJ.LEONARDDepartment of Agricultural. Food

and Nutritional ScienceUniversity of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5

K.C. WATTS Past PresidentDepartment of Agricultural EngineeringTechnical University of Nova ScotiaHalifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2X4

S.F. BARRINGTON Presidem-ElectDepartment of Agricultural and

Biosystems EngineeringMacdonald College of McGill UniversitySte. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9

R.L. KUSHWAHA Vice-Presidem (Technical)Department of Agricultural

and Bioresource EngineeringUniversity of Saskatchewan57 Campus DriveSaskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A9

J.C. JOFRIET Vice-President (Regional)School of EngineeringUniversity of GuelphGuelph, Ontario N IG 2W I

M.V. ELIASONAlberta Agriculture, Food and

Rural Development7000 - I I3th StreetEdmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6

Alberta

M.E. JORGENSON SaskatchewanConfinement Engineering Ltd.P.O. Box 2500Humboldt, Saskatchewan SOK 2AO

S. CENKOWSKI ManitobaDepartment of Biosystems EngineeringUmversity of ManitobaWinnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5V6

H.K. HOUSE OntarioOntario Ministry of Agriculture

and FoodBox 159Clinton, Ontario NOM ILO

O. MENARD QuebecMAPAQ3230 Rue Sicotte CP40St-Hyacinthe, Quebec 12S 7B2

KJ. SIBLEY AtlamicSibley Engineering8 Wharf RoadGreat Village, Nova Scotia BOM ILO

CSAE/SCGR gratefully acknowledges the financial support received from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to publish thisjournal.

Canadian Agricultural Engineering publishes papers covering the general fields of Agricultural, Food, and Biosystems Engineering that fit into one of the followingclassifications: (1) a scientific paper based on original research: (2) a technical paper based on design, development. testing or analysis of machines, equipment,structures, processes, or practice; (3) a general paper on education relative to curricula and philosophy or trends in science, on a surveyor investigation of somephase of research or research methods, or on extension or extension methods.

Manuscripts for publication should be submitted to the Editor. The papers must be original and must have not been published elsewhere in a refereed publicationor copyrighted. The author, not the CSAE/SCGR, is responsible for opinions expressed. Information published in Canadian Agricultural Engineering may bequoted in whole or in part provided that credit is given to the author and to the journal. Publication charges are $75/page plus cost of translation. if required. Reprintcharges are $16/page for 100 copies.

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ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE CSAE!SCGR CONFERENCE, LETHBRIDGE, AB, JULY 1996Copies of papers are available for US$3.50 each for CSAE-SCGR/ASAE members ($5.00 for non-members) plus $2.50

handling per order from ASAE, 2950 Niles Road, S1. Joseph, MI 49085-9659.

96-100. CANADA'S SALT TOLERANCE TESTINGLABORATORYH. Steppuhn, M. Stumborg, Semiarid Prairie AgriculturalResearch Centre, Swift Current, SK; and D. Chevalier, Leth­bridge Research Centre, Lethbridge, AB

Soil salinity refers to a state where dissolved constituents ininterstitial water concentrate beyond the needs of the plantsrooted in the soil. Salinity levels in western Canadian soils canrange from very slight to very severe within a few metres. Suchvariability makes it impossible to evaluate the salt tolerance ofcrops in the field. Engineers have overcome this difficulty byfabricating an environmentally-controlled testing facility.Plants growing in sand tanks (0.0 I and 0.65 m3) and irrigatedwith hydroponics can be evaluated from emergence throughmaturity. A programable logic controller actuates the lighting,heating, ventilation, irrigation, and maintenance of brine con­centrations. Salt tolerance response functions have beendetermined for wheat, barley, alfalfa, kochia, quinoa, andforage grasses. The facility can serve private companies andproducer organizations through the Western Region BusinessDevelopment Office of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

96-101. SIMULATION OF GROUND WATER FLOWWITH MODFLOW FOR OPTIMIZING THE HYDRAU­LIC CONDUCTIVITY IN THE PORTNEUF REGION,QUEBECY. Chen and J. Gallichand, Departement des sols et de genieagroalimentaire, Universite Laval, Quebec, QC

Hydraulic conductivity is required as an input for manyhydrology models, in particular groundwater flow and con­taminant transport models. In this study, MODFLOW, afinite-difference model, was used to simulate steady-state,three-dimensional groundwater flow for determining hydrau­lic properties of a complex aquifer. The study area, anintensive potato farming region of 339 km2, has irregularhorizontal and vertical boundaries. Because the aquifer systemis composed of a variable geohydrologic formation and wa­tertable depths vary over the entire zone, the groundwater flowmodel with two different meshes was discussed in this study.Model inputs, such as pervious layer depths and watertabledepths, were derived from a data base of over 500 observationwells in the area. Materials of the aquifer were grouped as twodominant geohydrologic units. To each unit, a single hydraulicconductivity value was assigned. These two hydraulic conduc­tivity values were optimized using observed watertableelevations. Results indicate that grouping of aquifer materialsas geohydrologic units can simplify model calibration andproduce simlliated hydraulic heads close to field observations.The use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to expediteassembly of input was able to quickly and accurately changelarge sets of spatial data and enhance the model calibrationprocess.

96-102. AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT: A SOCIO­TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS. Tessier l , R. Landry2, P. Levallois3, J. Rouffignat4, C.Chiasson2, and L. Chenard I, ISols et genie agroalimentaire,2Sciences politiques, 3Centre de sante publique, and 4Geographie,

Universite Laval, Quebec, QCEnvironment quality in agricultural ecosystems and rural

communities cannot be defined only in terms of quantitativecriteria, threshold values, or environmental indicators, butshould also account for the opinion of the other users of theenvironment, the general public. This is illustrated in one casestudy were the growing conflicts between producers and otherland users have few solution paths. Land use for potato pro­duction represents under 1% of the Portneuf county (Quebec)agricultural ecosystem area (southern part). Yet, the negativeperception of the potato production's impacts on groundwaterpollution in Portneuf was the basis for intensive monitoring ofprivate well-water quality and the uprise of political pressuregroups against potato producers. Conversely, well-water qual­ity surveys indicate that very few wells are affected. Thegeneral public show an awareness of environmental issues, as69% of the surveyed respondents are concerned about thesematters. A majority of the respondents (33%) see nothingwrong with their environment, while 22% indicated a concernabout surface water quality and 16% with air quality comparedto only 4% for groundwater quality. Concerned individualswould identify agriculture as a likely cause only after indus­trial activities and residential wastes (septic tank sludge).Nevertheless, individuals can be lead to readily accuse agricul­ture and potato production as having a major impact ongroundwater quality. These concerns and the notion of risk areaccounted in a new definition of environment quality.

96-103. LARGE HORSEPOWER SINGLE PHASE"WRITTEN POLE" MOTORSD.R. St. George I, D.R. Friesen2 and R.H. Janzen I, IManitobaHydro, Brandon, MB and 2Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg, MB

Manitoba Hydro is participating in a project to develop alarge horsepower single phase motor based on the "WrittenPole" concept. The "Written Pole" technology will enable loadsfrom 20 to 100 horsepower to be started and operated on singlephase powerlines without the power quality problems associatedwith conventional single phase motors. The primary benefits willbe the costs avoided with extending three phase service.

96-104. A COMPARISON OF SITE IMPACTS OF TWOFOREST CLEARCUT SYSTEMSE. Richardson, D. Wulfsohn, Agricultural and BioresourceEngineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK andE. Phillips, Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada,Vancouver, BC

Site impacts resulting from conventional and mechanicaltimber systems operating in North-Central Saskatchewan werecompared. Site impact type and area impacted were similar inboth harvesting systems, with both systems impacting 51 % ofthe study area. Excessive compaction was found on about 15%of the site. Rutting depth was larger for the mechanical system.Increases in dry bulk density were significant to a depth of 300mm in disturbances caused by both systems. Roadside proc­essing in the mechanical system concentrated slash near thelandings leaving most of the site with low amounts of slash.Slash was evenly distributed on the conventional site whichhas implications for natural regeneration.

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING Vol. 38. No.3. July/August/September 1996 229

96-105. VISUAL EVALUATION OF SEALING ANDSOIL PORE ALTERATION BENEATH PONDED HOGMANUREG. Majumdar, D. Wulfsohn, C.P. Maule, Department ofAgricultural & Bioresource Engineering, and A.R. Mermut,Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon, SK

A concern with hog manure earthen storages is that leakageof dissolved solids from manure may pose a risk of groundwater contamination. Leakage from anaerobic manure storagescan be reduced due to the formation of a 5 to 7 mm organic sealthat forms at the soil surface. However, it is unknown whetherseal penetrates into the soil matrix or the soil pores are alteredanyway physically or chemically. A laboratory study of soilcolumns with seven different textures with manure pondingwas used to investigate these questions. At the end of theexperiment, columns were impregnated with resin, -then thinsections were prepared for visual analysis. This paper reportson the visual analysis of six-month-old columns in the contextof the hydraulic conductivity and microstructure. The resultsindicate that clay soils have greater manure particle retentioncapacity as compared to sandy soils. It was found that claysoils were able to contain most of the manure solids within 30-40 mm of their surface soils. The microscopic observationsrevealed that for clay soils most of the flow reduction tookplace in the seal and top 30 - 40 mm of the surface soils, whichis also supported by hydraulic conductivity data.

96-107. FALL SEASON SOIL TEMPERATURES UNDERCONVENTIONAL AND NO-TILLAGET.R. Coates and C.P. Maule, Department of Agricultural andBioresource Engineering, University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon, SK

Agricultural practices directly impact soil temperatures duelargely to the manipulation of the soil surface layer. Thephysical nature of this interface between soil and atmospheredetermines to what extent atmospheric conditions will influ­ence the temperature underground. With minimum tillagepractices leaving more residues at the surface, it is vital tounderstand the effect of varying surface conditions upon thethermal regime. No-till and conventional till plots under stub­ble and fallow conditions were monitored in a heavy clay soilnear Saskatoon, SK. Measurements commenced directly afterharvest when residues were fresh and formed the active sur­face in the energy balance. The dominant factor governing thethermal regime was the nature of the surface with no-till andconventional-till soils exhibiting similar regimes for similarsurface conditions. Differences in thermal diffusivity wereascribed to non-uniform moisture conditions with conven­tional-till plots being generally drier and slightly warmer thanno-till plots.

96-108. INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC MATTER ON SOILPHYSICAL PROPERTIES - A REVIEWK. Sharifat and R.L. Kushwaha, Agricultural & BioresourceEngineering Department, University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon, SK

Influence of organic matter on soil physical and chemicalproperties and consequently on crop production is significant.Organic matter improves soil structure and fertility level. Itplays a major role in moisture retention and in stabilizing soilstructure. Oxidation of organic matter releases significant nu­trients and the level of organic matter also determines the

amount of fertilizer that can be applied. Organic matter alsoinfluences soil compaction and soil shear characteristics. Thisre~iew looks into the degree of these influences on soil prop­erties.

96-109. IMAGING AND ANALYSIS OF THE PORESTRUCTURE OF UNDISTURBED SOIL COLUMNS BYX-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHYJ.S. Perret, H. Pizarro, S.O. Prasher, Department of Agri­cultural and Biosystems Engineering, McGill University,Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC; A. Kantzas, Department ofChemical and Petroleum Engineering; and C. Langford,Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB

Computer Assisted Tomography (CAT scanning) has pro­vided a new and exciting method for reliable andnon-destructive in-situ characterization of macropores occur­ring in agricultural soils. This technique was used to evaluatevarious macropore parameters (Le., number of macropores perunit area, diameter, orientation, continuity, circularity andtortuosity) of several undisturbed soil columns extracted froma loamy sand field in Central Canada. This paper provides adetailed representation of the spatial variations of intercon­necting macropore structures of four soil columns used in thisstudy.

96-200. SOLUTE MIGRATION BENEATH EARTHENHOG MANURE STORAGES IN SASKATCHEWAN: AFIELD INVESTIGATIONT.A. Fonstad and C.P. Maule, Department of Agriculturaland Bioresource Engineering, University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon, SK

Six earthen hog manure storages were investigated for sol­ute concentrations with depth below the storage and distancefrom the storage. The manure storages ranged in age from fourto twenty years. Solute concentrations were detected to depthsof 8 m in coarse textured soils over alluvial floodplain depositsand to depths of 2 m in glacial clay till deposits after twentyyears of operation. Liner materials subjected to freeze-thawcycles did not appear to be effective in containing manure eventhough the liner material contained over 15% clay. Anionconcentrations were detected to depths greater than were cat­ions concentrations.

96-201. THE SEALING OF NON-WOVEN GEOTEX­TILES WITH CATTLE SLURRIESS. Barrington, K. EI Moueddeb, Agricultural and Biosys­terns Engineering, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue,QC; and M. Dussault, Agriculture, Pecheries et AlimentationQuebec, Quebec, QC

Three non-woven needle punched folyester geotextiles withthe same hydraulic conductivity (10- m/s) but with a differentaverage pore size (13.4, 19.5, and 26.0 J..lm) were exposed to a3.6 m head of 7.5% TS (total solids) cattle manure in labora­tory columns. The best performing of these three geotextileswas exposed to I, 2, and 4% TS cattle manure. The resultinginfiltration rates were used to establish the effect of geotextilepore size and manure TS on geotextile sealing and to find thelocation of the seal, whether at the surface or within the geotex­tile. The results indicated that the lowest infiltration rate of 1.1L.m-2.d-1 was reached with the 13.4 J..lm average pore sizegeotextile. The TS of the manure had a marked effect on thesealing and at least 4% TS is required to reach the full sealingcapacity of the geotextile. The geotextile clogging was located

230 Vol. 38. No.3. July/August/September 1996 ABSTRACTS

within its pores suggesting that the seal remains even afterremoving the manure. To design an earthen manure reservoirlined with a non-woven geotextile, a drainage bed must bebuilt under the structure with sufficient slope and drains tocollect most of the limited geotextile seepage.

96-202. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF IN­TENSIVE LIVESTOCK OPERATIONSG.G. Gillund, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Develop­ment, Smoky Lake, AB; B. Kennedy, Alberta Agriculture,Food and Rural Development, Vermilion, AB; R. Coleman,Alberta Environmental Centre, Vegreville, AB; N. MacAlpine,Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Edmonton,AB; B. Kotelko and P. Penney, Highland Feeders, Vegreville,AB

Feedlots collect feedstuffs (nutrients such as N, P, K, andNa) from a relatively large area which are fed to livestock,along with water. Feedlots produce meat and other livestockderived products. Few of the nutrients are retained by thelivestock; the majority collect in the manure, bedding, andrunoff from the feedlot. The concept of environmental sustain­ability requires that these nutrients be dispersed or reused in amanner that does not contaminate soil, ground water, or sur­face water, or accumulate to hazardous levels.

96-203. HYDROLOGY OF A FEEDLOTN. MacAlpine, W. Sawchuk, S. Ahmed, Alberta Agriculture,Food and Rural Development, Edmonton, AB; B. Kennedy,Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Vermilion,AB; G. Gillund, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Devel­opment, Smoky Lake, AB; R. Coleman, AlbertaEnvironmental Centre, Vegreville, AB; B. Kotelko and L.P.Penney, Highland Feeders, Vegreville, AB

Alberta's Code of Practice for the Safe and Economic Han­dling of Animal Manure recommends that feedlots with over300 head have catch basins to store runoff from pens. Albertabased criteria were not available for calculating catch basinvolumes. In 1993, Highland Feeders, in central Alberta, of­fered their feedlot as a site for measuring runoff quantity andquality. Consistent with other feedlots studies, infiltration testsshowed no infiltration below the manure/soil interface. How­ever, the manure pack and micro-depressions from hoovesserve as significant storage reservoirs. Antecedent moisture inthe manure pack determines the volume of rainfall that goesinto storage in the manure pack and the volume that leaves thepens as run-off. Measurements from summer runoff show thatonly 15 to 40% of rainfall runs off. Alberta's Code of Practiceestimates runoff volumes somewhat higher than volumesmeasured on this one site from 1993 to 1995.

96-204. MICROBIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL COM­PONENTSOFFEEDLOTRUNOFFR. Coleman, Alberta Environmental Centre, Vegreville, AB;B. Kennedy, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Develop­ment, Vermilion, AB; G. Gillund, Alberta Agriculture, Foodand Rural Development, Smoky Lake, AB; N. MacAlpine,Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Edmonton,AB; B. Kotelko and P. Penney, Highland Feeders, Vegreville,AB

There is growing concern over the impact that cattle feedlotsmay have on the surrounding environment and how feedlotrunoff should be utilized. As an outgrowth from these concernsthere is growing demand for information on the microbiologi-

cal and chemical characteristics of feedlot runoff. New recy­cling and treatment methods for runoff, such as constructedwetlands, require local data for their effective design andimplementation. A project was initiated in 1993 to measurerunoff quantity and quality from an operating large-scale cattlefeedlot. The chemical and microbiological components in­cluded pH, total phosphorous, calcium, sodium, potassium,chloride, COD, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen,fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci, and total heterotrophicplate count. This paper reports the levels of these parametersand discusses the impact on feedlot operation, especially as itrelates to the environment.

96-205. EFFECTS OF FRESH AND COMPOSTEDMANURE ON RUNOFF WATER QUALITY WHEN AP­PLIED ON SNOWG. Qu, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu,P.R. China; J. Leonard, J. Feddes and W. McGill, Agricul­tural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta,Edmonton, AB

An experiment was conducted to compare the quality ofsnow-melt runoff from fresh or composted manure that hadbeen applied on snow. Sixteen sheet metal trays held a layer ofsnow and either frozen compost or manure. Each tray wascomprised of a 0.16 m2 (0.4 m x 0.4 m) base with a 0.1 m rimin which there were two openings to collect runoff from thebottom and near the surface of the material on the tray. Com­post and manure were applied to the snow to give nutrientloading rates in accordance with available manure manage­ment guidelines. The experimental design was a split plotconsisting of two application materials, four snow-materiallayer sequences, two collection openings, two collecting peri­ods, and two replicates of each. Trays were placed in atemperature controlled room to simulate a natural freeze-thawcycle. Runoff from the snow surface and from the bottom ofthe trays was collected and analyzed for soluble carbon, totalnitrogen, and BOD5. Runoff from compost had significantlylower pollution potential than from manure. There was nosignificant difference in pollution due to the sequence layer ofmaterial and snow.

96-208. THE FUTURE OF THE CANADIAN FARMBUILDING CODEJ.C. Jofriet, School of Engineering, University of Guelph,Guelph, ON

The National Farm Building Code (NFBC) and its forerun­ner, the 1990 Canadian Farm Building Code, were developedover the years from the first edition published in 1964. TheNFBC, like all national codes of Canada, is a model codewhich the bodies having jurisdiction over the built environ­ment, the provinces and territories, are encouraged to adopt.The objective of the model codes is to provide Canadians witha uniform set of standards for building construction that is safefor the occupants and recognizes other widely-supported andrelated societal issues. The NFBC will be affected by severalof the goals and objectives in the 1995 "Strategic Plan of theCanadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes". As aresult, the NFBC will be rewritten as an objective-based codein which all requirements must be linked to specific objectives.As well, the present Standing Committee on Farm Buildings,the committee that was charged with maintaining the NFBC,will be discontinued.

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING Vol. 38. No.3. July/August/September 1996 231

96-209. MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL VENTILATIONSYSTEMS FOR COLD LIGHT FRAMED LIVESTOCKSHELTERSS. Barrington and P. Morin, Agricultural and BiosystemsEngineering, McGill University, Ste Anne de Bellevue, QC

In cold light frame livestock shelters (CLFS), problems ofhumidity, frost formation, and cold air drafts are prevalent inthe winter. To identify the sources of the problems, 12 CLFSwere visited and the producers were asked to criticize theperformance of the natural ventilation system. To complete theanalysis, an iterative simulation was set up and used to com­pute conditions inside CLFS for various ventilation rates,livestock density, glazing insulation, and incoming radiation.The study indicated that the low infiltration rate of glazedshelters requires that the air inlets be left open at all times,even during cold windy days, to evacuate the excess humidityproduced by the livestock. A winter ventilation rate of 125 Lisper head is required for 180 beef animals weighing 375 kg,occupying a total floor area of 675 m2. Cold air drafts can bereduced by installing wind breaks in continuously open wallinlets. Inlets can be placed in the end walls rather than alongthe length walls to prevent snow built up against them. Theroof outlet must open horizontally otherwise snow and frostaccumulates. Livestock density must be high enough to warmthe air inside the shelter for moisture absorption and evacu­ation. A partially transparent glazing prevents widetemperature fluctuations at night fall but still provides lightingand some heat during the day. A glazing thermal resistance of0.22 W.m-2.oC-1helps conserve heat to lower humidity levelsinside the shelter and keep the frame light and economical.

96-210. THERMOREGULATORY RESPONSES OFDAIRY CALVES TO SUDDEN COOLINGM. Michie l , E.M. Barberi: G.I. Christison2, J. Naylor3, R.Gander4 and R.J. Ford I, I Agricultural and Bioresource En­gineering, 2Animal and Poultry Science, 3Veterinary InternalMedicine, and 4Electrical Engineering, University of Sask­atchewan, Saskatoon, SK

Dairy calves that are subjected to drafts are thought to bepredisposed to respiratory disorders. This paper describes anexperiment to determine the short-term thermoregulatory re­sponse to healthy dairy calves, previously acclimated to 15°Cand 0.3 mls air speed, to a sudden decrease in air temperatureor a sudden increase in air speed. The three calves wereexposed to a full factorial design of 16 draft conditions consist­ing of a combination of draft temperatures of 15, 11, 7, and3°C and draft air speeds of 0.33, 0.75, 1.31, and 1.92 m/s.Responses were measured in terms of heart rate, skin tempera­ture, rectal temperature, and respiration rate. Based onshort-term thermoregulatory response, an increase in air speedof 1 mls had an equivalent effect of an equivalent effect of andecrease in air temperature of 5.5°C.

96-211. INCIDENCE OF ASCITES SYNDROME INBROILERS IN RESPONSE TO FEED RESTRICTIONAND LITTER OILINGR.H. McGovern, J.J.R. Feddes, F.E. Robinson, Departmentof Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University ofAlberta, Edmonton, AB; and J.A. Hanson, Alberta Agricul­ture, Food and Rural Development, Edmonton, AB

The effect of feed restriction and the application of canolaoil to straw litter to remove airborne respirable dust on growthperformance and the incidence of ascites syndrome was evalu-

ated using 800 male broilers studied in two 6-week periods.Birds in two pens were feed restricted (18 g of feed/bird/day)from 7 to 16 d of age. Two pens received feed ad libitumthroughout the 6-week trial. Birds in one restricted and one adlibitum-fed pen received biweekly addition of oil to the litter(totaling 0.8 L/m2 of oil over 6 wk). At 6 weeks of age all birdswere scored for the incidence of ascites syndrome at the proc­essing plant. Hearts were removed and dissected and a crosssectional image of each heart was digitally recorded by imageanalysis software to determine the right ventricular area(RVA). The 40-d livemass (2.07 and 1.86 kg), the ascitessyndrome scores (0.61 and 0.87) and the RVA values (0.35 and0.40 cm2) were significantly different between the ad libitum­fed and feed restricted birds. The ascites syndrome score wassignificantly correlated to RVA values (r = 0.52). Adding oilto the litter for the ad libitum-fed birds did not result indifferences in bodymass; however, it did reduce the ascitessyndrome score (0.97 to 0.78) and the RVA values (0.44 and0.37 cm2). Adding oil to the litter reduced the RVA valuessimilar to those occurring with feed restriction.

96-212. RECYCLING MILK PIPELINE WASHWATERH.E. Cuthbertson, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food andRural Affairs, Guelph, ON; L. Brunet, College of AgriculturalTechnology, Kemptville, ON; and G. Seguin, A1fa Laval Agri,Peterborough, ON

A survey of Ontario dairy farms established that the averagemilking centre uses 14.1 L of washwater per milking cow perday. The annual water usage in Ontario, based on 375,000milking cows, is 1.9 billion litres. Seventy-six percent of thiswater is used to maintain the milk pipeline in a sanitary condi­tion. The pipeline wash usually consists of 4 cycles (rinse,wash, rinse, and sanitize) comprised of equal volumes of waterwhich are used once and then discarded. A research projectcarried out at Kemptville College in cooperation with AlfaLaval Agri, determined that the pipeline detergent wash cyclewater could be recycled numerous times without an adverseaffect on the plate loop count of the raw milk. The potentialsavings of water, detergent, electrical power, and milking cen­tre washwater disposal costs associated with the recycling ofthe detergent wash cycle are discussed.

96-213. EVALUATION OF BROODING EQUIPMENTFOR FARROWING CRATESD.R. St. George, Manitoba, Hydro, Brandon, MB; R.E. Boris,Manitoba Hydro, Winnipeg, MB; and R.M. McKay, Agricul­ture and Agri-Food Canada, Brandon, MB

An evaluation of various types of brooding equipment forfarrowing crates was conducted at the Agriculture and Agri­Food Canada Research Station in Brandon. The objective ofthe research was to compare the use of electric and "hydronic"heat pads and dimmer control of heat lamps to the 175 W PARinfra-red heat lamps for brooding piglets in farrowing crates.The evaluation determined that the type of brooding equip­ment does not influence piglet weight gain and mortality andthat electric heat pads and dimmer control of heat lamps offerenergy savings.

96-214. CONTROLE ELECTRONIQUE POUR LAMPECHAUFFANTE (ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMFOR HEAT LAMPS)Y. Choiniere, B. Marquis, Les Consultants Yves ChoiniereInc., St-Cesaire, QC; and G. Gingras, MAPAQ, Ste-Foy, QC

232 Vol. 38. No.3, July/August/September 1996 ABSTRACfS

An electronic control system for heat lamps installed in ahover was developed. Tests were carried out at the researchstation of "Centre de developpement du porc du Quebec".Animal behavioral response, temperature, humidity levels, andgas levels were recorded. A control strategy also was imple­mented.

Un systeme electronique de controle pour lampe chauffanteinstalle dans une niche a ete developpe et teste. Une serie detests ont ete realises it la station de recherche du Centre dedeveloppement du porc du Quebec. Le comportement desanimaux, la temperature, Ie niveau d'humidite et de gaz ont eteenregistres. Une strategie de controle a aussi ete implantee.

96-215. A BLEND FEEDING SYSTEM FOR GROWINGPIGSC.A. Ouellette, J.J.R. Feddes and J.J. Leonard, Agricul­tural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta,Edmonton, AB

Blend feeding attempts to eliminate the excesses and defi­ciencies in dietary protein associated with conventional stepfeeding of growing pigs (20 to 107 kg) by meeting their proteinrequirements on a daily or weekly basis. An increase in carcasslean percentage and a reduction in feed intake and excretednitrogen are benefits of blend feeding. Blending the manyunique diets for blend feeding requires the following: propor­tioning, mixing and distribution. A prototype blend feedingsystem was constructed using feed weigh drops (proportion­ing), staggered dumping into a delivery auger (mixing), and asingle distribution pipeline in tandem with feed level sensors(distribution). Given the "emptiness" of the feeders by the feedlevel sensors, filling each feeder consecutively eliminates theneed for automated valves. A particular feeder diet is preparedby staggered dumps of I kg from Bin A, 12% protein, and BinB, 20% protein, in the proper ratio to achieve the requiredprotein concentration for that pen. The feed drops were cali­brated at two different feed densities to verify that the feeddrops were weight based. Using a single feeder with an op­toelectronic feed level sensor from prior research installed, theblend feeding system's performance was assessed. At a dietprotein content of 16% and batch sizes of 10, 30, and 50 kg,the overflow/underflow protein content error between feederswas found to be as high as ±0.4%. Including the proportioningprotein content error of ±0.24%, the overall blend feedingsystem protein content error was ±0.64% in the delivered diet.If an alternative distribution system incorporating automatedvalves had been used, the overall blend feeding system per­formance would have improved to ±0.24% protein content inthe delivered diet.

96-216. VENTILATION CONVENTIONNELLE VER­SUS VENTILATION PAR EXTRACTION BASSE DANSLES PORCHERIES D'ENGRAISSEMENT (CONVEN­TIONAL VERSUS PIT VENTILATION IN AFINISHING PIG BARN)Y. Choiniere, B. Marquis, Les Consultants Yves ChoiniereInc., St-Cesaire, QC; G. Gingras, MAPAQ, Ste-Foy, QC; andJ. Lavoie, IRSST, Montreal, QC

A finishing pig barn was fully instrumented in order to studythe effect of pit ventilation versus conventional wall fans.Ammonia, carbon dioxide, temperature, and moisture levelswere recorded. A complete dust and aerial contaminant studyalso was undertaken. (Abstract only)

Une porcherie d'engraissement [fit instrumentee dans Ie butd'etudier l'effet du mode de ventilation (ventilation conven­tionnelle vs ventilation par extraction basse) sur lesconcentrations d'ammoniaque et de dioxyde de carbone, latemperature, et Ie niveau d 'humidite dans la piece. Une etudecomplete sur les poussieres et les contaminants de I'air a aussiete realisee.

96-300. RADIO-FREQUENCY TREATMENT OF SEED­QUALITY WHEAT INFECTED WITH FUSARIUMGRAM1NEARUMV. Orsat and V. Raghavan, Department of Agricultural andBiosystems Engineering, McGill University, Ste-Anne deBellevue, QC

Wheat-seed infection by a fungus such as Fusariumgramillearum can considerably lower the seed germinationand the quality of the harvest. It is thus important to treat theseeds to reduce the incidence of the fungus. Fungicidal andthermal treatments are the traditional methods of seed treat­ment. Radio-frequency heating (RF) is, like microwaves, arapid volumetric heating process which helps to reduce heatdamage to the seed. The advantage of RF over microwaves isthat the electromagnetic wavelength is longer leading to agreater depth of penetration allowing the treatment of largerquantities. This study was conducted to determine the effectsof multiple combinations of RF power, temperature, and mois­ture content on the quality of seed-grade wheat. The resultsshowed that all variables have a significant effect on the mor­tality of the fungus and the seeds' germination vigour. Withhigh electromagnetic power, high temperature, and high mois­ture content, the fungus mortality is significantly increased andthe germination quality of the seeds is decreased. There existshowever, an optimal treatment for which the fungus mortalityis maximized while conserving 70 to 80% of the germinationquality of the seeds.

96-301. ESTIMATION OF LEAF FRACTION IN AL­FALFA CHOPS AND CUBES BY NEAR INFRAREDPRODUCT ANALYZERL.G. Tabil, Jr l , R.T. Patil2, S. Sokhansanjl and K.K.Krishna I, I Department of Agricultural and Bioresource Engi­neering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK; 2CentralInstitute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, India

Alfalfa cube quality is associated with the leaf fraction ofchopped hay used in manufacturing. A higher amount of leavesmakes harder and more durable cubes. A quick and reliablemethod to determine leaf fraction in the cubes is needed. Thenear infrared (NIR) product analyzer was calibrated usingmixtures of known leaf fractions to estimate the leaf fractionsof chops and cubes. Using this calibration the leaf fraction ofthree grades of regular size cubes were determined. The NIRtechnique differentiated regular cubes into grades based onleaf fraction.

96-302. INFRARED RADIATION EFFECTS ON SOMEFUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FLOURS. Cenkowski, M. Botero-Uribe and J.S. Townsend, Biosys­terns Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB

Samples of flour, milled from No. I Grade Canadian West­ern Red Spring wheat, were exposed to different levels of highintensity infrared radiation. The infrared lamp was rated at 500W at 120 V. The peak emission wavelength was 1150 n at 120V and 1580 n at 60 V. The distance from the radiation source

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING Vol. 38. No.3. July/August/September 1996 233

to the flour sample surface and the exposure time of theradiation on the sample surface were selected so as to avoidbrowning of the flour. Water-flour dough was prepared frominfrared radiation treated flour and extruded through a capil­lary. The behavior of the dough was described mathematically.The explanation of the behavior was discussed using empiricaland imitative rheological standards as a basis. A 2-mm thicklayer of flour dried from 13.1 % moisture (wb) to 1.3% in 105s when exposed to a 500 W infrared lamp placed 70 mm abovethe flour surface. The surface of the sample was 100°C with a35°C drop over the layer.

96-303. MECHANICAL OIL EXPRESSION FROM EX­TRUDED SOY-SAMPLESP.C. Bargale l , R.J. Ford l , F.W. Sosulski2, D. Wulfsohn l

and J. Irudayaraj3, IDepartment of Agricultural and Biore­source Engineering and 2Department of Crop Science andPlant Ecology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK;3Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, UtahState University, Logan, UT

Soybean is generally considered a source of edible andindustrial oil and the deoiled meal as protein source for animalfeed. In recent years, however, more interest has been to directthe utilization of soy meal as a protein source for humanconsumption. Extrusion expelling of soybean provides an op­portunity in this direction. The present study was undertakenwith a view to maximize the oil recovery from extruded soy­bean processed using three different kinds of extruders andprocessing conditions. The extruded samples were presseduniaxially in a specifically designed test-cell and the oil recov­ery was monitored over time. The effects of process variablesincluding pressure, temperature, and sample size were alsostudied. Results indicated that over 90% of the available oilcould be recovered from pressing of extruded soy-samples.The information generated is likely to be useful in interpretingthe effect of process variables and extruding equipment forpretreatment of soybean for mechanical oil expression.

96-304. QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF SOLAR-DRIEDCOCOA BEANSA. Bonaparte, Division of Agriculture, Sir Arthur LewisCommunity College, St. Lucia, The West Indies; Z. Alikhani,C.A. Madramootoo and G.S.V. Raghavan, Department ofAgricultural and Biosystems Engineering, McGill University,Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC

The effects of four methods of drying (two solar drying andtwo open-air sundrying) on the quality of cocoa beans werestudied. Beans were dried on perforated stainless steel and onnon-perforated wooden surfaces. Drying was carried out underfield conditions in S1. Lucia, the West Indies. The loading rateswere 13.7, 26.9, and 40.4 kg/m2. Beans from the solar driershad a lower incidence of external mould and better externalappearance. There was no significant difference in pH orinternal colour. There also were no differences in brittleness.Titratable acidity of beans dried at the 40.4 kg/m2 loading ratewas lower than that dried at lower rates.

96-305. OPTIMIZATION OF POSTMORTEM BEEFCHILLING CONDITIONS THROUGH CONTROL OFCARCASS TEMPERATURE HISTORYD.S. McGinnis I, R.R. Segado2, B. Chabot I and M.M.Wolynetz3, ILacombe Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri­Food Canada, Lacombe, AB; 2Department of Nutrition and

Food Science, Acadia University, Wolfeville, NS; 3Informa­tion and Planning Services, Agriculture and Agri-FoodCanada, Ottawa, ON

A research air-chilling system was developed and used tocontrol the history of the average temperature of beef sidesduring postmortem chilling. These temperature histories werecontrolled to within the resolution of the temperature sensorsused by the control system. This system permitted continuousoperation by means of specialized design features, includingautomated defrost control and dual, alternating air chilJers.Three experimental chilling programs reduced the averagebeef side temperature to OOC in 20 h, each by different tem­perature-time paths. The effects on meat quality, hygiene, andmoisture losses (purge and shrink) of these regimes, applied incombination with electrical stimulation were investigated inexperiments involving 36 steers. Beef was hermetically storedfor five days after chilling, then assessed for loin (rib eye) meatquality. A significant (p<0.05) increase in protein solubilityresulted from the application of an initially more rapid rate ofcarcass temperature decline. Also, experimentally chilled beefproduced meat that was significantly (p<0.05) darker (lowerL*) and redder (higher a*) than conventionally chilled beef.However, other measured quality attributes did not vary andmeat quality was not adversely affected by the experimentalchilling treatments. Published bacterial growth rate modelswere programmed and used with processing data to estimatepotential bacterial proliferation on the carcass surface. Theproliferation of various species of spoilage and safety concernwas predicted to be dramatically reduced by early reduction ofthe carcass surface temperature. Also, the temperature func­tion integration method predicted that each of theexperimental treatments would arrest the growth of Pseudo­monas spp., whereas conventional chilling would permitcontinued bacterial growth after 22 h. Finally, processing datawere used to develop and validate a mathematical model forprediction of evaporation rate from suspended beef sides. Theevaporation rate varied with the rate of cooling, but overallshrink (or average evaporation rate) did not vary among treat­ments. Of the studied chilling regimes, it was concluded thatthe optimum most rapidly reduces carcass temperature duringthe early stages of chilling.

96-306. DEVELOPMENT OF STORAGE INDEX TOPREDICT QUALITY OF ALFALFA CUBES IN STOR­AGE AND IN TRANSITM.H. Khoshtaghaza, S. Sokhansanj and W. Crerar, Depart­ment of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering, Universityof Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

The quality of alfalfa cubes during constant temperatures of9 to 39°C and constant relative humidity of 60 to 86% wasmeasured experimentally. Equations representing qualitychange with time and storage conditions were developed.Mold-free days were modeled with step change in quality. Thegreen color degradation, density, and hardness were modeledwith time.

96-307. CHANGES "IN SIZE AND DENSITY OFCHOPPED ALFALFA WITH MOISTURE CONTENTR.T. PatH, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bho­pal, India; S. Sokhansanj and R.L. Kushwaha, Agriculturaland Bioresource Engineering, University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon, SK

Laboratory experiments were conducted to quantify

234 Vol. 38, No.3, July/August/September 1996 ABSTRACfS

changes in the bulk density, the particle density, and the di­mensions of stems and leaves in samples of freshly choppedalfalfa. Leaves make up about 43% of the mass of a freshlyalfalfa chops (79% m.c., w.b.); fine stems (2.3 mm diameter)make up II% and coarse stems (3.8 mm diameter) make upabout 56% of the mass of the chops. When fresh, the bulkdensity of leaves is twice the bulk density of stems, but whendried, the relationship is reversed. The relationship of moisturecontent with particle density and volume followed a quadraticrelationship. The particle density of leaves does not show aspecific trend with moisture content, but there is a slight dropin bulk density of stems. Changes in stem diameter with mois­ture content is not significant. The microstructure of leavesand stems changes with moisture content. A slight decrease inthe thickness of various components within the cross-sectionof stems is evident. The reduction in surface area of the leavesand stems showed a logarithmic trend with moisture content.

96-308. PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT BINDERSDURING EXPERIMENTAL ALFALFA PELLETINGL.G. Tabil, Jr. and S. Sokhansanj, Department of Agricul­tural and Bioresource Engineering, University ofSaskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

Production of good quality dehydrated alfalfa pellets isessential in the reduction of dust and fines generated duringtransport and handling. Durable pellets can be produced bycontrolling the production process and by using binders. Theobjective of this experimental work was to determine thedurability and hardness of dehydrated alfalfa pellets with theuse of binders. The study was conducted in two crop years. Inthe first crop year (1993-1994) the factors used in the experi­ment were chop quality and binder. Alfalfa chops used were ofthree qualities: low, medium, and high. Five binders weremixed with ground alfalfa: lignosulfonate, bentonite, peastarch, collagen protein, and hydrated lime. Results indicatedthat binders improved the durability of pellets made from lowquality chops but did not improve the durability of pelletsmade from high quality alfalfa. Hardness of pellets increasedby the use of binders. Hydrated lime and pea starch werefurthertested in the second crop year (1994-1995) using inclu­sion rates of 1 and 0.5%. Inclusion rate of 0.5% of eitherhydrated lime or pea starch resulted in increased pellet dura­bility.

96-309. MEASUREMENT OF PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTESOF ALFALFA GRINDW. Yang, S. Sokhansanj and W.J. Crerar, Department ofAgricultural and Bioresource Engineering, University of Sas­katchewan, Saskatoon, SK

Particle size distribution and shape characteristics of alfalfagrind were examined in this study. Particle size distributionwas determined by sieve test in a Gilsonic autosiever. Theparticle size of the alfalfa grind could be best described by alog-normal distribution based on the curve fitting results of atotal of 19 distribution functions. The median size of alfalfagrind was found to be 238 m with a log-normal standarddeviation of 0.65. The bulk density of alfalfa grind rangedfrom 205 to 257 kg/m3 at moisture contents ranging from 0.6to 32.4% wb. The solid density of alfalfa grind measured withan air com~arison pycnometry was in the range from 1390 to1599 kg/m (average 1454 kg/m3) at 5.3 % wb moisture con­tent. The surface area of alfalfa grind 1) measured using theBET method with nitrogen sorption and 2) calculated follow-

ing ASAE S319.2 was 0.75 and 0.0215 m2/g, respectively.Scanning microscopy and image processing techniques wereused to characterize the particles retained on individual testsieves in terms of the following parameters: mean particleprojection length, width, area, perimeter, and roundness.Based on the analysis of a total of 2132 particles, it was foundthat the mean particle projection length was in the range of0.242-0.979 mm, width 0.034-0.425 mm, area 0.002-0.295mm2, perimeter 0.188-2.421 mm, and roundness 0.54-0.64 inthe sieve openings from 20 to 850 Ilm. A regressional exami­nation showed that these parameters followed a linearrelationship with sieve openings.

96-310. QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND GRADING OFLENTILS USING MACHINE VISIONP. Winter l , S. Sokhansanj2, H.C. Wood I and W. Crerar2,IDepartment of Electrical Engineering and 2Department ofAgricultural and Bioresource Engineering, University ofSask­atchewan, Saskatoon, SK

Lentil seeds are presently graded visually based on theCanadian Grain Commission's established criteria: seed col­our, size, damage, and foreign material. A machine visionsystem was developed to differentiate commercial samples oflentils (Laird variety) into three classes of "good", "discol­ored", and "broken and peeled". A neural network was used toanalyze 21 morphological and colour features of a sample andprovide an output between -I and I. Probability oferror in, andcorrelation coefficient among features were used to rank the 21features. The system performance was: 94% success in recog­nition of good lentils, 97% for discolored lentils, and 95% forbroken and peeled lentils.

96-311. CHICKPEA DEHULLINGS.O. Igor I , S. Sokhansanp and R.T. Tyler I, I Department ofApplied Microbiology and Food Science and 2Department ofAgricultural and Bioresource Engineering, University of Sas­katchewan, Saskatoon, SK

Chickpea is used in a wide variety of food preparations aftersuitable primary processing. Dehulling, splitting, grinding,defatting, puffing, toasting, and roasting are some of the pri­mary processes to which these grains are subjected in order toimprove their appearance, colour, texture, culinary properties,and palatability. Dehulling, in particular, reduces the cookingtime and fibre content of grains. Although dehulling has beenpracticed traditionally in most grain-producing areas, the prac­tice of dehulling is ever improving technologically and mayinvolve the application of one or more of tangential abrasiveforce, impact force, shearing force, or tearing and wearingforce. A 10 to 95% degree of hull removal was attained in ourpreliminary research on chickpea dehulling depending on themoisture content, plate grit size, dehulling time, and sampleweight. This paper focuses on the technological and productimprovement aspects of dehulling in a variety of chickpeaapplications.

96-312. QUANTIFICATION OF SORPTION HYSTERE­SIS LOOPSW. Yang, S. Sokhansanj, Y. Wu, Department of Agriculturaland Bioresource Engineering, University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon, SK; and J. Tang, Department of Biological Sys­tems Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

A mathematical model was developed to quantify sorptionhysteresis loops. It was derived based on the hypothesis that

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING Vol. 38, No.3. July/August/September 1996 235

during a sorption process phase change mass transfer thataccompanied instantaneous heat generation (in adsorption) orevacuation (in desorption) caused by temperature gradientsacross the material which in tum induced sorbate redistribu­tion to give rise to hysteresis. Model verification usingpublished hysteresis data of various sorption types on organicand inorganic materials confirmed the capability of the newmodel in describing sorption hysteresis phenomenon.

96-400. ENERGY REQUIREMENT OF CUT-AND­BLOW FORAGE HARVESTERS WITH OR WITHOUTSIDE DISPLACEMENTD. Tremblay·, P. Savoie2, J. Lajoie!, M. Roberge3, G.Choiniere4 and R. Theriault·, •Departement des sols et degenie agroalimentaire, Universite Laval, Sainte-Foy, QC; 2Ag­riculture and Agri-Food Canada Sainte-Foy QC'3 . " ,Agncultural and Biosystems Engineering Department,

McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC; 4B & RChoiniere Ltd., Boisbriand, QC

Cut-and-blow forage harvesters have been designed eitherwith unidirectional displacement between the cutterhead andthe blower (UCB) or with side displacement, typically anauger, in a system known as cut-auger-and-blow (CAB). TheUCB design has the advantage of requiring no mechanismbetween the cutterhead and the blower and the potential ofrecuperating kinetic energy from the cutterhead for conveying.A UCB forage harvester (Dion 1224) and a CAB machine(New Holland 900) were compared in alfalfa and in com in1995. Both machines were evaluated at two theoretical choplengths (6 and 9 mm) and at two throughput levels (averaging15 and 22 t DM/h, respectively). In the case of alfalfa, twowilting periods were considered; moisture at harvest averaged67 or 54% after a short or a long wilt. Com moisture averaged60%. The UCB machine required 8% less energy than the CABmachine in alfalfa, but the opposite trend was observed in comsilage harvest. Parameters estimated for a forage harvesterpower model indicated that the UCB machine was indeedmore efficient in conveying and blowing, but it was less effi­cient in cutting compared to the CAB machine. Other factorssuch as chop length adjustment, moisture at harvest, and compickup attachment proved to be more important than machinedesign itself.

96-401. SASKATCHEWAN PRODUCERS' VIEWS ONSERVICE AND PARTS FOR COMBINESK.J.D. Gress, Cargill Ltd., Canwood, SK; and R.L. Kushwaha,Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering Department, Uni­versity of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

Saskatchewan is the major grain producing province inCanada. During the busy harvesting season, time must not belost due to combine breakdowns and subsequent unavailabilityof parts and service. A survey was conducted across the Prov­ince of Saskatchewan to determine problems associated withcombine parts availability, combine repair, and consumersopinion on combine parts, costs, and quality. Out of 200surveys, 43% were returned. A total of 108 combines werereported. John Deere and CaseIH had equal percentages of themarket although John Deere combines were 4 years newer onan average age than the CaseIH ones. Nearly 61 % of thecombines were of model years previous to 1985. Producerslisted many repairs with the majority occurring on the farmand only 26% indicating any type of dealership repair. Strongconcerns were expressed with the poor availability of parts and

low inventories with the suppliers. The producers wanted partsavailable more readily to reduce waiting time.

96-402. THE McLEOD HARVESTING SYSTEMD.R. St. George, Manitoba Hydro, Brandon, MB and R.McLeod, Bob McLeod Inc., Winnipeg, MB

This paper summarizes a study completed in 1995 on a newgrain harvesting system. In brief, the McLeod Harvesting Sys­tem consists of the field separation of straw from grain andchaff. Chaff, grain, and weed seeds are transported to a yardplant which separates and cleans the grain. The grain leavings,chaff, and weed seeds fall into a hammermilJ/rollermill wherethe weed seeds are destroyed and the chaff compacted. Theresulting product is used for animal feed. The benefits of theMcLeod Harvesting Method are anticipated to be less expen­sive field equipment, better field management, reducedoperating costs, and increased crop value.

96-403. MECHANICAL HARVESTING TRIALS ONWESTERN CANADIAN NATIVE FRUITSM.R.L. Bantle, Bantle Engineering Research, Saskatoon, SK;R.G. St. Pierre, Department of Horticulture Science, Univer­sity of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK; and D. Wulfsohn,Department of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering,University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

A low cost harvester is being developed to suit the WesternCanadian native fruit industry. The fruit is removed by shakingthe plant limbs. Field measurements were undertaken duringthe summer of 1995 to identify the fruit removal rates atdifferent shaking frequencies and shaking amplitudes. A labo­ratory size tractor pulled harvester was used for the fieldmeasurements. The frequencies studied were 464, 652, and840 cpm. The amplitudes studied were 14, 19.5, and 25 mm.The best fruit removal occurred at the four combinations of thetwo greatest frequencies and the two largest amplitudes. Theaverage fruit removal rates at these four combinations were:saskatoon cultivar Honeywood 87%, pin cherry seedling 10%,pin cherry cultivar Jumping Pound 53%, choke cherry seedling56%, choke cherry cultivar Copper Shubert 62%, choke cherrycultivar Maxi 66%, highbush cranberry cultivars Wentworthand Gary Pink 14% before a frost, and highbush cranberrycultivar Alaska 39% after a hard frost.

96-404. A BATCH TYPE TRANSESTERIFICATIONUNIT FOR BIODIESEL FUELSC.A.W. Allen and K.C. Watts, Agricultural Engineering De­partment, Technical University of Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS

Interest in biodiesel fuels is increasing. In an effort tosystematically link the performance of an engine to the com­position of the biodiesel fuel, base line data for different fuelcomponents need to be acquired. This paper details the equip­ment used to produce biodiesels by means of batchtransesterification using methanol with sodium hydroxide asthe catalyst. Test procedures used to determine the complete­ness of the methylation and engine performance also are given.Thin layer chromatography with flame ionization detection(TLC-FID) analysis on the biodiesel produced in the batchtransesterification unit shows that the method resulted in avirtually complete methylation of the triglycerides. The powerproduced by a direct injection and an indirect injection, singlecylinder engines using the biodiesel fuel was lower, but com­parable to that using commercial diesel fuel. Emissionsproduced by the two fuel types were also very similar.

236 Vol. 38. No.3. July/August/September 1996 ABSTRACTS

96-405. SOIL COMPACTION BY TIMBER HARVEST­ING SYSTEM IN CENTRAL SASKATCHEWANY.-L. Shi, D. Wulfsohn, R.J. Ford and E. Richardson, Agri­cultural and Bioresource Engineering Department, Universityof Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

In recent years, there was has been a trend in ground-basedtimber harvesting systems away from hand falling and skid­ding toward a fully mechanical system involvingfeller-bunching, grapple-skidding, and mechanical road-sideprocessing. The mechanical system has significantly greaterproductivity per day than the conventional system, but with apotential increase in site impact. This paper reports on theimpact of a mechanical harvesting system on compaction relatedsoil physical properties. The study was carried out in the faJI of1995 in Central Saskatchewan. Undisturbed and disturbed (in therut) soil bulk density and soil penetration strength were measuredin the field. Machinery was instrumented to determine prime­mover dynamic loads. Results indicate that unsuitable skidderload distribution magnified impacts, with adverse effects espe­cially in wetter areas and on slopes.

96-406. MODELISATION DES INTERACTIONS SOL­OUTIL AVEC LES LOGICIELS DE MEF PATRAN ETABAQUSC. Plouffe and M.J. Richard, Departement de geniemecanique, Universite Laval, Sainte-Foy, QC; S. Tessier andC. Lague, Departement des sols et de genie agroalimentaire,Universite Laval, Sainte-Foy, QC

L'utilisation de la methode des elements finis (MEF) pourIe design des outils utilises lors du travail du sol permetaujourd'hui de surmonter plusieurs problemes inherents al'utilisation de methodes analytiques ou empiriques. La plu­part des methodes empiriques ("essai et erreur") requierentbeaucoup de temps et coOtent cher. De leur cote, les methodesdites analytiques sont generalement incapables de tenir comptede la nature heterogene des sols et sont tres souvent limitees ades geometries d'outils tres simples. Jusqu'a recemment, lesmethodes numeriques, telle la MEF, faisaient egalement faceaux memes limitations. Ce texte presente les resultats prelimi­naires d'une etude visant adeterminer la force de rupture dusol avec un outil ayant un angle d'attaque faible «30°). Leslogiciels commerciaux I-DEAS et PATRAN sont utilises pourla generation du maillage du systeme sol - outil. Par la suite, Ielogiciel ABAQUS effectue la resolution du probleme non­lineaire d'interactions sol - outil en utilisant Ie modele decomportement du sol al'etat critique (Cam-clay). L'utilisationadequate d'elements.de contact permet de gerer Ie glissementrelatif entre Ie sol et la surface de I'outil. Les premiers resultatsobtenus suggerent que cette methode pourrait permettre d'enarriver asimuler une rupture du sol avec un outil tres inclinecomme Ie soc d'un versoir ou un coutre circulaire.

96-500. A SYSTEM FOR STUDYING MICROBIALHEAT PRODUCTION FOR COLD-CLIMATE MANURECOMPOSTINGJ. Franke, J. Leonard, Agricultural, Food and NutritionalSciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB; and W.McGill, Renewable Resources Department, University of Al­berta, Edmonton, AB

Six bench-scale composters were designed and constructedto minimize heat loss through the walls of the reactors bycompletely submerging the composters in a thermally-control­led water bath. By creating negligible conductive heat losses,

microbial heat evolution could be calculated by monitoringcompost temperature and the temperature and humidity of theventilating air. This paper outlines the equipment and methodsused for preliminary testing of the system. All composterswere filled with a 3: I by weight ratio of dairy manure andchopped barley straw and placed in separate, thermally-con­trolled water baths, and aerated at different flowrates (I to 3L/min). The system is designed to vary air temperatures as well(-20 to +200 C), however this control was not used during thepreliminary trials reported here. The levels ofammonia (NH3),oxygen (02), and carbon dioxide (C02), and temperature ineach vessel were continuously monitored and recorded. Theresults in the form of thermal energy generation could then beanalyzed and correlated with the decomposition stages in eachreactor.

96-501. A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR BATCHCOMPOSTINGG. Qu, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu,P.R. China; J. Leonard, J. Feddes, Y. Liang and J. Franke,Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University ofAlberta, AB

A mathematical model that describes the kinetic process ofa batch composting system has been developed. By assumingthat the first order reaction rate constant (K) is a function ofmass ratio (fraction of initial volatile solids remaining at anytime) and temperature, and by analyzing heat and mass bal­ance of a batch composting system, time dependent equationsfor temperature, biomass degradation rate, and moisture con­tent are derived. A simple analysis of the model is carried out.Furthermore, three typical types of mass ratio dependent fac­tors are discussed.

96-502. GROUND EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE AS ANUTRIENT DILUENT FOR BROILER BREEDERS.PART I: FEED PREPARATIONI.E. Edeogu, J.J. Feddes, F.E. Robinson, Agricultural, Foodand Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton,AB; M.J. Zuidhof, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural De­velopment, Edmonton, AB

This study investigated the effects of a non-nutritive, non­traditional feed diluent on the performance of broiler breeders.The diluent, polystyrene, was mixed with feed in ratios of20: 1, 10: I, and 5: I grams feed to polystyrene. Tests wereconducted to identify that particle size at which polystyrene infeed could not be separated by the birds. The birds were fed apelleted and a non-pelleted ration of the diluted feed. In addi­tion, specific volumes of the feed, diluent, and diluted feedwere determined. A loose mix ofground expanded polystyrene(GEP) with feed was of higher specific volume than the undi­luted feed material. In other words, for the same volume ofmaterial, the diluted feed was a little over half the mass of theundiluted feed. The significance of this bulking effect of GEPin feed on weight uniformity in broiler breeders was of inter­est. As such, the bird weights were measured, bird weightvariation determined, and feed clean-up time measured. Waterconsumption was also measured.

96-503. GROUND EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE AS ANUTRIENT DILUENT FOR BROILER BREEDERS.PART II: EFFECTS ON MANURE COMPOSTINGY. Liang, J.J. Leonard, J.J. Feddes, J. Franke, AgricuIturdl,Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta,

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING Vol. 38. No.3, July/August/September 1996 237

Edmonton, AB; and G. Qu, Nanjing Agricultural University,Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China

A study was conducted in which ground expanded polysty­rene (GEP) amended feed was fed to broiler breeders toexamine its effect as a nutrient diluent. The collected manurefrom this nutrient diluent experiment was amended with strawfor composting. A laboratory-scale, batch-operated compost­ing system was constructed that allowed continuousmonitoring of composting parameters: temperature, air flowrate, ammonia (NH3) emission, and carbon dioxide (C02)concentration. No significant effects were found with respectto the duration of the composting cycle, the decompositionrate, or the NH3 evolution. GEP-amended feed used in thisstudy had no negative effect on the composting process.

96-504. A METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING BULKDENSITY OF COMPRESSIBLE PARTICULATE MA­TERIALSD. Guenther, S. Schaub and J. Leonard, Agricultural, Foodand Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

The bulk density of compressible materials depends on thecompressive load to which they are subjected. This results ina variation of bulk density within piles of such materials.However, it is difficult to measure bulk density in situ withoutdisturbing the sample or the load on it. Consequently, a labo­ratory method was developed to simulate the variation ofdensity with depth of material. This method was used withcompost, peat moss, wood shavings, and straw, and resulted indensi!y vs defth data that were fitted to curves of the formy=Axli with R values ranging from 0.88 to 0.99. The exponent(B) is the indicator of the compressibility of the material. Ofthe materials tested, compost was the most compressible(B=0.28) and wood shavings were the least compressible(B=0.05). By integrating under the density-depth curves, aneffective density value could be obtained which is more mean­ingful than values obtained from small samples collected at thesurface of piles.

96-600. EVALUATION OF LIGHT SOURCES FOR MA­CHINE VISIONX. Luo, D.S. Jayas, T.G. Crowe and N.R. Bulley, Depart­ment of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba,Winnipeg, MB

Using a color machine vision system, three types of lightsources, incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lamps, wereevaluated. The fluorescent lamp was also tested with a lightcontroller incorporated as part of its power supply. Outputgray levels from the three bands of the camera (red, green,and blue) were recorded for a range of supply voltages andfor 8 h periods with constant supply voltages. Illuminationuniformities over the field of view (FOV) of the camerawere also examined. Given a I V change from the ratedsupply voltage, the maximum changes among the threecolor components occurred in the blue (1.8%), blue (1.3%),green (0.5%), and green (0.5%), for the incandescent, halo­gen, fluorescent lamp, and fluorescent lamp with the lightcontroller, respectively. Under constant lamp voltages foran 8 h period, the lamp outputs decreased by 4.7, 5.0, and7.7%, for the incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lamp,respectively, and dropped 1.2% for the fluorescent lampwith the light controller. The illumination levels over theFOV were uniform, with average row and column intensi­ties varying by less than 2.1, 2.1, and 3.1 % of the overall

intensity means, forthe incandescent,halogen, and fluorescentlamps, respectively.

96-601. EXTRACTION OF MORPHOLOGICAL FEA­TURES BY ELLIPSE FITTINGN.S. Shashidhar, D.S. Jayas, T.G. Crowe and'N.R. Bulley,Department of Biosystems Engineering, University ofManitoba, Winnipeg, MB

An algorithm was developed to fit ellipses to images ofseparated and touching kernels with random orientations. Lim­ited testing of the algorithm was done to evaluate its ability tocount objects in the images and to estimate length, width,perimeter, and area of individual objects. The estimated pa­rameters were compared with measured parameters usingconventional image processing techniques on images ofphysi­cally-separated kernels. At times, the randomness of samplingpoints for the ellipse fitting resulted in incorrect numbers (byabout 4%) of objects in an image. Most of the estimated sizefeatures were not significantly different from the measuredparameters at p > 0.05.

96-602. TEXTURAL FEATURES FOR AUTOMATEDGRAIN IDENTIFICATIONS. Majumdar l, D.S. Jayas l, S.J. Symons2 and N.R. Bulleyl,1Department of Biosystems Engineering, University ofManitoba, Winnipeg, MB; 2Canadian Grain Commission,Winnipeg, MB

Textural features can be used for automatic identification ofdifferent cereal grains. Images of individual kernels of theCanada Western Red Spring CWRS) wheat, durum wheat,barley, and rye were used to extract features based on graylevel histogram (GLH), gray level co-occurrence matrix(GLCM), and gray level run length matrices (GLRM). Thesefeatures were extracted for red (R), green (G), and blue (B)bands, and different combinations of R,G,B bands. For Test setI images at two different magnifications were acquired usinga macroscope and color (RGB) camera, but these tests had fewlimitations to achieve automation. The Test set II was con­ducted using a 3 chip color camera and custom macro viewingsystem. Textural features could be used for identification ofCWRS wheat, durum wheat, barley, and rye with 99.7, 96.9,97.8, and 97.3% ac~uracies, respectively using the 'red' colorband only and with 100.0, 96.0, 94.7, and 94.9% accuracies,respectively using a '(3R+2G+IB)/6' color band combination.

96-603. PRECISION FARMING METHODS FOR AG­RONOMIC RESEARCHD.R. Mackay, M.V. Eliason, T.W. Goddard and D.C.Penney, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development,Edmonton, AB

In 1995, research was undertaken by Alberta Agriculture,Food and Rural Development in conjunction with the AlbertaCanola Producers Commission (ACPC) and the Canola Coun­cil of Canada (CCC) to determine the feasibility of precisionfarming methods for large-scale plot research. This reportsummarizes the findings for 1995 and proposes future researchpossibilities. A satellite positioning system, GPS, was coupledwith a combine yield monitor to map the yield of productionsites. Geographical information systems (GIS) were used toanalyze the data and provide visual map output. Soil samplingwas done to assess the effects of soil fertility factors on cropyield.

238 Vol. 38, No.3. July/August/September 1996 ABSTRACTS

96-604. GREENHOUSE CLIMATE CONTROL: PAST,PRESENT AND FUTURET.J. Jewett l, N.D. Clarke2, J.L. Shippl, A.P. Padadopoulos l

and W.R. Jarvis I, 1Agriculture and Agri -Food Canada,Harrow, ON; 2AI Solutions, Richmond Hill, ON

During the last 30 years, greenhouse climate control hasadvanced from simple thennostatic temperature control tocomputerized control of temperature, VPD, C02 concentra­tion, lighting, watering, and nutrient application. The adoptionof computerized climate-control technology, combined with aswitch to soil-less production methods, resulted in more thana two-fold productivity increase in the Canadian GreenhouseVegetable Industry during the 1980s. Although greenhouseclimate-control computers have been widely adopted, currentsystems are difficult to use and do not provide the decision­support capabilities necessary for integrated management ofgreenhouse crops. In the future, integrating the management ofclimate with biological disease and pest control strategies willbe necessary to achieve effective crop protection and to satisfyincreasing consumer demand for pesticide-free produce. Thispaper reviews the history of greenhouse climate control anddiscusses future developments in climate control that will benecessary for a fully integrated greenhouse crop managementsystem.

96-605. ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK MODEL­LING OF MICROBIAL ACCLIMATION PERIODS INSOIL CONTAMINATED WITH PETROLEUM HYDRO­CARBONSA.M. Suchorski-Tremblay, Research and Technology Trans­fer Section, College d' Alfred, Alfred, ON; R. Kok,Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering,McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to model theacclimation of indigenous microorganisms in soil contami­nated with diesel fuel or creosote. Acclimation data wereobtained by measuring the appearance of 14C (as C02) miner­alized from radiolabelled tracers that were added to soilmicrocosms. The ANNs were trained and tested with the fol­lowing inputs: incubation temperature, water content (aspercentage of the soil's water holding capacity), addition ornot of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, and sampling time.The ANN output was directly related to the cumulative percentof 14C recovered (%1:14C). The resultant ANN models wereincorporated into a user-friendly software package called Ac­cliMat, written in QuickBASIC. With this package, the ANNmodels can be utilized to calculate the amount of %1:14C thatwill be recovered after a given number of days, or the numberof days required to reach a given %1: 14C.

96-606. SIMULATION OF BULK SOLIDS FLOW INSILOS BY HYBRID FEM/DEM METHODS.C. Negi, J .C. Jofriet and Z. Lu, School of Engineering,University of Guelph, Guelph, ON

A hybrid numerical model based on the finite element(FEM) and the discrete element methods (OEM) has beendeveloped to predict the stress and velocity fields for particu­late materials during discharge from silos. The FEM was usedto model the particulate solid as a continuum. In regions wherethe bulk solid stops behaving as a continuum, such as in thelower part of a hopper near the outlet and in regions wherethere are large shear defonnations such as at the intersection of

a vertical wall and a hopper wall, the OEM was used as thepreferred procedure. A model for combining the two methods ispresented. An algorithm for the combined model is developed. Acomparison between the numerical and the experimental resultsshows that the model simulation has the ability to predict accu­rately wall pressures and flow velocities in bins.

96-608. AN EXPERIENCE WITH DISTANCE EDUCA­TIONM.G. Britton, Biosystems Engineering Department, Univer­sity of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB and E.M. Barber,Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering Department, Uni­versity of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

In the spring of 1996, two senior undergraduate engineeringdesign courses were exchanged between the University ofSaskatchewan and the University of Manitoba using two-wayaudio and video links via an experimental high speed ATMnetwork. The purpose of the experiment was to gain experi­ence with distance education in the case where real-timeinteraction between the instructor and the students is impor­tant. This paper describes the experiences of the professorsinvolved and the observations of the students. The technologyof real-time audio-video conferencing was nearly flawless.The experience highlighted the importance of separating thetask of program production from the task of instruction. Thesuccess of this method of instruction could be improved bybetter preparing the students for active learning and by greaterfamiliarity by both students and the instructors in computernetworking technology.

96-609. TOWARDS A SYSTEM FOR ULTRASOUNDIMAGE SEGMENTATION FOR LOIN EYE MEASURE­MENTS IN SWINEQ. Rashid and X. Li, Department of Computing Science,University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB; A.P. Sather andA.K.W. Tong, Lacombe Research Centre, Agriculture andAgri-Food Canada, Lacombe, AB

This paper reports on an image segmentation system pri­marily developed for detecting the muscle longissimusthoraces (LT) in ultrasonic images of live pigs. The imageshave a low contrast, high level of noise, and a high degree ofvariance in tenns of texture and shape. Our segmentationalgorithm starts with a region growing process, which providesa rough approximation of the LT. Morphological operationsand curve fitting eliminate unwanted noise. Finally, an activecontour process refines the shape of the resulting region. Thissystem takes several segmentation techniques and builds aflow of infonnation between them to achieve the desired seg­mentation This method does not rely on specific a prioriinfonnation of the texture or the contrast. This is a first steptowards automating the loin detection in ultrasonic images oflive pigs. Initial experiments provided encouraging results.The system is based on the principle of modular design, so thatdifferent legion growing and refinement algorithms can beeasily substituted into the current design as modules. There­fore, the system is general enough to be adapted to othersegmentation tasks involving low contrast images. A series ofthree ultrasound images pigs were made along the dorsal sur­face of 30 live pigs. Using the images to estimate loin volume,63% and 47% of the variation in commercial loin weight andlean yield of loin were predicted. These values compare to66% and 41%, respectively, from measurements made on thecarcass with the Hennessey Grading Probe.

CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING Vol. 38. No.3. July/August/September 1996 239

NOTES TO CONTRIBUTORSThe Editorial Board will assess suitability and essential.deta~1 of paperssubmitted for publication in Canadian Agricultural Englnee~mg.O~e ormore reviewers will be used. Their comments and s~ggestlonswIll becompiled and submitted to the author. The review wIll ensure that:

I. A research paper presents a piece of research carried to awell-defined stage of advancement and the conclusions are adequatelysupported by the experimental results.

2. A tee/mical paper presents a clear, concise, and factual outlineand interpretation of the development, d~sig~, test, or analys!.s underconsideration and that it is a contribution In one of the ftelds ofagricultural, biosystems, or food engineering.

3. A ~eneral paper on education, research, or extension is pertinentto majo~ changes in curriculum, research, or extension or to forward­looking developments in these areas.

4. A technical note on equipment development, technique of meas­urement, or method of analysis will have an application for otherworkers in the fields of agricultural, biosystems, or food engineering.

MANUSCRIPTThe manuscript should be typed double-spaced on paper 216 x 279mm (8.5" x II ") with margins not less than 30 mm. The first pageshould contain only the title, authors' names, addresses (includingpostal codes), and contribution number where applicable. The tele­phone number, FAX number, and E-mail address (if available) of thecorresponding author should also be included. Tables and captions forillustrations should be on separate pages, placed after the text. Manu­script paper with numbered lines is preferred. Six copies are required.After a paper has been accepted for publication, the author will beexpected to provide a copy of the paper on floppy disk in a formatcompatible with MS-DOS or Macintosh systems.

The title of the paper should give an accurate description of thearticle, using key words that can be used for computer-indexing.

ORGANIZATIONThe paper should be organized to conform with present Journal prac­tice. See Norum and Jayas (1995). All papers must include a shortabstract section of about 200 words. Authors are encouraged to submitthe abstract in both English and French. There will be a charge fortranslation services that must be provided by the Journal.

Major headings - Center on the page with all words in capital letters.

Subheadings - Start at left-hand margin, capitalize first letter.

Sub-subheadings - Same as subheadings but underline.

Technical and detailed information should be included only in theform of description, table, graph, chart or photograph. In general,follow the style given in Norum and Jayas (1995).

References

List references alphabetically by authors at the end. Follow the formatset by Norum and Jayas (1995). Material in press, with the name of thejournal, may be used as a reference. Private communications andunpublished reports should be referred to in parentheses in the text.Private communications should include the person's title and address.Avoid the use of footnotes. Use the author-date system in the manu­script when referring to articles in the Reference section.

TablesDesignate tables at the top by table number (Roman numerals) andtitle, in upper and lower case letters. All headings und other informa­tion in tables are to be in lower case except first letter of first word.Keep the table compact and place it across the page wherever possible.Do not use vertical lines.

MeasurementsOnly metric system (SI) units are to be used.

EquationsEquations and formulas .must be set up clearly. Use capit~l~ .for.s~l1l­bois as much as pOSSible and lower case for .supe~~cnpts andsubscripts. Greek and other characters ~hould be Iden!tfled c!ea~ly.Equations should be numbered on the fight-hand margm and mimewith the center of the equation.

AbbreviationsAbbreviate units of measure only when used with numerals. Usecorrect SI unit abbreviations. Do not use abbreviations in the title.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Either original drawings or glossy photographs are acceptable. forillustrations. An illustration should be planned to fit, after reduction,into a space 90 mm wide (one column) or 183 wide (two columns). Theoriginal should be not more than three times the size of the final figure.For identification, the figure number and author's name should bewritten on the lower left corner with soft pencil.

Line drawings should be machine produced on white drawing paperor tracing paper. Authors are encouraged to produce drawings usingone of the commonly used computer packages. Letters, numerals,labels and axis captions should have only the first word capitalized.Axis captions should be followed by a comma, the symbol in iWlics,and the units in parentheses [i.e. Acceleration of particle, AI' (m/s-)]. Ifa symbol is not used, omit the comma. Letters and numerals must beat least 1.5 mm high and preferably 2 mm high in final form. Curveson graphs must be 0.3 mm wide after reduction. Axes and grid linesshould be clearly visible but inconspicuous; a width of 0.2 mm afterreduction is suggested. Figure numbers and captions should be typedon a separate page, not on the original illustrations. When a paper issubmitted for publication, the original illustrations need not be pro­vided so long as the copies are of such quality that reviewers canunderstand them. Original drawings must be provided when the paperis accepted for publication. If a drawing has been produced by acomputer package, a copy of the file should be submitted on disk at thetime that the manuscript is submitted on disk.

DISCUSSIONSDiscussions may be submitted on any paper or technical note publish­ed in the Journal for a period of not more than four months followingpublication. Discussion of a paper or technical note is open to anyonewho has significant comments or questions about the content of thepaper/technical note. A discussion will not be accepted for publicationif it contains material readily found elsewhere, is purely speculative,introduces personalities, or otherwise falls below the standards of atechnical paper in a professional journal. Authors will be given anopportunity to reply to discussions.

The format for discussions differs from those of papers in thatfigures are to be identified by capital letters to avoid confusion withthe original paper. The discusser should refer to himlherself as "thewriter" or "I" and to the author of the original paper as "the author."The first page shows the title of the original paper with a footnote toidentify the author, volume, page, and date. Name and address of thewriter of the discussion follow the title.

Discussions will be reviewed hy the Editorial Board and possiblythe reviewers of the original paper. The length of a discussion isrestricted to one journal page. Lengthy discussions will be returned forshortening, or the writer may be encouraged to submit a paper ortechnical note.

REFERENCENorum, O.I. and O.S. Jayas. 1995. Instructions for preparing a paperfor Canadian AgriCIIltural Engineering. Canadian Agricultural Engi­/leering 37(3):239-243.