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Preparation of Maize Stalk Fodder for Cattle (2016 – 2017)

M A Hoque
Farm Machinery & Postharvest Process Engineering Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

M IsrailHossain
Farm Machinery & Postharvest Process Engineering Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

Md.MiarUddin
Farm Machinery & Postharvest Process Engineering Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

Md. Amirul Islam
Farm Machinery & Postharvest Process Engineering Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

BARI straw chopper has been improved with a number of blades for chopping maize stalk. Shortage of feed supply of the cattle during the dry season is an important issue that could be partially met by maize stalk. An experiment was conducted to prepare maize stalk fodder for cattle. The BARI chopper was improved for chopping maize stalk in a smaller size (7-8mm). The total chopping cost per hour was 0.21 taka per kg. The chopped maize stalk in both fresh and dried conditions with different combinations was served to the cattle and found that smaller sized chopped pieces of both dried and fresh maize stalk could be feed in both raw modes and mixing with slat, wheat bran and water with little molasses. Maize stalk block also prepared with different combinations and found that block made by liquid Gur was better in both physical and cattle likeness. The total cost of block per kg was 13.85, 31.35, 28.85 and 36.35 taka for MS block 1, MS block 2, MS block 3 and MS block 4, respectively. Further study will be conducted i) to develop the chopper for increasing capacity and reducing price, ii) to follow up storability of the chopped maize stalk and liking behavior by the cattle ii) to search for alternate binding material to make a block, iv) to search the alternate recipe as supplementary feed.

Keywords: Maize stalk, feed, Molasses, Cattle

Location: Farm Machinery and Postharvest Process Engineering Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur.

Start Date: 00-00-2016

End Date: 00-00-2017

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Fodder, Cattle

Objectives:

i. To improve the BARI chopper to find out effective size of maize stalk ii. To determine suitable mixture of molasses and stalk pieces. iii. To find out the storability of maize stalk feed.

Methodology:

A straw chopper was available at Farm Machinery and Postharvest Process Engineering Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur. The chopper was modified for chopping maize stalk into small pieces. The number of blades, feeding tray and power transmission systems were modified. The description of different parts of the chopper are described below Feeding tray: A tray was made of sheet metal. The length of the tray was revised to feed the maize stalk and store it. The tray dimension was 500x180x 16mm. Feeding sprocket: There were two oppositely rotating feeding sprockets with 75 mm diameter and 180 mm length. Cutting blade: Cutting blades were attached in a 710 mm diameter wheel made of MS rod. There were two blades (300mm X 100 mm) which were made of high carbon steel settled on a blade base (340 mm x 120 x 20 mm). Additional two blades with the same dimension were attached with it. Blade casing: The blades were covered with a casing made of sheet metal. It was a round box having 900 mm diameter and 160 mm width. Delivery chute: The chopped maize stalk was delivered with a chute. The dimension of the chute was 360x280 mm x120 mm where the topside was open. Frame: The mainframe was carrying all load of the machine. The hopper, blades with casing and delivery chute was attached with it. Dimension was 1550 x 570 x 640 mm. But the Overall dimension was 1550 x 1380 x 1270 mm. The chopper was tested with fresh and dried maize stalks. Two different sizes of stalks were fed to the cows to evaluate their interest in eating. The chopped stalks were also served to the cow with a different recipe. To prepare alternative animal feed the maize stalks were formulated to cubic silage like cake. Different silage blocks were prepared with a various ratio of maize stalk and binding materials. The binding materials were molasses, sugar, liquid Gur and solid Gur. For all combinations, the binding material was heated for 15-20 minutes up to when the sticky phase comes. 250ml water was added with 1 kg liquid or solid Gur before heating. Then chopped maize stalks were mixed with binding materials with a 1:1 by weight ratio. Then keep them to be cool for 5 minutes and after then the mixture was inserted and pressed to a 200 mm X 100 mm cubic frame to give a shape.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report 2016 – 2017, Farm Machinery & Postharvest Process Engineering Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Maize stalk could be considered as a good cattle feed and could be served by chopping in 7-10 mm size with BARI chopper. The chopped maize stalk could be feed either in fresh or dried conditions. Thus, the maize stalk could be stored for time of disasters also. The maize stalk block also could be prepared and feed to the cattle through the unit price is a little more. Further study will be conducted i) to develop the chopper for increasing capacity and reducing price, ii) to follow up storability of the chopped maize stalk and liking behavior by the cattle ii) to search for alternate binding material to make a block, iv) to search the alternate recipe as supplementary feed.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings