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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #113158

Title: MECHANIZATION: PLANNING AND SELECTION OF EQUIPMENT

Author
item Rotz, Clarence - Al

Submitted to: Grassland International Congress Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2000
Publication Date: 2/11/2001
Citation: Rotz, C.A. 2001. Mechanization: planning and selection of equipment. Grassland International Congress Proceedings. 19:763-768.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The planning and selection of equipment for harvest and handling of forage crops can greatly impact the performance and profitability of a farm. The type and size of equipment used affects the harvested yield and nutritive value of the forage crop as well as production costs. Through interactions with other parts of the farm, these effects can impact market value of the forage, animal intake and performance, delays in other field operations, other production costs, and ultimately farm profit. Standard procedures and relationships have been developed for determining the most appropriate equipment for a given production system. Because of the large number and complexity of computations involved, software tools have been created to simplify the process and to develop more comprehensive evaluations of the interactions of yield and nutritive value on other parts of the farm operation. Proper planning and selection of equipment can help assure a profitable operation that meets current and future goals of the farm.