Työnmenekistä lehdesten teossa sekä lepän ja koivun lehtien kokoomuksesta ja rehuarvosta

Authors

• Paavo Kananoja Mustialan Maamiesopisto, Mustiala

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71173

Abstract

Work requirements for gathering of leaf fodder were investigated by using the following methods: 1) leaf fodder was gathered in ordinary way into bunches about 1,2 m in length and 30 cm in diameter, dried and stored in barn, 2) leaf fodder was cut in 3—4 m long pieces, placed on drying-hurdle 1 and allowed to stay there until winter. The quantity of leaves to be gained was determined and the fodder analyzed both fresh and dried. On the basis of the analyses the feed unit value and content of digestible protein were calculated. The chief results were as follows: The fresh bunches of leaf fodder contained 45 % leaves and 55 % undershrub; the air-dry bunches 43 % leaves and 57 % undershrub. In the course of drying the bunches lost about 50 % of their weight, the loss being approximately the same in regard to leaves and undershrub. The chemical composition of the dry matter of alder and birch leaf was approximately equal to that of good clover-hay, the former having, however, a higher protein content. During drying and storing changes took place in the composition of the leaf dry matter, N-free extracts and raw fat were decreased while fibre and protein were increased, the last mentioned in a considerable degree. The change in the leaf fodder stored upon hurdle was more distinct than in fodder bound in bunches. These changes indicate that nutritive losses have occurred in the leaves during storage and especially in the hurdle method these losses have been heavy. On the basis of the analyses it was calculated that 100 kg of dry (85 % dry matter) stripped leaves of alder make 43 f.u. and the same quantity of birch leaves 46 f.u. Accordingly 100 kg of fresh bunches of leaf fodder contained 8 f.u. and 100 kg of dry bunches 16 f.u. Dry leaves of alder contained 9,1 % digestible pure protein and those of birch 7,3 %. Gathering of bunches required 86,2 minutes of efficient working time per 100 kg of fresh leaf fodder. The average work output in a 10 hour day was 114 pieces of 5 kg bunches corresponding to about 44 f.u. The transport to barn required besides 16,9 min. of man work and 12,0 min. of horse work per 100 kg of fresh bunches. The efficient working time required for the making of hurdles was 63,4 min. per the amout of leaf fodder which corresponded to 100 kg of fresh bunches or some 30 % less than for the gathering of bunches. The leaf fodder stored on the hurdles lost its green colour before winter, turned dark brown and was reluctantly eaten by sheep. In the bunches the leaves remained green and were readily eaten. It is likely that the nutritive losses and the subsequent deterioration of the leaves involved in the hurdle method are so great that this procedure dan hardly be recommended although the work reserve is considerable compared with that in the gathering of bunches and no storage room is required.