We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.US hay dryer arrives in the UK
SUPPLIERS of hay to the lucrative racehorse market must meet high standards, with products being free of dust and mycotoxins, which can be harmful to equine athletes.
Robinson Farms of County Kildare, Ireland is importing the American-built Veda Hay Dryer which dries forage baled at 28-30 per cent moisture down to 12 per cent using low temperature forced air.
The benefits are said to be the elimination of the risk of crop becoming spoiled by rain in the field and retention of nutritious and palatable leafy matter, which can be lost in traditionally harvested hay.
More cuts
Drying with forced air avoids fermentation in the bales, which can make them unsuitable for feeding to horses. As the hay is harvested earlier, it is also possible to achieve more cuts per year.
The Veda Hay Dryer is of modular construction and each model is made up of two chambers that also act as ventilating ducts.
A ventilating unit is situated to one side of the machine and consists of a burner and a fan, the latter connected to the chambers via flexible ducts.
Moisture sensors can be inserted into the bales and connected to the control panel to automatically shut down the machine once the correct levels are reached.
Up to six square or eight round bales can be accommodated per module, but the machine will also take conventional bales.
The burner is powered by gas or diesel, and three-phase electricity is needed for the fan. Drying costs are put at £12-20 per tonne. Prices start at £40,000.