Development and justification of a finger shaft for leveling the forage mass layer

Abstract

In this study, I explore the development and implementation of a finger shaft designed to level the forage mass layer, which is crucial in feed production. The problem of uneven feed distribution leads to losses, reduced quality, and lower animal productivity, negatively impacting farm economics. I propose using a finger shaft to distribute the mass evenly, speeding up the process and reducing the need for manual labor.

The experiment was conducted on a dairy farm with 60 cows divided into three groups, each fed using different methods: manual feeding, automatic feeders, and a combined approach. I analyzed how these feeding methods affected feed intake, distribution uniformity, and animal productivity.

The results showed that the use of the finger shaft and automatic feeders significantly improved the even distribution of feed, leading to higher feed consumption and better fermentation conditions. This resulted in increased productivity (a 10–20% rise in milk yield) and reduced labor costs.

The findings indicate that the finger shaft can significantly enhance feed distribution processes and reduce losses, positively affecting farm profitability. Future research could focus on improving the shaft's design to handle more demanding conditions. One limitation of this study is its short duration and small scale, so long-term results are yet to be determined.