Rational management of dairy farming requires the use of high-quality fodder with the application of modern technologies of their harvesting. In the severe conditions of the North-West of the Russian Federation, in order to obtain high-quality hay, it is necessary to apply artificial drying of herbage. The authors carry out a comprehensive analysis of existing technologies of hay preparation and consider various ways of its drying. The aim of the research is to develop a technology for producing high-quality bulky feed using a vacuum pulse method of removing moisture. The novelty of the research is to study the use of vacuum pulse method for moisture removal to develop a technology for producing high-quality bulky feed. Research methods include the definition of theoretical foundations and analytical comparison of technologies used in the production of high-quality feed. To determine the best solution in the preparation of high-quality feed from an economic and energy point of view, the article provides a systematic analysis of existing technologies of feed preparation, as well as modern methods and methods of moisture removal. An analytical review of the information on the topic has shown that the process of drying bulky feed from plant material in rolls and bales using a vacuum method of moisture removal has not yet been studied and has not received practical experience. The article provides information about this process. For harvesting high quality fodder, the authors propose a vacuum-pulse method of moisture removal, which received patent of invention No. 2476085. The method is based on the creation of certain periods of drying, including heating the plant material in vacuum conditions. Prospects for further research in this area are to implement the production line and determine the operating conditions of the equipment. The application of the developed method of drying hay in rolls in vacuum will help obtain high-quality hay, reduce the drying time and reduce energy costs twice
Keywords
drying, post-harvest processing, feed, pressed hay, vacuum, coolant, energy costs