Abstract
The feeding of dairy cows with hay and production of so-called “hay milk” becomes an interesting production alternative for dairy farmers in some European countries. To minimise weather risk during hay production and to produce hay of high quality, the interest of farmers in barn hay drying techniques is growing. However, there is limited information available regarding labour requirement for barn dried hay production and its feeding by current used techniques.
The aim of this study is to create calculation models (MS-Excel based) for the estimation of labour requirement for loose barn dried hay production (from harvesting until storing) and its feeding to dairy cows. Different variants with loader wagon (in use for harvesting and feeding) and hay crane (in use for filling up, shifting and emptying of drying boxes and also for feeding) are studied.
To determine the standard times for individual work elements of interest, the selected tasks are timed on the level of individual work elements by the digital device Multidata (Drigus). Moreover, influence variables and procurement quantities (volumes, distances etc.) necessary for determination of standard times are recorded at each timing.
The recorded data are regularly statistically evaluated (based on the data evaluations applied in the software Meza (Drigus) and SigmaPlot) to estimate if further measurements are necessary to be performed to obtain reliable standard times. Reliable standard times should have an accuracy of 10 % and 95 % confidence level. The standard times together with influence variables will be included in calculation models to estimate the labour requirement for the selected tasks. The calculation models should enable to calculate the labour requirement for existing farms as well as for “fictitious” farms depending on herd size and desired farm design. The timing of tasks by hay production will be performed during several cuts in course of this year. The time studies by feeding have started in March this year and will continue over the year. The first measurements were performed by feeding with the hay winch crane with remote control. The works on creation of calculation models for this variant have started as well, and preliminary data for this variant can be presented. For other variants and for tasks during dried hay production, the creation of calculation models will start after first measurements (for other variants by feeding between March and May and by hay production between May and June).
The obtained information should enable the farmer to consider labour requirement for investigated systems regarding and thus support him by the determination those best suited to his condition.
