Determination of The Effects of Different Applications on Some Forage Quality Characteristics in Alfalfa Harvesting with Disc Mowers

In this study, the effects of different harvesting systems on the drying process, dry matter loss and some forage quality characteristics of alfalfa were investigated. In the research, alfalfa, a forage plant, was harvested with three different harvesting systems: disc mower (UI), disc mower + rubber roller conditioning unit (UII), and disc mower + finger type conditioning unit (UIII) and baling has been done. The trials were conducted according to the randomized block trials design. In the research, moisture content, drying rate, dry matter loss, forage quality values and relative forage values were determined depending on the drying time of the harvesting systems. At the end of the third day of harvesting applications, moisture losses were determined as 34.94%, 39.13% and 31.51%, drying ratios as 3.05, 2.95 and 3.37, and total dry matter losses as 3.72%, 2.26% and 7.80% in UI, UII and UIII applications, respectively. CP values, which express forage quality after baling, are on average 17.63%, 21.33% and 16.87% in UI, UII and UIII applications has been determined respectively, ADF values are 26.93%, 28.27% and 30.76%, NDF values if 31.97%, 30.93% and 34.77%. The relative forage value was determined as 205.18%, 201.21% and 173.75%, respectively. As a result of the research, it was seen that the UII application was the best application.