A field experiment was carried out to determine the effects of conditioning methods and tedding frequency on the drying rate and quality of Italian ryegrass hay. Italian ryegrass was cut with three types of mower conditioners (un conditioned, impeller...
A field experiment was carried out to determine the effects of conditioning methods and tedding frequency on the drying rate and quality of Italian ryegrass hay. Italian ryegrass was cut with three types of mower conditioners (un conditioned, impeller, roller) and tedded with rake-tedder once or twice daily during field curing. The field drying rate of Italian ryegrass hay was the highest in roller conditioner. Conditioning treatment shorten the date from 1 to 1.5 compare with unconditioned. Drying rate of Italian ryegrass plant had been affected by tedding frequency within 3 days after it was cut, but it was ineffective after 3 days. There is no effect on acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) but effect crude protein (CP) and relative feed value (RFV) by conditioning treatment in nutritive value of Italian ryegrass hay.