P.C. MALI¹, RAKESH PANCHOLY¹, BRIJ K. MATHUR¹ and P.C. PANDE²

¹Division of Animal Sciences & Rodent Control, and
²Division of Energy Management, Engineering and Product Processing, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India

Abstract

Six methods of drying hay for dry season feeding were compared, including solar drying devices, electrical oven-type devices and traditional sun-air and shade drying. Traditional processes like shade drying and sun-air drying resulted in comparatively higher loss of nutrients, especially in terms of crude protein and carbohydrate level with 12–40% losses in crude protein concentration, 28–49% reduction in carbohydrate concentration and significant reduction in chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations (72–91%). Solar dryers have been found to be more efficient with lower nutrient losses and their renewable nature and may be used for hay making especially in regions where fodder deficits occur in the dry season.