Technology of mechanized harvesting of quality hay in the conditions of the European North of Russia

The article deals with the features of the main technological methods for obtaining high-quality hay under intensive use of harvesting equipment. We have presented promising methods of harvesting high-quality hay mainly in the pressed form. This allows solving the problem of low-quality forage and increasing milk productivity in cattle breeding. The purpose of the research is to analyze and identify the agrotechnical methods of using a set of machines in the technology of mechanized harvesting of high-quality pressed hay in the conditions of the European North of Russia. The novelty of the research is determined by the interrelation of agrotechnical requirements and the applicable set of machines for obtaining high-quality hay by reducing the harvesting time in the conditions of the European North of Russia. There is an influence of the provision of forage harvesting equipment on the efficiency of fodder procurement. The method of research includes the substantiation of effective agronomic techniques and modern technologies of harvesting high-quality hay. Violation of hay harvesting technology leads to a decrease in its quality, as the total loss of nutrients can reach 40%, carotene - up to 70-90%. It is also possible to significantly reduce the loss of quality of hay by means of artificial drying. Active ventilation of hay reduces the time of harvesting, while the collection of hay increases by 15-20%, the maximum content of protein and carotene is preserved compared to field drying.