DRIED LUCERNE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 200, 21 May 1936, Page 14

DRIED LUCERNE

Dehydrating Plant for Marlborough?

A VALUABLE PROCESS

(By

Cultivator. )

An interesting proposal for the establishment of a dehydrating plant for the pioductiou of dried lucerne products eman-

ates from Marlborough. This process involves the taking of the green lucerne from the field direct to the factory. By means of hot air the moisture content is extracted to a sufficient minimum to enable it to Ire ground iuto meal or com pressed into bales. Before drying, however, the lucerne is first chaffed. Should this proposal with ils distinct possibilities become a reality it will no doubt mean a great deal to the Marlborough province. There would also, seem to be scope for a limited number of similar enterprises in other parts of the Dominion. Emphasis is given to this by die large and important part played in New Zealand farming operations by the production of bay and ensilage. It is estimated that the yearly production is not less than 1,250,060.1)00 tons. In addition to this some £-10,000 in value of meals and concentrates are imported.

Research has proved to us that in the ordinary field method of drying hay much of the valuable food content, namely carotene and vitamins, is lost. Under a system of dehydration, however, this content is preserved and the product thus retains the food value of fresh pasture. By the introduction of such a system iarmers would be able to market their fodder crops in a much more economical foodvalue form. Factors which do not call for a great deal of visualising are savings to the farmer of. the expense of harvesting, stacking, thatching, and pressing, as well as the loss often experienced as a result of bad weather when the fodder is in the stack. Another factor which should be readily recognised is that of the provision of an immediate market.

When grown for dehydration purposes, the green fodder i« eut at an earlier stage of growth than for ordinary hay. and, furthermore, a greater number of cuts a year are obtainable. This, of course, means a larger yield to the acre, and also has the advantage that frequent cutting has the tendency to keep weeds down. The product in its meal form is valuable for the feeding of pigs, calves and fowls. Tn fact, it has been shown by experiments that the meal has an equal value to the ordinary food concentrates, such as oil cake and linseed meal, at present used.

For a number of years the dehydration of fodder crops has been the subject of continuous research in the northern hemisphere. especially in Great Britain and Denmark. .Much experimental work has also been carried out in designing plants capable of dealing with the process on an economical basis. This work has finally resulted in machinery being placed on the market which it is claimed will give the desired result at a cost which will enable the product to compete successfully with other products. Plants are now being established in suitable centres, particularly in Denmark, where the process has developed to a stage at which the tops from the sugar-beet crops are being treated. These previously were merely cut off and left to rot in the fields. One of the first matters for investigation, it would seem, is that of the provision of a continuous supply of lucerne. It has been stated that some SOOO to 10,000 tons of lucerne are to be handled, and if that is the case about 500 acres would be required to supply this amount. It is thought that probably some form of co-operation supply or contracts would have to be considered before the erection of a plant is undertaken.