Erfarenheter av några utfodringssystem till får
The evaluation of the function of the feeding of sheep herds is suggested to involve the work
effort, the fulfilment of the nutrient needs of the sheep and the feed waste. Mechanisation of
the feeding can be very simple or include high degrees of mechanisation.
Three different farms, representing different levels of mechanisation are presented.
Descriptions and analysis of the feeding systems including mechanisation, work effort and
estimations of the feed waste are made on each farm. The herd with the most advanced feed
mechanisation included a rolling feed band and mix wagon. The other farms were partly or
little mechanised including ad lib feeding from big bales and manual distribution of hay and
concentrates.
The most mechanised farm was able to feed a large herd of sheep at a low work effort and
little feed waste. However, the investment in machinery has to be weighed against the
improved efficiency. In the case of ad libitum feeding of silage bales, the small work effort
has to be weighed against the feed waste. The farms with the least degree of mechanisation,
the low roof height of the sheep barn severely limited the possibilities of further
mechanisation and expansion of the herd and a large work effort was needed.