A comparison of 1x3x3-inch wafers and baled alfalfa hay for milk production

Abstract

It has been estimated that 100,000 tons of alfalfa were wafered in California in 1965. Each year for the past six years increased amounts of wafered alfalfa hay have been fed to dairy cattle. A new experimental wafering machine was tested in the summer of 1965. Windrowed alfalfa was picked up by the experimental wafering machine, sprayed with water, chopped, and channeled between two wheels. A smaller wheel with scalloped cutting portions operated inside a larger wheel to compress the hay into wafers about 1 × 3 × 3 inches in size.