Features of application of timber harvest methods in the forests of Ukraine

In this paper, we present the basic features of final felling in Ukraine. Prevailing timber harvest methods and their areas were considered. For analyzing the volumes of modern forest exploitation were data from permits for final felling on actual cuttings in of all forestry enterprises of Ukraine. Studies were conducted for the period 2019-2020. It was installed that clearcutting is the main timber harvest method (95 % in Kyiv region, 45 % in Lviv region). Among other methods, the leading place is shelterwood. During the study period, only two (uniform and strip) and three (group) reception of shelterwood were recorded. The areas of stands designed for shelterwood final felling are significantly lower than those defined by the rules. The use of the single tree selection method is more related to deciduous plantations, which indirectly indicates the predominance of deciduous stands of uneven-aged stands in Ukraine. Shelterwood and single tree selection removes methods are applied in Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Lviv, Zakarpattia, Zhytomyr regions. A characteristic feature is the predominance of coniferous areas stands during clearcutting. Area of deciduous stands are larger compared to coniferous during shelterwood. Combined method is the less popular in Ukraine. It has been carried out at 9,4 hectares for two years. Average logging areas range from 1-2 hectares for clearcutting, 1-5 hectares for shelterwood and 2-8 hectares for combined method. Designed logging areas are significantly lower than those introduced by Ukrainian legislation. The implementation of the principles of close-to-nature forestry can be provided by reduction in the volume of clearcutting. Increasing of shelterwood and single tree selection methods, which are close-to-nature, will ensure the cultivation of mixed uneven-aged forest stands of high vigor, productivity and biological stability. Studies reflect regional and species features and benefits of timber harvest methods in the forests of Ukraine.

Floristic diversity and management of fodder resources of the natural pastures of the Savanna Highlands of Western Cameroon

Sustainable management of pastoral resources requires knowledge in terms of floristic diversity and productivity of the rangelands. The objective of the present study carried out in the Bamboutos Mountains was to assess the floristic diversity and carrying capacity of the natural pastures. Floristic inventory was done using the method of quadrat point aligned in 15 plots of 400 m². Aerial phytomass of herbaceous plants was measured by the full harvest method. A total of 74 species, including 09 woody plants belonging to 56 genera and 20 families were recorded. The number of taxa recorded in the plots varied from 11 to 36 species. Imperata cylindrica with a specific contribution of presence of 17.45% was the most abundant species in the rangeland. The species-richest families were Poaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Cyperaceae. The calculated pastoral value of the pasture was 56.21%. These pastures were dominated by phanerophytes (29.72%) and therophytes (24.32%). The forage productivity of the grazed area, estimated based on the regrowth biomass was 6498.57 kg DM/ha while the carrying capacity of the rangeland was 2.31 TLU/ha. These results showed that the fodder potential of the Bamboutos Mountains is enough diversified but remains under exploited.

Effect of ammoniation and harvest method on waste and consumption of corn residue bales fed to cows in a round bale feeder

To determine the effects of harvest method and ammoniation (3.7% of dry matter) on consumption and waste of baled corn residue, a 6 × 6 Latin square with a 3 × 2 factorial treatment structure was conducted. Six treatments consisted of either nonammoniated or ammoniated residue, harvested one of three ways: conventional rake and bale (CONV), New Holland Cornrower with two rows of stem chopped into the windrow with tailings (2ROW), or EZBale system (EZB) with a disengaged combine spreader and tailings dropped in a windrow. Open cows were grouped by body weight to produce a light block of two pens (448 kg ± 49.6) and a heavy block of four pens (649 kg ± 65.9). One bale was fed to each pen during each of six 7-d periods using round bale ring feeders with closed bottom panels. Residue falling around (waste) and remaining in (refusals) the feeder was collected. The daily nutrient intake was estimated as the difference between what was offered and what remained (waste plus refusals). Crude protein (CP) of residue offered did not differ (P = 0.58) among harvest methods. The digestible organic matter (DOM) content of residue offered in 2ROW and EZB bales did not differ (P = 0.86) and was greater (P < 0.01) than CONV. Ammoniation increased (P < 0.01) CP and DOM content of the residue offered. Total wasted and refused residue did not differ (P = 0.12) between 2ROW (29%) and EZB (37%), while CONV (42%) was greater (P = 0.02) than 2ROW but did not differ (P = 0.34) from EZB. Ammoniation reduced (P = 0.03) total waste and refusals from 41% to 32%. The nutrient content of both waste and refusals did not differ (P ≥ 0.34) among harvest methods and, with the exception of CP, was not affected (P ≥ 0.15) by ammoniation. The CP content of the waste was greater (P = 0.02) and refusals tended to be greater (P = 0.08) from ammoniated bales. The CP intake of 2ROW was greater (P ≤ 0.02) than both EZB and CONV, while EZB tended (P = 0.06) to be greater than CONV. The CP intake of all ammoniated residues was greater (P < 0.01) than the nonammoniated residue. The DOM intake of nonammoniated 2ROW and EZB did not differ (P = 0.61) but was greater than nonammoniated CONV (P < 0.01). Ammoniation increased (P < 0.01) DOM intake. Overall, ammoniation had much larger effects than harvest method, resulting in reduced waste and refusals and greater intake of DOM and CP. However, the combination of both ammoniation and selective harvest (2ROW or EZB) was needed to result in energy and protein intakes that would meet the needs of a mature cow in mid-gestation.

Harvest Techniques for Hops (Humulus lupulus)

Hops (Humulus lupulus) are perennial plants commonly harvested for their mature strobiles, also referred to as cones, which are primarily dried and used as a bittering agent and preservative in beer production. The two primary factors of harvest timing and harvest method can have large impacts on the quality and economics of the finished product. The decision of when and how to harvest is important and should rely upon growing-region-specific environmental conditions, physical observations of the cones, and the wants and needs of the individual producer. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department describes the primary methods used in hop harvesting, including field, indoor, and machine harvesting. Written by Sean Michael Campbell and Brian J. Pearson.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep578

Comparison of the Phenolic Profiles of Juice and Cider Derived from Machine- and Hand-harvested ‘Brown Snout’ Specialty Cider Apples in Northwest Washington

‘Brown Snout’ cider apple (Malus ×domestica) is desired by cider makers for its relatively high levels of phenolics, and over-the-row machine harvesting of ‘Brown Snout’ has been demonstrated to provide similar yield to hand harvest at a significantly lower cost. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a measurable impact of harvest method on the phenolic profile of ‘Brown Snout’ juice and cider to better inform equipment adoption recommendations. Using a redox titration assay, the titratable tannin content (± SE) of juice (0.19% ± 0.01%) and cider (0.19% ± 0.01%) were found not to differ due to harvest method. Using a protein precipitation assay, juice from machine-harvested fruit was found to have lower levels of total tannins [231 ± 36 mg·L−1 catechin equivalents (CE)] than juice from hand-harvested fruit (420 ± 14 mg·L−1 CE). However, the total tannins of cider did not differ due to harvest method, the overall average for machine and hand harvest was 203 ± 22 mg·L−1 CE. The total phenolics of juice and cider did not differ due to harvest method (1415 ± 98 mg·L−1 CE and 1431 ± 73 mg·L−1 CE, respectively). Discriminant analysis based on an average of 33 tentatively identified phenolic compounds, as measured by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry, showed no separation due to harvest method in juice or cider. In conclusion, over-the-row machine harvesting of ‘Brown Snout’ resulted in a final product of similar quality at reduced labor costs, and thus shows potential for increasing the commercial sustainability of cider apple operations.

PSII-15 Effect of ammoniation and harvest method on waste and consumption of corn residue bales fed to cows in a round bale feeder

To determine the effects of harvest method and ammoniation (3.7% of DM) on the consumption and waste of baled corn residue, a 6 x 6 Latin square with a 3 x 2 factorial treatment structure was conducted. Six treatments consisted of either untreated or ammoniated residue, harvested one of three ways: conventional rake-and-bale (CONV), New Holland Cornrower with two rows of stem chopped into the windrow with tailings (2ROW), or EZ-Bale system (EZB) with a disengaged combine spreader and tailings dropped in a windrow. Open beef females (12 heifers and 30 cows) were stratified and blocked by age into 6 pens (7 hd/pen) such that each pen had similar total BW. One bale was fed to each pen over six, 7 d periods using round-bale ring feeders with closed bottom panels. Residue falling around (waste) and remaining in (orts) the feeder were weighed. There was a significant (P < 0.01) harvest method by ammoniation interaction for DMI (% BW) and a tendency (P = 0.07) for waste. Intake of non-ammoniated EZB (1.6%) was greater (P = 0.03) than CONV (1.3%) and 2ROW (1.4%) which did not differ (P = 0.80). Intake of ammoniated CONV (1.2%) and EZB (1.5%) did not differ (P = 0.45) from their non-ammoniated counterpart, but ammoniation increased intake of 2ROW (1.9%). Within the unammoniated residue, waste did not differ (P > 0.13) among harvest methods and was 17.8%, 23.4%, and 22.7% for EZB, CONV and 2ROW. Ammoniated EZB (16.3%) and CONV (21.8%) did not differ from each other or their unammoniated counterpart. However, waste (10.6%) of ammoniated 2ROW was less (P < 0.01) than non-ammoniated 2ROW. Ammoniation and, to a lesser extent, harvest method, can be used to increase intake and reduce waste of corn residue bales fed to cows.

Impact of Simulated Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Kernel Feeding on Field Corn Yield

Corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, has not been considered an economic pest of field corn. Historical losses estimates ranged from 1.5 to 2.5%, and a large number of foliar insecticide applications would be needed to minimize infestations. In recent years, Bt, Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) field corn, Zea mays (L.) Poales: Poaceae, technologies that exhibit activity against corn earworm have been introduced. However, it is unclear how much damage to corn ears (number of damaged kernels) is required to reduce yield. In this study manual damage methods were utilized to inflict defined levels of kernel damage and to impose damage at levels greater than observed with natural corn earworm infestations. Bt corn hybrids expressing the Agrisure Viptera (Vip 3A) trait were used to minimize injury from natural infestations of corn earworm. Manual kernel damage was imposed at R3 stage to mimic corn earworm feeding while avoiding interference with pollination. These methods were used in experiments where treatments were applied to individual ears and hand-harvested and in experiments where treatments were applied to all primary ears in the plot and machine-harvested. Damage of ≥60 kernels per ear was required to significantly reduce yield regardless of harvest method. Kernel damage from natural corn earworm infestations reported in other studies was much lower than 60 kernels per ear. Timely planting is a key component of all integrated pest management programs. Field corn planted during the recommended planting window for optimum yield is unlikely to experience corn earworm damage great enough to reduce yield.

Effect of harvest method and ammoniation of baled corn residue on intake and digestibility in lambs

To determine the effect of harvest method and ammoniation on both in vivo and in vitro digestibility of corn residue, six corn residue treatments consisting of three different harvest methods either with or without anhydrous ammonia chemical treatment (5.5% of dry matter [DM]) were evaluated. The harvest methods included conventional rake-and-bale (CONV) and New Holland Cornrower with eight rows (8ROW) or two rows (2ROW) of corn stalks chopped into the windrow containing the tailings (leaf, husk, and upper stem) from eight rows of harvested corn (ammoniated bales of each harvest method resulted in treatments COVAM, 8RAM, and 2RAM). Nine crossbred wether lambs (49.2 ± 0.5 kg BW) were fed 64.2% corn residue, 29.8% wet corn gluten feed, 3.3% smooth-bromegrass hay, and 2.8% mineral mix (DM basis) in a 9 × 6 Latin rectangle metabolism study with a 3 × 2 factorial treatment to measure total tract disappearance. Six 21-d periods consisted of 14-d adaptation and 7-d total fecal collection, and lambs were fed ad libitum (110% of the previous day’s DM intake [DMI]) during days 1 to 12 and reduced to 95% of ad libitum intake for days 13 to 21. There was a harvest method by ammoniation interaction (P &lt; 0.01) for ad libitum DMI (days 7 to 11). Ammoniation increased (P &lt; 0.01) intake across all harvest methods, where 2RAM DMI was 4.1%, COVAM was 3.6%, and 8RAM was 3.1%, which were all different (P &lt; 0.01) from each other, but all untreated residues were consumed at 2.6% of BW (P ≥ 0.92) regardless of harvest method. There were no interactions (P &gt; 0.34) between harvest method and ammoniation for any total tract or in vitro digestibility estimate. Harvest method affected (P &lt; 0.04) DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility, where 2ROW was greater than both CONV and 8ROW, which did not differ. The organic matter (OM) digestibility (P = 0.12) and digestible energy (DE; P = 0.30) followed the same numerical trend. Both in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro OM digestibility (IVOMD) of the residue were affected (P &lt; 0.01) by harvest method, with 2ROW being greater (P &lt; 0.01) than both CONV and 8ROW. For IVDMD, 8ROW was not (P = 0.77) different from CONV, but 8ROW IVOMD was lower (P = 0.03) than CONV. Ammoniation improved (P &lt; 0.01) DM, OM, NDF, and ADF digestibility of all harvest methods, resulting in a 26% increase (P &lt; 0.01) in DE due to ammoniation. Similar digestibility improvements were observed in vitro with ammoniation improving IVDMD and IVOMD by 23% and 20%, respectively. Both selective harvest methods and ammoniation can improve the feeding value of baled corn residue.