This paper concerns an anaerobic digestion for mechanical separated dairy cattle manure by the method of a batch operation. The operating temperatures are 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 48°C. The results obtained are summarized as follows:
1) The decomposition velocity (rate) of organic matter is strongly influenced by the operating temperature, but the organic matter concentration at the end of the digestion (VS-min, COD-min) is not affected by it.
Initial VS and COD are 3.8% and 52.2g/l respectively, whereas VS-min and COD-min are 2.3-2.6% and 33.7-37.6g/l respectively.
2) About 42-45%, by weight, of organic matter in the liquid manure is decomposed during digestion at these operating temperatures.
3) The largest volume of CH₄ gas per decomposed volatile solid (VS) is produced at 25-30°C in this test. This result implies the existence of utility valuable bacteria at a temperature lower than 35°C, the standard thermophilic operating temperature.
4) The operating temperature had no influence on the pH value at the end of the digestion period.

View full abstract

The author examined an effect of moisture content (MC) on the breaking load (P_b) of barley, wheat and soybean with the compressive test for a kernel. The all P_b of tested seeds decreased as MC increased, but the P_b change of barley to MC was less sensitive than those of other seeds.
In the particle breaking strength obtained from the measurement of P_b and pressed area, the values of paddy and brown rice were the highest, the values of barley and wheat were intermediate and the value of soybean was the lowest in the tested seeds.
In a serial experiments on thermal processing, twe temperature hardly effected on the P_b of brown rice, barley and wheat in the temperature range from -20 to 80°C and processing time from 2 to 24 hours except for soybean. Judging from germination test, the clear effect of the vigor of seeds on the P_b was not detected in these experiments.

View full abstract

The purpose of a series of studies beginning with this paper is to clarify and to improve the qualitative environment of air conditions in the agricultural structures. In this paper, the authors examined the concentration of airborne dust and airborne microbes in dairy barns. As a result of measured data, it is considered that the concentration of airborne microbes in dairy barns were prescribed with various environmental factors. The concentration of airborne dust were below 0.2mg/m³, and the airborne microbes were counted from 1 to 200CEP/l. It was concluded that common (viable) bacteria were more suitable than true fungi or Escherichia coli as an index of the microbial counts in the dairy barns. The number of the microbes which attached to respirable dust was estimated 5.0×10⁴-2.2×10⁷CFP/mg.

View full abstract

Automatic vegetable transplanters can be used to decrease labor costs and increase uniformity of growth in row crops, however, they require soil seedling blocks which are highly adaptable for use in handled mechanically.
This study has determined the basic requirements for soil blocks to be used in automatic transplanters. It is evaluated that the strength of soil blocks is greatly affected by the initial compaction level, the irrigation level and the root growth. By the time the soil blocks are transplanted to the fields, the physical properties of soil blocks are quite different from their initial condition. The amount of water added immediately before transplanting also has a great effect on strength of soil block. It is desirable to maintain the initial strength of the soil blocks between 2-5kgf/cm² in unconfined compression tests. This strength of compaction is equivalent to that of the medium compaction blocks tested. It makes the roots of seedling plants grow rapidly. By enhancing the root growth until the time of transplanting, the strength and the adaptability of the soil blocks may be maximized.
This research shows that the seedlings can now be modified to be suitable for automatic transplanters by controlling the physical properties and the environment in which they are produced.

View full abstract

The purpose of the present study was to clarify rationalized layout and appropriate dimentions of each part of the loose housing dairy facility which has a resting area equipped with free stalls (such facilities will be called “Free stall barns” for short hereafter). Twenty-eight commercial dairy farms (14 from the Hokkaido district, 10 from the Kanto-Tosan district and 4 from the Kyushu district), each raising more than 60 cows, were selected and visited by the authors. These facilities, described in the present study, may be regarded as the representative free stall barns in Japan. Each was recommended as the best functioning facility by advisors in their respective districts. We conducted measurements of the layout and structures of the barns and surveys of the utilization of those facilities. The results are summarized as follows:
1) Layout of facilities.
Regarding arrangement of stalls in the resting area of free stall barns, two rows of stalls, which were arranged along the inside of both sidewalls, were found most frequently. There were a few barns which had one, three, or four rows of stalls. About half of the barns investigated had the feed bunk inside the buildings; the other half had it outside. All milking parlors were adjoined the resting area, and most of them (78%) were adjoined at right angle to the main building. Types of stall arragement in the parlor were, for the most part, the herringbones with double-four stalls.
2) Detailed dimensions of each part of the stall.
The following dimensions were found most frequently in the barns investigated: 2, 200-2, 400mm, 1, 200-1, 250mm, 1, 000-1, 100mm and 200-300mm for stall length, stall width, height of stall partition and height of stall floor from alley level, respectively.
3) The area of each part of the barn.
The average area of the facility per head, with full intended utilization, was 12.3m². About half of the area was occupied by the alley for cattle (27.8%) and the area for stalls (23.0%). The remaining was used for feeding, milking, holding, milk room, etc.
4) Recommendation
Standard dimensions and arrangement for a free stall barn for Japanese dairy cows (assuming about 650-700kg body weight) are recommended by the authors. Recommended dimensions for the size and shape of free stalls are: 2, 400mm×1, 200mm for size of a free stall; 1, 000mm for height of stall partition (Isolated type with two fixed poles); 250mm for height of stall floor from alley level. Most appropriate arrangements and area are: Two rows of stalls arranged along the inside of both sidewalls; The milking palor of herring-bone type adjoined at right angle to the main building; Between 12m² and 13m² per head for total area of the barn.

View full abstract