Wooldridge, Damien Christopher (2014) Methods of feeding out white cottonseed to livestock. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
With the ever increasing demand of beef export from Australia, the importance of maintaining livestock health is becoming increasingly difficult with the current climate changes. Producers are forced to source new feed at lower cost to them but keeping the same nutritional value for their livestock. One of these 'super nutrient' feeds include White Cottonseed (WCS). WCS is the waste product of the cotton ginning process and is given the nickname of 'triple nutrient'. High in fat, protein and fibre of this product keeps the livestock fed for longer periods and is cheaper to source since it is a waste product. The
main difficulty producers have with the supplement is the physical handling of it. It proves difficult to flow and binds together in a Velcro like nature. The need for a system that can overcome this difficulty will make the feeding of this product simpler and less demanding
on the producer.
This project aims to research into the current methods of feeding this product, looking into the current systems being used for this application and creating an improved or new system to be implemented. Since this project is aimed at drought effected producers, low cost is the biggest priority. Through an extensive literature review it was found that there is basically no system available worldwide that meets the demand of this project hence the creation of a new prototype is to be implemented. The limits created for this prototype were low cost, must fit in the confines of a utility tray, powered solely by the 12 Volt DC supply from the utility and should contain a modified floor system that will move the feed from a storage bin to a portion dispenser unit.
After a critical analysis of the current methods it was discovered through a decision matrix, that a modified conveyor system would be most appropriate for this specific application. The conveyor is to have teeth on the belt that will pull at the product and deliver it to a trap door dispenser unit that will drop a portion every six to eight meters significant enough to feed six head of cattle. The timing will be operated by a gear and chain drive off
the main axle. The whole system will be driven by a 12 Volt DC Electric Motor and the initial prototype size will hold approximately 750 kg of WCS. The whole design will come within the given budget at an estimated cost of $5400.00 AUD. This is relatively cheap in the feeder market and should prove to be easily marketable to producers in Australia. The added benefit of such a system include the huge reduction in time required to feed livestock. Also the physical demand will be greatly reduced as the system will be fully automated and push button activated. The system will also be able to be utilised while the producer is checking his cattle or other jobs throughout his property. Finally the system will not be limited to WCS but will be able to be used for many other feed products including grain, feed pellets etc. The prototype designed by this project will benefit producers throughout the agricultural field greatly and proves to have significant potential.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) project. |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Chen, Guangnan |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Sep 2015 05:19 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Mar 2016 02:53 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | livestock; beef livestock; livestock health; livestock feeding; white cottonseed feed; cattle feed |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 09 Engineering > 0999 Other Engineering > 099901 Agricultural Engineering |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 40 ENGINEERING > 4099 Other engineering > 409901 Agricultural engineering |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/27297 |
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