Apparatus for the treatment of ruminant forage material or soil

Abstract

A method for the protection or preservation of a baled ruminant forage material, such as baled hay which is intended to be utilized as a cattle feed, or the treatment of a soil surface through injection with a liquid preservative and, more particularly, a novel and unique method for the injection of pressurized liquid preservatives such a anhydrous ammonia or proprionic acid, into the baled ruminant forage material or soil. Moreover, the invention contemplates the provision of a novel apparatus for effecting the injection of the pressured liquid preservative through the intermediary of the inventive method. When used with a baler, the injection system does not need to cycle with the baler, but injects the liquid preservative into the bale subsequent to the bale having been completely formed, and without the necessity for any reciprocating injector needles or probes having to penetrate into the baled ruminant forage material. In essence, the inventive apparatus eliminates the need for movable injector needles or probes and, moreover, necessitate the use of only one solenoid so as to simplify the system and enhance the degree of reliability of operation thereof. Injection valves having discharge orifices or jet-forming nozzles are adapted to be positioned in proximity to the surfaces of and adjacent the path of conveyance of a baled ruminant forage material, or proximate to a soil surface, and in timing with the movement of the baled material or upon sensing the presence thereof, the injection valves are adapted to direct one or more jets of the pressurized liquid preservative against the surface, such as to cause the liquid preservative to penetrate into the bale or soil surface, to vaporize and to disperse within the bale or soil.