Validation of CFD simulation for ammonia emissions from an aqueous solution

In order to model and predict ammonia emissions from animal houses, it is important to determine the concentration on the emission surface correctly. In the current literature, Henry's law is usually used to model the mass transfer through the gas-liquid surface (e.g. manure or aqueous solution). The objective of this study is to investigate the accuracy of three models for Henry's law constant (HLC) as well as functions derived from experimental vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) properties of ammonia water to determine the concentration on the liquid ammonia solutions surface in order to be used as boundary condition for CFD prediction of ammonia emission.The accuracy of CFD simulation depends on many factors. In this study, the effects of appropriate geometry model, inlet turbulent parameters and three turbulence models (low-Reynolds number k-? model, renormalization group k-? model and Shear Stress Transport k-w model) on ammonia emissions are investigated and discussed. Then the concentration boundary condition determined by different HLC models and the VLE model is validated by ammonia emissions and concentration profiles measured in the boundary layer. The results indicate that the current HLC models generally over-predict the ammonia emissions from aqueous solution in this study whereas VLE gives better agreement between simulated and measured results. A linear relation is observed between ammonia mass transfer coefficient obtained from the VLE relation and those from HLC models.     

Aerodynamic analysis and CFD simulation of several cellulose evaporative cooling pads used in Mediterranean greenhouses

The present work makes an aerodynamic analysis and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the four commercial models of corrugated cellulose evaporative cooling pads that are most widely used in Mediterranean greenhouses. The geometric characteristics of the pads have been determined as well as the volume of water they retain at different flows of water, thus obtaining the mean thickness of the sheet of water which runs down them and their porosity. By means of low velocity wind tunnel experiments, the pressure drop produced by the pads has been recorded at different wind speeds and water flows. In this way it has been possible to obtain the relationship of the permeability and the inertial factor with pad porosity using a cubic type equation. Finally, a CFD simulation with a 3D model has been carried out for both dry pads (Q_w = 0 l s⁻¹ m⁻²) and wet ones (Q_w = 0.256 l s⁻¹ m⁻²), finding good correlation between the simulated and experimental pressure drop, with maximum differences of 9.08% for dry pads and 15.53% for wet ones at an airspeed of 3 m s⁻¹.     

A new integrated CFD modelling approach towards air-assisted orchard spraying. Part I. Model development and effect of wind speed and direction on sprayer airflow

The current trend in modelling flow phenomena within trees such as in orchards follows the assumption of the space occupied by the trees as a porous and horizontally homogeneous medium to avoid the flow details associated with the individual plants. This being sufficient at a larger field or regional scale much has to be done at a plant scale to analyse the flow details within the plant and its elements especially for sensitive agricultural operations such as spraying. This article presents an integrated 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of airflow from a two-fan air-assisted cross-flow orchard sprayer through non-leafed orchard pear trees of 3 m average height. In this model the effect of the solid part of the canopy on airflow was modelled by directly introducing the actual 3D architecture of the canopy into the CFD model. The effect of small canopy parts, such as very short and thin branches and flowers that were not incorporated in the geometrical model, on airflow was simulated by introducing source-sink terms in the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) momentum and k-? turbulence equations in a sub-domain created around the branches. This model was implemented in a CFD code of ANSYS-CFX-11.0 (ANSYS, Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA). In this work it was possible to link the real 3D architecture of pear canopy into a CFD code of CFX. The model was able to capture the local effects of the canopy and its parts on wind and sprayer airflow directly by inserting the tree structure into the model which gave realistic results. The model showed that within the injection region of the sprayer there was an average reduction of the jet velocity by 1 m s⁻¹ for a distance of 2.3 m from the sprayer outlet due to the presence of leafless pear canopy. This reduction was variable at different vertical positions due to the difference in the canopy density. Maximal effect of the canopy was observed in the middle height of the trees between 0.25 m and 2.5 m which is the denser region with a bunch of several branches. The maximum velocity difference observed between these two positions was 1.35 m s⁻¹ at 1.75 m height. Thus, regions of high and low air velocity zones of the sprayer due to the variable branch density of the pear tree were predicted. The effects of wind speed and direction on the air jet from the sprayer were investigated using the model. For a cross- (direction of 90°) wind speed of 5 m s⁻¹ there was about 2 m s⁻¹ reduction in the sprayer jet velocity at the jet centre and 0.5 m horizontal shift of the jet centre towards the wind direction. Generally there was a decrease in the jet velocity with increasing cross-wind and decreasing wind direction with respect to the jet direction.     

A new integrated CFD modelling approach towards air-assisted orchard spraying—Part II: Validation for different sprayer types

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to simulate airflow from air-assisted orchard sprayers through pear canopies was validated for three different sprayers; single-fan (Condor V), two-fan (Duoprop) and four-fan sprayers (AirJet Quatt). The first two sprayers are widely used in Belgium and the latter one is a new design. Validation experiments were carried out in an experimental orchard (pcfruit, Velm, Belgium) in spring 2008. Ultrasonic anemometers were used to measure the time-averaged velocity components at different vertical positions before the tree and after the tree when the sprayers were driven through the orchard. The model was able to predict accurately the peak jet velocity, U_m from all the sprayers considered at all distances from the sprayer centre and vertical positions. More than 95% of the local relative errors of U_m were below 20%. Average relative errors, E, and root mean square errors, E_RMS, were all less than 11.04% and 1.68 m s⁻¹, respectively. The regions of high- (up to 18.0 m s⁻¹ upstream) and low (down to 2.8 m s⁻¹ downstream)-air velocity zones for all the sprayers were accurately predicted. The simulation results showed that the Condor V sprayer had a highly disturbed vertical jet velocity profile, especially at higher heights. The Duoprop sprayer had high jet velocities at the two-fan positions and lower jet velocity in between the two fans. Within the canopy height the AirJet Quatt sprayer showed a more uniform distribution of air than the other two sprayers except the minor peaks at the fan positions. These situations were all confirmed by the measurements.     

基于CFD的蛋鸭舍内环境模拟分析与验证

为优化4层层叠式笼养鸭舍舍内环境,基于计算流体动力学(computational fluid dynamics,CFD)对鸭舍内气流场、温度场及CO_2浓度场进行模拟。将笼架简化,考虑其对气流的阻挡作用,将鸭笼及鸭只视为多孔介质。模拟结果显示,进风口为湿帘时,侧墙湿帘与端墙之间存在通风死区,风速低于0.5 m·s~(-1)。进风口为通风小窗时,鸭舍未安装通风小窗区域风速小,CO_2浓度大。改变纵墙湿帘位置对鸭舍结构进行改进,改进后气流不均匀系数降低了17%。改进通风小窗布置发现,提升通风小窗分布均匀性显著降低舍内温差;提升通风小窗安装高度将显著降低舍内CO_2浓度。该研究可为蛋鸭舍结构设计提供参考。     

侧向风对航空植保无人机平面扇形喷头雾滴飘移的影响

目的 侧向风是影响植保无人机航空喷施雾滴飘移和作业效果的主要因素。探究航空植保喷施过程中侧向风对雾滴沉积和飘移的影响,为植保无人机航空喷施作业参数的选择和作业关键部件的改进提供数据支持和理论指导。方法 以常用平面扇形喷头Lechler系列的LU 120-015和LU 120-03标准压力喷头为研究对象,基于计算流体力学离散相模型的粒子跟踪技术,在适宜的边界条件下对喷施作业过程中风洞内雾滴流场和农药喷洒离散相进行模拟试验;通过仿真模拟对平面扇形喷头喷施的雾滴沉积和飘移分布情况进行可视化分析,探究雾滴粒子在不同侧风风速条件下的飘移特性;在农业航空专用风洞中,采用近似条件对雾滴的沉积飘移特性进行试验验证和分析。结果 仿真模拟结果表明,随着侧向风速的增加,离散相雾滴粒子飘移程度越严重,雾滴水平飘移越明显。随着侧向风速的增加,模拟离散相雾滴粒子的准确沉积率(R_a)呈指数下降,由14.11%下降到0.66%;水平飘移率(R_h)呈线性增加,由14.25%增加到60.58%。风洞试验结果表明,在侧风风速分别为1、3和6 m/s的条件下,雾滴的R_h分别为0.4%、48.1%和75.1%,且雾滴在风洞内部会随着侧风风速的增加发生一定程度的卷扬现象。仿真模拟与风洞测试试验的R_h具有显著相关性(R²=0.963,P<0.05)。结论 仿真模拟对航空喷施条件下的雾滴飘移具有较好的预测效果;采用仿真模拟辅助风洞试验测试的方法,可以比较准确地得出航空植保无人机作业中常用平面扇形喷头的雾滴沉积与飘移情况。     

Computer fluid dynamics prediction of climate and fungal spore transfer in a rose greenhouse

Fungal pathogens and especially grey mould are among the most virulent bio-aggressors of protected crops. A warm, moist greenhouse climate encourages the outbreak of explosive epidemics, of Botrytis cinerea in particular. The aim of this study was to simulate Botrytis spore concentration and deposition patterns in a greenhouse and model the inside climate conditions.The general flow equations were solved using the Fluent® CFD code with a simulation of the coupling between aerial transport and crop activity based on earlier research. A specific Eulerian particle transfer module was added to account for spore transfer with a new species: the Botrytis spore concentration. To describe the spore transport equation, the governing equations were modified, adding a vertical terminal velocity term accounting for the effect of gravity on the spores and sink terms accounting for spore interception by impaction or deposition.The necessary parameters for the model, together with spore concentration and climate boundary conditions, were determined in an experimental study of a rose greenhouse with roof and lateral vents equipped with insect-proof nets. These experimental devices have already been exploited for validating a ventilation model and a Botrytis spore balance. In addition to these previous studies, the present paper was essentially designed to determine greenhouse climate and spore concentration and deposition patterns.The accuracy of the inside-outside air temperature difference simulation is good but deteriorates for inside-outside air humidity. Spore transfer is also accurately simulated, with a mean error of only 0.2 sp m⁻³ for daytime and 0.53 sp m⁻³ for night time. The observed values of spore deposition show a similar order of magnitude to the simulations. However, validation was hindered by difficulties encountered in measuring spore deposition, even on an average daily time scale. Analysis of the heterogeneity of the simulated distribution of spore deposition and concentration revealed that, when the Botrytis spores came from outside, their concentrations in the air are filtered by the insect proof nets on the vent openings and then by the crop canopy - the rose stems, buds and leaves.Consequently, if, as in this case, no inoculums is produced inside the greenhouse, we note a considerable decrease in inside airborne spore concentration due to these various filters and considerable spore deposition on the crop cover near the vent openings where the air enters. This approach can provide information's on the patterns of inoculums deposition and climate conditions explaining the risks of future fungal development.     

Modelling the dispersion of aerial pollutants from agricultural buildings — an evaluation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

Agricultural buildings, especially those used for intensive livestock production, are significant sources of aerial pollutants. This paper explores some of the computational modelling methods available to predict near field concentrations of a pollutant emitted from a building opening. The modelling approaches used here are restricted in application to effectively weightless particles, such as a low concentration pollutant gas. The flow patterns were predicted using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and linked to this computed flow field were two dispersion models, a Eulerian diffusion model and a Lagrangian particle tracking technique, both used to predict ensemble mean gas concentration. Explicit account has been taken here of variations in mean wind direction, using a new technique based on the weighted summation of individual wind direction results according to the probability density function of the wind direction. The atmospheric boundary layer is characterised by variations in wind direction that do not occur in simulated wind tunnel flows and are not generally reproduced in current computational methods. For comparison, the results of the modelling approach are compared with mean concentrations of ammonia gas released as a tracer from an isolated low rise building. The results of this comparison indicate that at a distance of more than three building heights downstream the predictions from both models are satisfactory but that in the near wake the diffusion model is less successful. The weighted solutions, taking account of wind direction, give significantly improved predictions over unweighted results. Lack of plume spread is identified as the main cause of inaccuracies in predictions and this is linked to inadequate resolution of flow features and mixing in the CFD model. The use of modelling based on CFD and existing dispersion models is clearly limited and further work on non-steady state simulations of wake flows for dispersion studies is required.     

基于风洞系统的生菜空气动力学研究

针对目前利用计算流体力学软件(Computational fluid dynamics,CFD)进行植物工厂内部气流模拟仅在空载植物工厂中进行,忽略了生菜对气流存在阻碍的问题,采用风洞试验,对生菜冠层空气动力学参数进行研究。利用风洞系统测定了生菜冠层的阻力系数(C_D),并求得在不同叶面积密度(L)的情况下生菜冠层渗透率(K)与动量损失系数(C_f)之间的关系,将生菜栽培板置于风洞试验段中间位置,分别测量风洞试验段竖直方向和水平方向不同测点位置的稳态压力与风速。通过已求得的参数得到CFD建模中建立生菜多孔介质模型需要的粘滞阻力系数与惯性阻力参数。结果表明:1)本试验测得的生菜冠层阻力系数为0.02;2)成熟生菜(L=32.5 m~2/m~3),其渗透率为0.04 m~2,动量损失系数为0.13;3)动量损失系数C_f取值为0.1～1.0,当叶面积密度L为10、20、30 m~2/m~3时,作物冠层渗透率K的取值范围分别为0.25～25.00、0.06～6.25、0.03～2.78 m~2;4)成熟生菜的粘滞阻力系数为25,惯性阻力系数为1.3。     

Estimating the variability of tillage forces on a chisel plough shank by modeling the variability of tillage system parameters

In this paper, a probabilistic approach is proposed for quantifying the variability of the tillage forces for the shank of a chisel plough with narrow tines and to estimate the failure probability. An existing three-dimensional analytical model of tool forces from McKyes was used to model the interaction between the tillage tools and the soil. The variability of tillage forces was modeled, taking into account the variability of soil engineering properties, tool design parameters and operational conditions. The variability of the soil engineering properties was modeled by means of experimental observations. The dispersion effect of each tillage system parameter on the tillage forces was determined by a sensitivity analysis. The results show that the variability of the horizontal and vertical forces follows a lognormal distribution (μ = 0.872, ξ = 0.449; μ = 0.004, ξ = 0.447) and the relationship between these forces is positive and quasi-linear (ρ(P_H, P_v) = 0.93).This lognormal variability was integrated into the estimation of the failure probability for the shank by using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) and the first-order reliability method (FORM). The results obtained by these two methods, with the assumption of non-correlation between the horizontal and vertical forces, were almost identical. However, the FORM method was faster and simpler, compared to the MCS technique. Furthermore, the correlation between the horizontal and vertical forces has no significant effect on the failure probability, regardless of the correlation strength. Therefore, it is concluded that the FORM method can be used to estimate the failure probability without considering the correlation between horizontal and vertical forces.     

Vibration analysis during grass harvesting according to ISO vibration standards

This research evaluated the working efficiency and comfort of operation by measuring vibration acceleration of tractors during grass harvesting. A real-time kinematic global positioning system and an inertial measurement unit installed in a tractor normally used by farmers during grass harvesting were used to acquire tractor vibration acceleration data. Analysis of the position and vibration acceleration data of tractors by a Fourier transformation yielded a power spectrum of vibration acceleration at each frequency (1-10 Hz) and position. The root mean square of vibration acceleration at each frequency (1-10 Hz) was calculated with the center frequency of the 1/3 octave bands (1.0, 1.25, 1.6, 2.0, 2.5, 3.15, 4, 5, 6.3, 8, and 10 Hz) based on ISO standards. To evaluate the working efficiency in the grassland, geographical information system maps were generated using the power spectrum of vibration acceleration and the limit on working time for each frequency that negatively affected the tractor driver. The vibration acceleration in the longitudinal (a_x) and lateral (a_y) directions at the center frequency of the 1/3 octave band below 2.0 Hz exceeded the fatigue-decreased proficiency and reduced the comfort boundaries stipulated in ISO 2631 (1974). In the area where working characteristics are severe, the vibration acceleration in the vertical direction (a_z) is high. The vibration acceleration in the a_z direction at the center frequency of the 1/3 octave band (5-10 Hz) clearly indicates discomfort during grass harvesting and a decrease in the work efficiency beyond 1 h. The total vibration acceleration (a_ν) at the center frequency of 5.0 Hz of the 1/3 octave band served to evaluate comfort in the whole field during grass harvesting—the a_ν value is higher than that at other frequencies. The area with severe working characteristics showed a higher a_ν value at the center frequency of 8.0 Hz than that at other frequencies.     

建筑污染源的源作用与汇效应特征数值分析

基于室内建筑污染的源作用与汇效应机理,并结合数值方法分析了源作用与汇效应在室内空气环境所对应的实际边界条件下的特征,所选择的反映实际边界条件的因素包括入室新风品质、新风量大小、室内温度水平以及汇与源作用面积比.研究结果表明,入室新风品质降低和新风量增大对材料散发强度与汇效应作用强度具有相反影响,但前者会使室内挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）平均浓度水平增大而后者会使其减小;同时,室内温度水平对材料散发强度和室内VOCs平均浓度水平的影响以及汇与源作用面积比对汇效应作用强度和室内VOCs平均浓度水平的影响具有同向性.此外,根据已建立的源散发模型和汇效应模型再结合实际边界条件是获取室内建筑污染源作用与汇效应特征的有效方法.     

玉米农田空气动力学参数动态及其与影响因子的关系

对锦州玉米农田生态系统生长季内的粗糙度(z₀)和零平面位移(d)动态特征及其与风速、株高(h)和叶面积指数(LAI)的关系分析表明:零平面位移(d)在玉米拔节后10d左右,株高约1.40m时开始出现,在抽雄前为0.80-1.00m,抽雄后为1.00-1.40m;z₀在抽雄前小于0.20m,乳熟前后达到最大,约为0.40m。d/h和z₀/h分别为0.40-0.54和0.10-0.14,在h达到最大值前,分别随LAI增大而减小和增大。d出现前,z₀与风速呈负指数关系,与LAI和h都呈线性关系。d出现后,风速与z₀、d之和的关系比与各自的关系更显著;d与LAI、h都呈显著指数正相关关系,LAI、h对z₀的影响大于d和z₀+d,且h的作用大于LAI。d出现至h达到最大期间,上述各种关系最为显著。研究结果可为建立空气动力学参数的动态参数化方案及改进陆面过程模型提供依据。     

Comparisons of two numerical approaches to simulate slatted floor of a slurry pit model – Large eddy simulations

For dairy cattle buildings with slatted floor systems, about 40% of the ammonia emission originates from the slurry pit. In order to find a solution to abate this part of emission, a better understanding of the ammonia transportation from the pit to the room space is crucial. Large eddy simulation (LES) was adopted to investigate the transportation of airflow and ammonia under slatted floor. To tackle the involvement of the slatted floor, two approaches were proposed: modelling slatted floors directly with geometrical details (LESD) and treating them as porous media (LESP). The main purpose of this work was to study the potential of using porous media to model the slatted floor. The LES results were validated by the air velocities measured using a LDA (Laser Doppler Anemometer) in a 1:8 scale pit model placed in a wind tunnel. The results showed that LESP was able to estimate the mean air velocities and turbulence kinetic energy in the core of the pit headspace; but it cannot well predict the mean air velocities and turbulence kinetic energy in the space next to the upwind wall. Clear vertical air motion in the top surface of the slot was observed for LESD results. There was not such trend found for LESP results. Both the air velocity and NH₃ fraction fluctuated weaker for LESP results. By spectral analysis, LESP was able to capture the entire power spectrum compared with LESD. A dominant Strouhal number 0.23 was found for LESD results but no dominant Strouhal number was found for LESP results. The emission rate and total mass of NH₃ in the pit headspace calculated by LESD was double of those calculated by LESP. Pollutants were confined in the headspace for longer time by means of using LESP than using LESD. For both LESD and LESP, turbulence transportation was the dominant removal mechanism to transport pollutants from the headspace to the free stream.     

基于CFD的植物工厂管道通风模拟及优化

针对植物工厂中传统通风模式难以实现内部气流均匀分布的问题,在满足合适的管孔径比情况下,通过计算设计了管道通风方案,利用计算流体力学CFD(Computational fluid dynamics)仿真软件对不同方案的作物冠层气流场进行模拟,探究管孔直径、管孔数量及进风口风速对作物冠层气流分布的影响,确定最佳管道通风方案...     

山东省农业源氨排放清单研究

为建立山东省农业源氨排放清单,根据《山东统计年鉴2016》数据,采用排放因子法估算了山东省2015年农业源氨排放清单。结果表明,山东省2015年农业源氨排放量为105.831万t,排放强度为6.71 t·km^-2。畜禽养殖是最大的排放源,排放量为68.673万t,占总排放量的64.89%,猪和家禽是畜禽养殖排放量的最大贡献源,两者占畜禽养殖排放量的72.88%;其次是氮肥施用,排放量为30.835万t,占总排放量的29.14%;生物质燃烧、人体排放、土壤本底的氨排放量分别为2.173、2.117、1.943万t,分别占总排放量的2.05%、2.00%、1.84%;固氮植物的氨排放量最小,仅为0.09万t,不足总排放量的1%。菏泽、德州、潍坊、临沂、济宁、聊城是山东省农业源氨排放大市,氨排放量为7.910~13.662万t。研究表明,应从规范畜禽养殖规模和合理施肥两方面着手,精准施策,以减少山东省农业源氨排放量。     

Performance evaluation of a crop/weed discriminating microsprayer

An intelligent real-time microspraying weed control system was developed. The system distinguishes between weed and crop plants and a herbicide (glyphosate) is selectively applied to the detected weed plants. The vision system captures 40 RGB images per second, each covering 140 mm by 105 mm with an image resolution of 800 × 600 pixels. From the captured images the forward velocity is estimated and the spraycommands for the microsprayer are calculated. Crop and weed plants are identified in the image, and weed plants are sprayed. Performance of the microsprayer system was evaluated under laboratory conditions simulating field conditions. A combination of maize (Zea mays L.), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and scentless mayweed (Matricaria inodora L.) plants, in growth stage BBCH10, was placed in pots, which were then treated by the microspray system. Maize simulated crop plants, while the other species simulated weeds. The experiment were conducted at a velocity of 0.5 m/s. Two weeks after spraying, the fraction of injured plants was determined visually. None of the crop plants were harmed while 94% of the oilseed rape and 37% of the scentless mayweed plants were significantly limited in their growth. Given the size and shape of the scentless mayweed plants and the microsprayer geometry it was calculated that the microsprayer could only hit 64% of the scentless mayweed plants. The system was able to effectively control weeds larger than 11 mm × 11 mm.     

农田氨排放影响因素研究进展

从源头上控制对大气中PM2.5贡献率较高的氨排放,对降低大气污染物PM2.5含量、以及减少雾霾污染起着很重要作用。在农业源氨排放中,由农业活动(主要是施肥)导致的氨排放占整个农业源氨排放的40%。因此,总结农田氨排放的研究进展,分析影响农田氨排放的主要因素,描述农田氨排放的规律,对国家制定氨减排措施有指导意义。通过对农田氨排放影响因素的系统分析,发现影响农田系统氨排放的因素包括气象条件(温度、降水、风速和光照强度)、土壤因素(土壤类型、理化特性、含水量等)、施肥因素(肥料种类、施肥量、施肥方式及灌溉和施肥时期)、和农作物(种类,生长时期)。其中最主要的影响因素有:温度、风速、土壤pH、土壤粘粒含量、土壤有机质含量、土壤含水率、肥料类型、施肥量、施肥及灌溉的方式。其中温度、土壤pH、有机质含量以及施肥量与农田氨挥发量呈正相关关系;风速与含水率在一定范围内与氨挥发呈正比关系;土壤粘粒含量与氨挥发呈负相关。上述的研究都是基于合理施肥,增加氮肥利用率,减少氨排放导致的氮损失为目的的,而以减少环境污染物、保持空气质量为目的氨减排措施的研究较少。因此,开展农田氨排放污染系数的确定,建立农业氨排放清单模型的研究,可为环境相关部门有效控制和减少农业污染物的排放,促进农业生产健康良性发展和环境保护起支撑作用。     

A web-based model for simulating whole-farm beef cattle systems

This paper details the rationale and procedures included in a web-based simulator containing production of beef cattle and cash crops. All biophysical and economical definitions including management in terms of rules constitute user-defined scenarios, which can be saved, retrieved, modified and deleted. Herbage growth may be either provided by the user or estimated from daily climate information. Scenarios are simulated and their outcomes are sent to the user's e-mail as a spreadsheet file, including data and pre-designed graphs to facilitate the interpretation of results. An example simulation study of a grazing-based finishing beef steers with a cycle of 12 months is presented, where new weaners enter the system in the autumn. Increased stocking rates, SR (150, 170, 190 and 210 heads in a 100-ha farm) and different summer maize feeding (SMF) rates were compared (SMF₀ = control and SMF₁ = intermittent rule-driven maize feeding during summer). In this simulation study, “deviations” from user-defined targets are simplified into two associated rules (a) average farm herbage mass deviation to adjust herbage allowance, and (b) target animal live weight deviation, associated to SMF₁. The proportion of unfinished steers at 28th February increased linearly (p ≤ 0.01) with higher stocking rates and became zero at any stocking rate where the SMF rule was operating (SMF₁). The economic response of SR × SMF interaction was significant for gross margin, indicating a positive linear association (p ≤ 0.05) of SMF₁ treatment (rule activated) when SR increases. The potential use of the web simulator as a flexible tool for investigation, training and decision making are discussed.     

Quantitative analysis of minerals and electric conductivity of red grape homogenates by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The use of near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy to measure the concentration of minerals and electric conductivity (EC) in red grape homogenates was investigated. Wine grape samples (n = 209) from two vintages, representing a wide range of varieties and regions were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES) for the concentrations of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) and scanned in reflectance in a NIR instrument (400-2500 nm). The spectra were pre-processed using multiple scatter correction (MSC) before developing the calibration models using partial least squares (PLS) regression and cross validation. Coefficients of determination in cross validation (R²) and the standard errors of cross validation (SECV) obtained were for Fe (0.60 and 1.49 mg kg⁻¹), Mn (0.71 and 0.41 mg kg⁻¹), Ca (0.75 and 60.89 mg kg⁻¹), Mg (0.84 and 12.93 mg kg⁻¹), K (0.78 and 285.34 mg kg⁻¹), P (0.70 and 40.19 mg kg⁻¹), S (0.88 and 14.45 mg kg⁻¹) and EC (0.87 and 7.66 mS). The results showed that Mg, S and EC in grape berries might be measured by NIR reflectance spectroscopy.