Particle Separator

The Forage and TMR Particle Separator was designed to help in determining the correct forage particle length needed to improve ruminant nutrition.

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Manual and Spreadsheet Tool

• Manual: Evaluating particle size of forages and TMRs using the New Penn State Forage Particle Separator

• Spreadsheet Disclaimer: For all versions of this spreadsheet, if the ration contains more than 8% long particles (the top screen), then the actual average length of these particles should be measured by hand rather than using this spreadsheet's default value of 30 mm.
• Particle Size Spreadsheet Automates the calculation of average particle size and graphs particle distribution
• Particle Size Spreadsheet (Metric) Same as the spreadsheet above, but with metric units
• Particle Size Spreadsheet (Series) Compare multiple measurements on one graph
• Spanish Version: Manual (Evaluando el tamaño de partícula de forrajes y RTMs usando el Nuevo Separador de Partículas de Forraje de Penn State)
• Spanish Version: Spreadsheet (Análisis de Tamaño de Partícula)
• Italian Version: Spreadsheet (Analisi Dimensione Particelle)
• Parmigiano-Reggiano Version: Spreadsheet (Analisi Dimensione Particelle Parmigiano-Reggiano)

Blank Data Sheets and Plotting Paper

• Blank Data Sheet for Forage and TMR Particle Size Analysis
• Blank Lognormal Total Mixed Ration (TMR) Calculation Paper
• Blank Lognormal Corn Silage Calculation Paper
• Blank Lognormal Haylage Calculation Paper

Particle Separator Movie

• A brief demonstration of the proper shaking method

Where can I buy a particle separator?

The Penn State Particle Separator is available through NASCO. Follow the link above, then click on Educational Materials - Agricultural Sciences - Testing Equipment - Forage Testing Equipment. Mention of NASCO here does not imply endorsement.

What if I have the previous version?

If you have the older version of the particle separator (2 sieves), you may want to plot your results on paper designed for that version. Click on the links below to download a copy of this graph paper or the older publication describing the particle separator. However, we strongly recommend that you consider purchasing a new 3-sieve model, especially if you want to evaluate TMR particle size.

• Graph paper for 2-sieve particle separator
• DAS 96-20 publication describing 2-sieve particle separator

Research Articles

• Front Matter: Including abstract and table of contents
• Literature Review: Summary of relevant research
• Chapter 3: Modification of the Penn State forage and TMR particle separator and the effects of moisture content on its measurements
• Chapter 4: The effects of reducing alfalfa haylage particle size on cows in early lactation
• Chapter 5: The effect of corn silage particle size and cottonseed hulls on cows in early lactation
• General Conclusions and Appendices