Control of spores in hay or straw

摘要

A method for control of spores related to hay or straw based feed material for an animal such as a horse or pony comprises the steps of: placing the straw or hay based material in an enclosure; treating the straw or hay based material while in the enclosure to steam or hot water to cause the straw or hay subjected to intimate contact with steam or hot water for a predetermined period; and enabling the treated material to be accessed by a horse or pony. An apparatus for the control of control of spores related to straw or hay based material comprises: an enclosure 11 adapted to receive and support straw or hay based material; a supply pipe 16 located in the enclosure; the supply pipe being equipped with apertures A1 to A4 along its length; and steam generating means coupled to the supply pipe to enable a supply of steam or hot water to be injected through the apertures and so into straw or hay based material located in the enclosure.