Since introducing a Kuhn feeding and bedding machine, farm manager Paul Redmore finds he can complete these jobs more accurately for his organic Jersey herd. Dairy Farmer reports.
Based on an 850-hectare in-hand farm at Neston Park Estate, Wiltshire, Paul Redmore has kept with tradition by using homegrown straw bedding and silage for the 280-cow herd.
He says: We are feeding and bedding down morning and afternoon, whilst the cows are milked. The process needs to be flawless; we want to make the best environment for the cows to reduce any risk of mastitis and provide them with a calm atmosphere.
Previously, he used a mixer wagon and a separate straw chopper, which required two tractors twice a day, or swapping each machine on and off the same tractor. The 18 cu.m Kuhn Profile Plus 2 DS uses two vertical augers with a straw-blowing turbine and spout to feed out. This gives the flexibility to feed and bed into the farms buildings.
We use up to 12 six-string bales per day," Mr Redmore says. "Generally, it takes two hours to milk, scrape, feed and bed down 280 cows. One person milks, whilst the other scrapes, feeds and beds. Having a combination machine to feed and bed is saving us between 30-45 minutes, and the new machine is more accurate and faster at preparing the ration.
The Kuhn fulfils the twice-a-day bedding routine and is also helping to manage feed accuracy. The unit allows feeding at ground level and directly into 1.2m-high troughs using the straw blower. Consistency in routine is key for the team members involved, but more importantly for cow welfare and milk production.
The machine's polygonal shape delivers consistent fodder circulation. It is designed so that the entire volume of the chamber is used during chopping and mixing, with the double-pitch angle of each auger providing a constant breakdown of feed.
Mr Redmore says: The accuracy and consistency of the mix stops cows sorting the feed. This is better for the cows because they love consistency, and it also translates into higher yields.
The business analyses silage every two months. Working with a nutritionist to calculate the optimum TMR, they are able to use the mixer to accurately weigh each component.
Testing silage and monitoring the TMR is helping to maintain cow health and productivity," Mr Redmore says. "The machine can deal with any grade of material and the chopping knives provide a consistent mix. This is also saving feed which is lowering our costs.
The internal weighing function of the unit also enables Mr Redmore to make the most efficient use of straw for bedding.
He says: The weigh scale means I can monitor and control straw use for the various sheds whilst checking how much is in the tub to minimise journeys. We can even split bales to bed the smaller sheds; we can fit two and a half six-string bales in the tub, and having this capacity has reduced the time and fuel needed to bed the sheds each day.
The chopper adds further precision, as well as making the loading and preparing of the straw easier and more accurate. The two augers are driven on the same driveline, mixing the product in a figure-of-eight pattern which increases product flow in the chamber.
Mr Redmore says: The straw chopper reduces the amount of straw we use by about 30 per cent, as it avoids waste due to lumps going through into the sheds and creating an uneven layer of straw. The blower is also very accurate, enabling us to bed wide areas and cubicles.
The mixer also features the manufacturer's optional 'Cleanstraw' function, which reduces dust in livestock buildings by applying a fine mist of water to straw as it is distributed. This is done using a 64-litre water tank and three misting nozzles mounted at the exit of the straw-blowing chute. The nozzles are fed by a pump which provides one litre of water to be applied per 100kg of straw.
Applying a mist of water reduces excessive levels of airborne dust by decreasing the amount of time the particles remain suspended in the air. Trials conducted by Kuhn have shown that the air in a typical livestock building should be dust-free within 30 seconds after straw-blowing with the 'Cleanstraw' system, which is compared to several minutes without.
Mr Redmore says: Adding a fine mist of water as straw exits the spreading chute means very little water is required. The low water usage also means the straw still has high absorbency which makes it more hygienic.
Upfront costs of the machine were 30 per cent less to than purchasing two separate machines, and it requires less operator time and fuel to carry out the daily feeding and bedding work. To reduce power consumption, the unit utilises asymmetric knives which are designed to be self-cleaning with a cutting edge profile, which claims greater torque transfer from the drive to the material.
As it is a single machine delivering two services, the increase in mechanical complexity is outweighed, in part, through reduced overall maintenance.
Mr Redmore says: The unit reduces maintenance because we only have one machine to maintain, and it only requires basic greasing once a week. We were surprised with the low power output. It runs at a pto speed of 540rpm which is saving fuel.
8209. Paul Redmore
8182. The Kuhn mixer is used to mix and distribute the ration, alongside straw chopping and spreading
8224. The 18 cu.m tub uses two mixing augers, holding two and a half six-string bales
8226 The integrated Cleanstraw system applies a water mist to the straw as it is blown, reducing dust.
