German diet feeder manufacturer BvL has reported a considerable increase in interest in its larger machines in the UK. The company has retailed many more of its V-Mix Plus triple auger mixers, with three times as many already sold in 2022 compared to 2021.
The sales include a recent order for the largest triple auger machine in the BvL range, the 46 cubic metre V-Mix Plus, that’ll be one of the largest trailed diet feeders working on-farm in the UK.
“For consistent yield and milk quality you need a consistent ration mix. Cows don’t like change,” BvL specialist John Molton said. “It’s not uncommon to see a 17 or 20 cubic metre diet feeder being replaced by a 30-plus cubic metre triple-auger machine.
“Not only does it save a lot of time, but because they’re perhaps only doing three mixes instead of six, overall ration consistency is improved considerably. Also, by maybe only needing one mix instead of two for a group of cows, again group ration consistency is improved.”
Mr Molton added that the operating cost for a triple-auger machine will also be considerably less than for a similar sized twin auger.
“If, for instance, you compare a 32 cubic metre twin-auger machine with a similar sized triple-auger, because the hopper on the triple is lower and longer, it will be considerably easier to drive, so for the same size of machine you will use less fuel and it won’t be as hard on the tractor,” he said. “You could easily drive the triple auger with a 150hp tractor, but for the twin you would probably need something bigger due to the depth of material that needs to be moved.”
As on all BvL feeders, at the heart of the Triple-Auger 30-3S feeders are their powerful mixing augers, with Hardox leading edges and adjustable knives. The mixing chamber incorporates mixing wedges for a thorough and consistent mix, while the patented Exact Dosing System (EDS) ensures an even forage discharge.
Large diet feeders can be particularly hard on tractor drive trains, especially when starting and during the early stages of the mix. To reduce load on the tractor and make the V-Mix easier to drive, BvL offer a Powershift gearbox that incorporates a reduction gear with integral hydraulic clutch. This allows the V-Mix to be started in a low gear and for PTO speed to be increased under load up to full mixing speed, so reducing strain on the complete drive train.
All BvL’s diet feeders can be used with the firm’s Dairy Feeder Go app, which is the new entry-level version of the cloud-based BvL V-Connect Dairy Feeder system. This is an essential aid to feed consistency and will be free for customers ordering a new machine.
The cloud-based Dairy Feeder system makes it extremely easy to share and view ration mixes and herd information, and for the TMR mix to be uploaded to the V-Mix diet feeder control terminal so that the ration can be accurately replicated mix after mix.
When using the entry-level version of the Dairy Feeder app, the customer can enter their animal groups, feed components and rations after registering the app. During the feeding process, the feeding data – the target quantity of the single recipe components – can be displayed as needed. In case of changes in the quantities of single feed components, the number of animals in groups, or the entire ration, this can be entered in the app. The user also has the option of entering the loaded feed quantities.
When feeding is complete, the feeding accuracy of the load – a variance comparison – can also be displayed in the form of a report. It’s also possible to view and print the loading schedule to obtain an overview of the rations. Since the Dairy Feeder Go is a standalone solution, there are no special requirements for the weighing device on the mixer wagon. This makes it easy to get started with digital feed management.
Using the app it’s also possible to adjust the load quantity relative to the number of animals that need to be fed. So, for instance, as cows are dried off or come back into the milking herd after calving, the ration quantity can be quickly and easily adjusted.
