VERTICAL MIXERS

[jd35154]

HAVE ANY OF YOU TRIED OR OWN A TMR THAT WILL PROCESS BIG ROUND BALES OF HAY? I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL FARMERS IN MY AREA THAT LOVE THESE MACHINES AND ARE SAVING ABOUT 50% OF THEIR HAY FROM WASTE SAVINGS. THEY CAN ALSO ADD A LITTLE SUPPLEMENT TO THE MIX IN COLD WEATHER OR POOR HAY. THE DOWNSIDE THAT I CAN SEE OTHER THAT THE $20-30K IS HAVING TO FEED EACH DAY IN SOME KIND OF BUNK. I ASSUME THAT FEEDING HAY DIRECTLY ON THE GROUND EVEN IF IT IS PROCESSED WILL RESULT IN TREMENDOUS HAY LOSS. JUST WANTED SOME IDEAS BEFORE I INVESTED THIS KIND OF MONEY. WITH THE HAY SHORTAGE THIS YEAR, THIS SEAMS LIKE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE.

THANKS

 

[TexLonghornRanch]

I have looked at these shedder/mixer. I think you would have to be feeding 250 plus head to justify the expense.

The only people I have seen use them are Dairies and feed lots.

 

[Howdyjabo]

We calculated that we needed to have at least two hundred head on full feed to be worth the investment.
My guess would be that the cow numbers needed would be even higher as much as double.

Another consideration is that you need a SOLID road to(and next to) the bunks to be able to feed during wet weather. The mixer is heavy and will tear up the ground and sink.

 

[IL Rancher]

We don't have a vertical one.. Might get one next time but that is a while away. Don't worry to much about the roads, we get good slop driving through the fields to the bunks but don't get stuck.. That is with 6 tons of feed in our mixer. Neighbor does the same but with a 10 ton mixer wagon.. Leaves some hellish ruts and a gravel road along a set of fence line feed bunks would sure be nice but...

 

[footballjdtractor]

have you considered feeding out your own calves? this might help justify the cost of the mixer. I have saw some used models that are more reasonably priced.

 

[msscamp]

HAVE ANY OF YOU TRIED OR OWN A TMR THAT WILL PROCESS BIG ROUND BALES OF HAY? I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL FARMERS IN MY AREA THAT LOVE THESE MACHINES AND ARE SAVING ABOUT 50% OF THEIR HAY FROM WASTE SAVINGS. THEY CAN ALSO ADD A LITTLE SUPPLEMENT TO THE MIX IN COLD WEATHER OR POOR HAY. THE DOWNSIDE THAT I CAN SEE OTHER THAT THE $20-30K IS HAVING TO FEED EACH DAY IN SOME KIND OF BUNK. I ASSUME THAT FEEDING HAY DIRECTLY ON THE GROUND EVEN IF IT IS PROCESSED WILL RESULT IN TREMENDOUS HAY LOSS. JUST WANTED SOME IDEAS BEFORE I INVESTED THIS KIND OF MONEY. WITH THE HAY SHORTAGE THIS YEAR, THIS SEAMS LIKE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE.

THANKS

I'm thinking you're talking about a feed wagon with a mixer box, but I'm not 100% sure?

 

[IL Rancher]

Could be wrong but I think this is what they are talking about especially with the price they are talking.. If they are talkign about a Bale processor than those are a bit cheaper and Iknow lots of folks who will process their bales into windrows and feed on the ground as long as the ground is dry it is not problem.

The one thing that bugs me about having a mixer wagon is that it sites in the barn for 6-7 months a year when we aren't using it at all.. It is a waste an have thought about feeding out some calves every year just to get use out of it more consistantly..

 

[TexasBred]

IL, very true. Hate to have 30,40 thousand tied up in something I only use part of the year. These machines are are great for feedlot operations and dairy operations but hardly worth the investment for cow/calf operations. They do eliminate nearly all waste from large round bales and give an excellent mix when you add your grain and protein supplements to the hay but are designed to be used very intensively. Plus it takes a pretty darn good size tractor to operate one. If I needed one I'd sure buy the vertical mixeer wagon rather than the old horizontal wagons.

 

[HAY MAKER]

http://www.equipmentlocator.com/asp...y/ag/type/202/make/new+holland/model/viewall/

good luck

 

[Stocker Steve]

HAVE ANY OF YOU TRIED OR OWN A TMR THAT WILL PROCESS BIG ROUND BALES OF HAY?
THANKS

Dairy guys love them since it reduces feed cost and increases milk production. U of WI did an economic study a couple years ago. My recollection is they estimated a 125 cow DAIRY herd would justify a new one. Our agent encourages smaller operations to look for a $6 to 9 K used one.

I really struggle with buying - - and then storing equipment like this for most of the year. It seems like it is often a break even event for me but the equipment dealer makes more money... I have also tried to renting or partnering on high dollar equipment with neighbors but that only works with some personality types.

Grazing corn stocks seems like a better beef cow idea.