Efficient feeding of a high output Pedigree Holstein herd has proven itself time and again in the quest to up the milk yield but reduce costs at Shanael Farms Ltd. The enterprise is a ‘little under’ 1000 acre dairy farm just outside Evesham, Worcestershire, cropping around 270 acres of maize, 280 acres winter wheat and 200 acres of grass.
With a total herd count of 680 head, of which 400 are milkers, Shanael operates a three times a day milking regime through a 28/28 Westfalia parlour and is averaging 12000 litres.
Established some 18 years ago by Michael and Shan Miller, the enterprise has been joined by their sons, Paul and Steve and so the operation is a truly family affair. In order to maintain high yields, diet feeding is very much at the hub of the operation and the Millers use a 24 cu.m Strautmann twin tub on a double-axled, steerable chassis.
“Reliability throughout the feeding process is absolutely paramount to the maintenance of high yields,” said Steve Miller. “We can’t just say, oh the feeder’s broken down and not be able to feed the herd, that would be disastrous. So we had to buy the right machine, a reliable machine and from a reputable dealer who could provide the right back- up. Some good friends of ours have a large herd in Gloucestershire and they had been using a Strautmann for eight years and they only had a belt go, so that was proof to us that this was a very reliable unit. We bought our Strautmann, based on the experience of another dairy producer and that’s proving to be the best decision we made.”
The Strautmann 240 was supplied by their local dealer Tallis Amos Group (TAG) out of Evesham who are renowned for their first-class after-sales service and a reputation of getting it done, no matter what. The 240 was the largest machine that would fit the buildings - as it had a steerable axle, but was also of a large enough capacity to get round all the stock quickly. With it’s reversible conveyor It can feed on the floor, over the feed barriers, either side and it was better suited to their system than any other machine on the market. It also handles caustic and all kinds of materials without a problem. Although the Millers feed only once a day, they are contemplating on feeding the high yielders twice a day to encourage an increase in dry matter uptake.
“Currently total intakes for the high yielders is around fifty five kilograms (55.2kg), equivalent to just over twenty six kilos (26.1kg) of dry matter intake.” said Steve, “We add pre-chopped straw because it mixes better that way and overall the entire mixing process is very simple without the mix becoming too dense, even when the tub is completely full. We like the fact that the Strautmann is very well built with heavy duty materials throughout and that gives us a lot of confidence when it comes to relying on such a critical part of the production process.”
For yard and road use, the Millers drive the 240 with their John Deere 6620 and although the Strautmann has a steerable axle it is locked for fast road use between stock buildings. Added Steve, “The John Deere simply purrs with the Strautmann and on the road it rides so easily that it’s never a problem, even when fully loaded. It comes with hydraulic brakes, lighting and an ISOBUS control system that makes it easy to deliver exactly the right ration according to the stock grouping. We can also get access through a rear door to add extra minerals or concentrates and it’s proven to be a very usable piece of equipment that hasn’t let us down yet. Our local dealer TAG has all the parts and support we need if anything does go wrong and it’s more than comforting to have this kind of back-up when everything is relying on such a key piece of machinery” he concluded.
