Taking centre stage at Lamma, BvL’s 33m3 V-Mix Plus 3S reflects an increased interest in that size of diet feeder. At the other end of the scale, the company will also showcase its 12m3 single-auger machine.
Over the past year, the company has seen a boost in sales of the larger V-Mix Plus triple auger mixers. This includes a recent order for the largest machine in the range – the 46m3 V-Mix Plus – which will be one of the largest machines of its kind working in the UK.
“For consistent yield and milk quality you need a consistent ration mix. Cows don’t like change,” explained BvL specialist John Molton. “It is not uncommon to see a 17 or 20m3 diet feeder being replaced by a 30+m3 triple auger machine.
“Not only does it save a lot of time, but because they are 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.”
He adds 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 32m3 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 will not be as hard on the tractor.
“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.”
At the heart of the feeder are the powerful mixing augers, with Hardox leading edges and adjustable knives. The mixing chamber has integrated mixing wedges for a consistent mix, while the company’s Exact Dosing System offers an even discharge.
To reduce the load on the tractor, BvL offers a powershift gearbox with a reduction gear and integral hydraulic clutch. This means the machine can be started in a low gear, with PTO speed increased under load to reach the full mixing speed.
New V-Connect Dairy Feeder Go app
BvL will also provide information on the Dairy Feeder Go app, an entry-level version of the cloud-based V-Connect Dairy Feeder system. This new app will be free for customers ordering a new machine.
The cloud-based system makes it easy to share and view ration mixes and herd information, with total mixed ration mixes being uploaded to the V-Mix diet feeder control terminal.
When using the entry-level version, the customer can enter animal groups, feed components and rations. During feeding, the target quantity of the single recipe components can be displayed as needed. Changes across the system can be entered in the app, and the user has the option to enter the loaded feed quantities.
After feeding, the accuracy of the load can be displayed in the form of a report. The loading schedule can be viewed and printed to have an overview of the rations.
Dairy Feeder Go is a standalone solution and does not require weighting devices on the mixing wagon, it is designed to be an entry-level solution for farmers getting started with digital feed management.
The app can also be used to adjust the load quantity relative to the number of animals being fed. As cows are dried off or come back to the milking herd after calving, the ration can be easily adjusted.