As with many growing businesses, our young stock have been a problem due to the fact there are changing numbers, leased facilities and mobs requiring different growth rates to achieve targets.
We were looking for a system to streamline our feeding expensive bagged concentrate or 48 hour TMR mixes which led to feed spoilage. We trialled our first feeder with 50, 6 month dairy heifer calves at grass in the back end ofthe season. We were impressed by how quickly they adapted and how even the bunch remained right through to housing.
Last winter, we fed over 150 spring born cattle using 3 feeders indoors. Due to the limited loafing area compared to pasture, we had to tune the feeders initially but once they were set, they performed consistently through the housing period. The main benefits of using them indoors included:
A £30/tonne saving on bulk feed over bagged,and,
The ability to use labour more efficiently,especially around holidays and weekends.
Monitoring growth rates is an important part of our system to make sure heifers achieve their target weights at breeding. Weighing early in the new year told us that a particular bunch were going to struggle to hit their 20thApril target on their current 0.75kg/day growth weight curve. The 3IN1FEEDERwas adjusted upwards by 1kg/head/day and they comfortably grew at over 1kg/day over the next 4 months. This was achieved without a change of routine, a change of diet or re-training staff.
I am delighted to put my name against 3IN1FEEDERS.
Visit the 3IN1FEEDERS website for more information on Will Prichard Escalwen Letterston, Haverfordwest, Wales