Offered by Michael’s Group, BvL mixer wagons have been playing a key role in a 700-cow dairy farm operation in Victoria
As all farmers will appreciate, Australia is known for experiencing some of the most varied weather conditions of any nation across the globe.
This places heavy pressure on livestock farmers when it comes to feeding stock. Whether they are dairy farming, dry stock or feed-lotting, extreme seasonal changes can cause farmers to find themselves low on natural environment animal foodstuffs, such as grass, despite careful planning.
With correct feed selection being such an important factor when feeding livestock, these shortages can become a problem for farmers, as they will have to resort to alternative feeds.
Handy tools that can be used to alleviate this problem are the Bernard van Lengerich (BvL) mixer wagons, offered by Michael’s Group.
These mixer wagons can blend a variety of feed types together, producing a nutritious feed for livestock.
By bringing a BvL mixer wagon into a feeding operation, farmers can bring in specific feed items, store them on their property and then mix them together with other feed sources.
This reduces the chance of running low on natural environment feeds, because it can be stored and used for later.
One happy beneficiary of the BvL mixer wagon is North Victorian dairy farmer Merv Koch and his wife Bonita, who have praised the machine for the way it has helped them deal with seasonal change.
Seasonal solution
After originally dairy farming in New Zealand, Merv and Bonita moved to Australia in 2001 and started farming in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley.
Their 700-cow dairy farm is located between Echuca and Shepparton, with their mixer wagon playing an integral role in their operation.
Having plenty of experience dealing with season varieties, they have been using mixer wagons for years, but one brand stood out above the rest – BvL.
“You cannot set farm patterns based on past seasons here,” Merv says.
“We need to be able to make the changes as they approach, and not get caught unawares.
“Our BvL mixer wagon is the tool to deal with the seasonal variations in the most economical way.”
Another advantage of using mixer wagons is that farmers can ensure they are providing their livestock with the correct balance of energy, protein, fibre and minerals – by mixing different feeds together.
It also allows minerals and supplements that may not be normally palatable for the animals to be incorporated into feed. This is because the minerals and supplements are blended within the rest of the feed, and therefore hidden, so the stock feed on it without realising.
One of the key selling points for Merv and Bonita is the wide range of feed possibilities that can be incorporated.
From using high-cost products or low-cost products to incorporating different commodities, the BvL machine provides greater feed optionality.
“The mixer wagon enables us to feed different combinations, whether it be citrus waste, cereal hay, maize or almond hulls as well as minerals and concentrates,” Merv says.
“This gives plenty of options to purchase feed in at the most cost-effective price without losing too much production.”
Build quality is a particular standout for Merv, who believes that BvL builds its feed mixer wagons stronger than its competitors.
Key features that emphasise the build quality include a 20mm floor plate and 8mm sidewalls, as well as a Double Anti Spill Ring – preventing feed from spilling out of the top of the machine.
Not only does it do as the name suggests, but the Double Anti Spill Ring also increases the strength of the machine.
In the unfortunate event of a loading tractor or telehandler hitting the mixer wagon, this feature allows the BvL to withstand the hit.
Merv and Bonita both say they don’t regularly buy machinery, but when they do, they like to make sure it has all the best features. This was no different with the BvL mixer wagon.
“We added the electric powershift gearbox, stainless steel bin and auger liners,” Merv says.
“The powershift gearbox is great, we can load up a full mix the night before, leave it for the night and it starts up very easily.”
After using other-branded mixer wagons over the years, Merv and Bonita have been delighted with the switch over to BvL machinery.
When they were originally looking into the BvL brand, they had a helping hand to provide support in their purchasing decision.
Merv and Bonita had friends in New Zealand and Europe who were already using BvL mixer wagons and reassured them that it would be a wise decision to procure one.
“Our first mixer wagon had very high maintenance costs, always blowing bearings and reskins were getting costly,” Merv says.
“Loan interest is often cheaper than repairs, so we started to look at what machines could replace our old mixer wagon and landed on BvL.”
BvL V-Mix Plus mixer wagons are available at Michael’s Group. Models offered include the 17N-2S (17 cubic metres capacity), 20H-2S (20 cubic metres capacity), 24H-2S (24 cubic metres capacity) and 34-3S (34 cubic metres capacity).
For more information, contact your local Michael’s Group branch – Michael’s Moama, Michael’s Of Donald, JCB Gippsland or JCB Ballarat.