Beef and dairy cattle – vertical or horizontal mixer?
The feeding rations for beef and dairy cattle are completely different purely because the beef feedlot is focussed on maximum weight gain per unit time and weight of feed, whilst the dairy farmer focusses on maximum milk production per kg of fodder with a very important focus on animal health and well-being. Beef cattle are short term (3-4 months) tenants in the feedlot, while dairy cattle are factories, being part the assets of the farm.
This means that the beef ration is much more focussed on high energy content with concentrate components forming the bulk of the ration, and roughage is added to manage acidosis. The components of this mix exist primarily of processed concentrates, which needs to be mixed to a homogeneous batch containing the required fibre.
The primary requirement is thus aggressive MIXING and the ability to break down the fibrous part to acceptable levels. The design of VERTICAL mixers is such that the large surface area of mixing on the vertical auger configuration offers the capacity for quick and aggressive MIXING. Adding blades, usually 5 – 9, to the auger, creates a capacity to SHEAR the roughage when pulling it through the resistance of the mix. Machines are sometimes fitted with a device that adds resistance to the rotational swirling of the mix, thus creating more chance for the blades to do the shearing. Sometimes the roughage is even pre-processed before adding it to the final ration, but mostly in cases where the selected mixer does not have the capacity to handle the roughage, or where the material flow requirement is so high that the processes need to run parallel.
The SEKO TIGER VERTICAL series is aimed at the beef feedlot, which requires the fibre component to be added and processed with the total mix, and offers all the required characteristics for an effective process. They are available from 7 to 45 cub m in capacity, tractor trailed, self-propelled or stationary options available
The dairy cow needs a much more balanced ration, with milk volume and quality as well as the health and well being of the animal the highest priorities.
The larger percentage of the ration comprises of fodder and fibrous products, whilst the addition of the concentrates is the top-up to the required end product.
The primary processing of this ration is thus the requirement of CUTTING and MIXING the fibrous material, without over processing and adding heat, which will cause aerobic reactions and degrading the quality and safety of the ration.
A well-designed HORIZONTAL mixer, having 2 bottom augers fitted with dozens of blades, moving past a central counter blade, has the capacity to do hundreds of low speed CUTTING (not shearing) actions per minute, thus gently processing the material to the desired length (5 – 8 cm). This length is approximately the width of the cow’s mouth, enabling easy entry into the mouth, but not requiring mauling before swallowing. This action stimulates the rumen, supporting effective feed assimilation and reducing the risk of acidosis. It is also an optimal length to prevent selective eating and thus utilizing all the fodder.
The last addition to the mix would be the concentrates, which then have to be mixed homogeneously. The mixing action should be from the outside to the centre, allowing fodder against fodder mixing in a mushrooming shape towards the outer walls. This action prevents additional heat build-up from material friction against the outer walls, causing less wear and consuming less energy. It also doubles the speed of mixing compared to designs that mixes material against the mixer walls.
The SEKO SAMURAI 7 HORIZONTAL series tick all the boxes and are available from 5 – 33 cubic metres, tractor trailed, self-propelled or stationary.
