Patz Conveyor Success Story
Twin Birch Dairy, LLC, Keeps Things Moving With Patz Conveyors
In 1960 Ken and Georgienna Young moved to their new farm in Skaneateles, NY, with their children. The original farm consisted of 290 acres, a 74-stanchion milking barn, a 17-room main house and a tenant house. In 1983, Twin Birch Farms was incorporated, with Ken, Sr., and his sons Dirk and Ken II as the principal officers.
Today, 47 years after the Youngs purchased their farm, Twin Birch Dairy, LLC, has grown to 2,500 acres. They currently maintain 2,050 head of cattle, which includes 1,175 milking dairy cows. Brothers Dirk and Ken II now share the responsibility of running the dairy operation with help from Ken, Sr., when needed. Dirk's wife, Karen, works on the farm as bookkeeper and payroll manager for their 25 full-time employees.
A lot has changed over the last 47 years, but Twin Birch Dairy, LLC, has always made efforts to be good stewards of the environment. The farm keeps abreast of all farm related issues such as watershed use, strip cropping techniques to inhibit erosion and nutrient management plans. In 2002, the farm was awarded the Conservation Farm of the Year Award by the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Manure management is another big issue for dairy farms, especially those with very large herds of cattle. Twin Birch Dairy, LLC, has invested in an anaerobic digester to handle their manure and turn it into useful energy and cow bedding.
Cow manure is emptied into a holding area beneath the floor of their freestall barn and is pumped every 15 minutes into the digester. The methane gas is then extracted from the manure and converted to electricity and heat killing pathogens, making nutrients more available to the plants. After digestion, the manure is separated into solids and liquids. The liquid is pumped into a storage tank for later use as a nutritional supplement for spreading on crops. The solids are carried from the separators out to loading bays by two Patz Model 8916 Conveyors.
The Youngs traded in their first conveyor for two new Patz conveyors with textured belts.
Dried material is first loaded onto a 40-foot long Patz Model 8916 conveyor to carry the solids up a steep incline. That conveyor can empty into a truck below or onto a second Patz Model 8916 Conveyor. The 100 foot long Patz conveyor travels over the top of the loading bays. A pulley system was installed to move the plow on the conveyor to dump the solids into various loading bays.
"The Patz conveyors move 66 yards of dried material through the barn every day, all year long," stated Dirk. That averages out to 24,000 yards annually.
This saves Twin Birch Dairy, LLC, a considerable amount of time and labor. They also enjoy the simplicity and convenience of the conveyor system and appreciate the rugged dependability.
"The optional direct drive package with gear reduction works great," said Dirk, adding, "We also like that they are low maintenance. We're very happy with the Patz conveyors."
This operation helps pay for itself. Twin Birch Dairy, LLC, uses more electricity in the summer (when the tunnel fans are in operation) than they do in the winter months. The digester generates enough electricity to cover the farm's year-round usage. In addition, Twin Birch Dairy, LLC, sells the dry product to landscapers and uses some of it for cow bedding.
The Youngs purchased the conveyors from their local Patz dealer, Ted Marshall of Marshall Electric in Venice Center, NY. Twin Birch Dairy was able to do their own installation, but they know they can rely on Ted to provide parts and great service if ever needed.
Move materials where you want at the speed you need! Contact your local Patz dealer for details on versatile Patz conveyors.