Manure Handling Systems Success Story
(Left to right) Guy, Marcellus, & Marcus Vogel of Vogel Family Farms LLC, Reedsville, WI.
We’re Keeping Our Heifers Clean
With the Push of a Button!
Brothers Guy and Marcus Vogel are second generation owners of Vogel Family Farms LLC in Reedsville, WI. With a total herd size of over 800 head, the Vogels currently milk 400 dairy cows and raise their own youngstock. This successful operation has grown exponentially since the brothers’ parents, Marcellus and JoAnn, purchased the dairy with 29 head in 1958. It was here that they raised their four children - Guy, Marcus, June, and Julie.
Eleven years after they acquired the dairy, Marcellus and JoAnn purchased a neighboring farm, paving the way for more expansions to come. In 1992, Guy and Marcus took the operation over, buying 125 head and machinery from their parents.
By 1996, the brothers’ herd had grown to 185 cows, prompting them to build a new parlor and freestall barn. Ten years later, they had to put an addition onto the freestall to accommodate their ever expanding herd.
The Vogels’ new heifer raising facility.
With so many youngstock, Guy and Marcus recently determined that they needed better heifer raising facilities. So, they designed and built a five-row freestall barn, dedicated to housing their heifers from 12-24 months of age. The Vogels recognize that these heifers are the future of their operation and must be kept in top condition. To promote optimal herd health, they know how important it is to maintain a sanitary and comfortable facility using a manure-handling system that does not cause undue stress on the heifers. Based on years of experience, Guy and Marcus knew that they could count on Patz to handle the job.
Vogel Family Farms LLC has chosen Patz equipment to meet their feed and manure handling needs for more than two decades. Their current equipment included a Patz 615 cu. ft. Vertical Mixer, three Model 400 Gutter Cleaners, a Model 6000 PTO Drive Vertical Pit Pump, and a Model 8916 Belt Feeder which has been working every day for over 20 years!
To find the Patz equipment that would best fit their new facility, Guy and Marcus consulted their local Patz Dealer, Schmidt Buildings & Equipment, Inc. of Kaukauna, WI. With their help, the brothers purchased a Model 2016 Tundra™ Pro Hydraulic Pump and their fourth Model 400 Gutter Cleaner to be put to work in the heifer barn.
The Vogels rely on their Gutter Cleaner and Tundra™ Pro Pump to move their heifer manure from gutter to storage pit.
In this new installation, manure is scraped into the Model 400 Gutter Cleaner that runs across one end of the barn. The manure is then dropped into the hopper of the Tundra™ Pro Pump. From there, the Tundra™ Pro pumps the manure through 500 feet of 12-inch pipe into an earthen storage pit.
The Vogels have found that keeping their heifers clean and comfortable couldn’t be easier:
“We really like the automation in this facility. Our dad, who is in his 80s, can easily operate the Patz equipment which removes all the manure from this barn with the push of a button,” Guy said.
In addition to saving time and labor, Guy and Marcus know that a sanitary living environment will help them raise healthy heifers that will ultimately become high-producing cows. Vogel Family Farms LLC’s herd currently averages 25,700M, 3.6%F, and 2.8%P.
Guy and Marcus also have good things to say about their Patz Dealer, Schmidt Buildings & Equipment, Inc. According to Guy, “Schmidt is a very knowledgeable group and installed the equipment in a timely manner. They always come prepared, having the right stuff with them the first time. They provide very good workmanship.”
The Vogel brothers appreciate that their Patz Dealer is located locally in the event that they require parts or service. However, they are confident that their new installation will provide the same trouble-free operation that they have come to expect from Patz. As Guy said, “It’s like all of our Patz equipment – built rugged with a simple design, so we expect a long working life.”
Seeing is Believing!