Patz Success Story
Labor-Saving Feeding System
Patz belt conveyors and a low-profile Patz belt feeder supply a separate feed bunk for dry cows and heifers.
James Steiner and his wife, Mary Ann, believe in the family dairy farm.
There are two important reasons for the success of this family:
- Renting a farm.
- This has allowed them to concentrate their available capital on:
- expanding their milking herd from 20 cows in 1989 to 75 cows today, and
- investing in labor-saving equipment.
- Mechanizing and automating daily chores.
- A double-four milking parlor (Mary Ann does milking) plus free-stall housing for the milking herd, dry cows and heifers.
- "A feeding system that is my hired man," says James.
Two Patz silo unloaders throw silage down to Patz belt conveyors. The silages are mixed in a Patz mixer.
Dry shelled corn and roasted whole soybeans are added to the mix. "We get good results from the roasted soybeans," reports James.
A feed supplier's nutritionist computes the rations. At his suggestion, they add water to the rations. "Adding water has increased dry-matter intake," notes James.
He mixes one ration for a "high group" and a different ration for a "low group." He feeds twice a day, using two Patz belt feeders for push-button convenience regardless of the weather. He also provides round bales of hay free choice.
His Patz dealer, Harold's Equipment, Inc., helped him plan the layout for his feeding system and keeps everything working on schedule. Looking to the future as their children grow up, the Steiners mention...
"We can add more cows while maintaining a family farm operation."