Patz Model 1000 Vertical Mixer Success Story
Patz Mixer Golden for Golden Ridge Dairy
Chad Denowski of Golden Ridge Dairy in Beaver, WI, says the biggest advantage of their Patz Model 1000 Vertical Mixer is the consistent mix with no dead spots.
Over 420 cows are milked on the Denowski family farm, the Golden Ridge Dairy. The dairy, located in Beaver, WI, is owned and operated by Sheila and David Denowski, along with their two adult children, Chad and Tracy. Each of the family members has a different role in the operation of the farm. Among other duties, Chad is in charge of feeding the herd.
The Golden Ridge Dairy has grown exponentially over the past five years. In 2001, they were milking a little under 100 cows, meaning that they have more than quadrupled their herd in half a decade. It is understandable that the method of feeding needed to change rapidly.
Patz was no stranger to the Denowski family. The farm had already been utilizing several pieces of Patz equipment that they had purchased over the years: a barn cleaner in the 1950s, a manure piston pump in the 1970s, a material mover and silo unloader in the 1980s, and belt feeders in the 1990s. They had great success and were impressed by the performance of the equipment, so they did not hesitate to look to Patz for a vertical mixer. After contacting their local Patz dealer, they opted for the 615 cu. ft. Model 1000Vertical Mixer upon recommendation.
The Denowski family needed a mixer that would be able to handle all of the loads that Chad would need to make everyday. With over 400 cows, he typically feeds 6 1/2 loads a day.
"I like its aggressiveness towards cutting up big bales of hay. I am able to grind up a 1,000-1,500 pound bale in under five minutes," said Chad.
In addition to being able to handle large quantities of hay, the mixer is known for its ability to create consistently well-mixed rations.
According to Chad, "The biggest advantage is its consistent mixing. There are no dead spots in this mixer."
The Patz Model 1000's simple design has few moving parts, making it much easier to service. That has been very important to Chad because any problems can be fixed very efficiently.
"We have only had minor maintenance issues with the mixer," stated Chad. "The mixer is designed so simply that we can usually take care of them ourselves. If there ever is an issue that we can't handle, we make a phone call and a Patz technician comes out the same day. You can't beat the service."
To learn more about Patz Vertical Mixers, contact your local Patz dealer.