Patz Equipment Success Story
The Wichmans count on Patz to make chore time easier!
Dave Wichman grew up on a Wisconsin farm that had been in his family since the Civil War when his mother's great great great grandfather purchased it. The Wichman family raised some beef cattle while Dave was growing up, but no dairy cows. He gained an appreciation and love for farming from his grandfather, which led to a future in farming.
On September 18, 1982, Dave began his farming career at the age of 17 while just beginning his senior year in high school. He bought 26 dairy cows and rented a barn to house them.
"The first barn had NO automation - everything was "Armstrong" in there," jokes Dave.
Four years later, Dave moved his operation to another rented farm. This farm had more room, plus several pieces of Patz equipment, including a Model 400 Gutter Cleaner, two Model 98 Silo Unloaders , a Model 162-A Conveyor and a Model 155 Cattle Feeder. Dave also made his very first Patz equipment purchase - a Model RD-820 Silo Unloader. All of this newfound automation greatly reduced the amount of time spent doing chores! During his two years at that farm, Dave was able to double his herd size to over 50 cows. Dave and his wife Tina rented one more farm after that where they lived for four years.
By 1992, Dave and Tina were ready to purchase their own place. They bought a farm in Seymour, WI, that had a Patz Model 400 Gutter Cleaner, but just about everything else needed an overhaul according to Dave.
"We started remodeling and updating things around the farm as well as added another silo and eventually a TMR system," he says. With some extra elbow grease, the couple updated the farm where they still reside today with their children Mindy (19), Dana (17), and Melanie (15).
Their first (brand x) mixer didn't last very long because of ongoing maintenance problems. This led them to buy their first Patz mixer, a Model 9100 horizontal mixer, from Gary and LuAnne Knuth of Knuth Farm Equipment LLC, their local Patz Dealer in Hortonville, WI. In fall of 2007, the Wichman's went vertical, purchasing the first Patz Model 400 Stationary Vertical Mixer from the Knuths.
The Wichmans have been very happy with their 200 cubic foot Patz Vertical Mixer because of its ability to handle all feedstuffs and produce a true Total Mixed Ration. The 170 cattle, including 65 dairy cows, 45 steers and the balance in heifers and youngstock, at the Wichman farm are happy, too, because the consistent, well-blended ration provides the nutrition they need to stay healthy.
"DAs are almost non-existent," states Dave. "Our herd health is better with the Patz mixer."
Dave and Tina say they are very satisfied, not only with their Patz Vertical Mixer, but all of their Patz equipment. Chore time at the Wichman farm is much easier with their new Model 8912 Feeder, two Model 262 Conveyors, a Model 8916 Conveyor and a Model 400 Gutter Cleaner.
Throughout the years, Dave learned that he could always count on Patz equipment to save time and labor and keep his operation running smoothly. Experience has also taught him that he can count on his Patz Dealer, Knuth Farm Equipment LLC, for great service.
"We are very satisfied with Knuth Farm Equipment, especially their service," says Dave, adding that, "even on a weekend, they are there to help!"