Model 1100 Single Screw TMR Feed Mixer Success Story
Kingston Creek Dairy Increases Production With Model 1100 TMR Vertical Mixer
Albert Holker (left) and Duane Holker stand by the performance of their Patz vertical mixer.
Duane Holker and son Albert have been milking cows at their present location in Kingston Minnesota, since 2000. They currently milk about 200 cows. Since June of 1998 they had been using a reel mixer.
"Our nutritionist was telling us that some of our herd health problems were because of the quality of our feed ration," says Duane.
"The ration was not consistent. You could see the minerals in the beginning part of the feed alley and the hay would come out in clumps throughout the ration."
The Holkers knew they had to do something, but were not impressed with the first vertical mixer they tried out.
"It was awkward to pull around and the ration didn't look that great," states Duane. "We tried a second vertical mixer and it was much better."
According to Duane, Albert does the feeding and so he let Albert decide which mixer to buy. Their local Patz dealer, Hobert Sales, Inc., of Cokato, Minnesota, let them try out a Patz vertical mixer.
"We both loved the Patz," exclaims Duane. "We liked the front discharge a lot better than the side discharge. It was easier to see what we were doing.
"The frame was heavier but the floatation tires made it easier to pull," he adds. "The Patz cleaned out great and didn't leave all of that feed in it to rot or freeze down."
There was no question in their minds that the Patz Vertical Mixer was the one that best suited their needs. The Holkers bought the Patz Model 1100 420 cubic foot low profile vertical mixer and have seen great results ever since.
"The best part is the cows are doing great," states Duane. "We have had the Patz for 36 days and as of today we are up 5 lbs. of milk. This is an extra 985 pounds of milk per day! With 197 cows we can't afford our old (reel) mixer."
Adds Duane, "Even with only 2 pounds of hay per cow per day, we couldn't get the (Brand X reel mixer) to work. We haven't changed our ration at all and our intakes are up. We can tell the dry cows are doing better also."
In addition to the benefit of better herd health and increased milk production, Albert appreciates the time savings since they purchased the Patz Model 1100.
"Once we load all of our ingredients, we turn on the mixer as we drive to the barn," says Duane. "Albert saves 2 hours a day feeding since we bought the Patz!"
Kingston Creek Dairy also knows that their Patz vertical mixer can handle just about anything they throw into it.
"It's hard to put up decent haylage in this area. Since we buy all of our feed, next year we are going to use more hay. I know I can buy good quality hay and I won't have to feed the cows poor feed. We can use more hay in the Patz, because we tried it with some old slew grass and it worked great."
With their Patz Model 1100, the Holker's know they can feed the ration they want now and not be limited by what the mixer can mix.