3600 Series Triple Screw Vertical Feed Mixer Success Story
Country-Aire Farms LLC Receives Big Payback from their Big Patz Mixer!
Country-Aire Farms LLC in Greenleaf, WI, is a family-owned dairy operation with 2,100 cows and a total herd size of 3,700 head. As their herd size grew, so did their Patz mixers - from 940 cubic feet in 1999 up to 1,400 cubic feet in 2008!
Country-Aire Farms LLC, host farm for the 2008 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, has certainly come a long way since Edward and Elizabeth Gerritts started farming with eight dairy cows in the 1920s. They gradually expanded and grew cow numbers to 70 cows by the time their son Edward Jr. (Bud) and his wife Ione took over the farm in 1969.
In 1973, Bud added a milking parlor and expanded the herd to 200 cows, which at that time made it one of the largest dairy farms in the area. The herd continued to grow and by 1985, they had 400 cows and had maximized their growth and their farm site.
In 1997, Bud's sons Mike, with wife Cindy, and Tom, with his wife Anne, bought out the dairy operation and planned a major expansion on the site across the road from the family farm. The following year, a 40 stall rotary parlor was installed with a new freestall barn bringing cow numbers to 900.
Soon after that, in 1999 they purchased their first Patz mixer, a 940 cubic foot truck mount Model 9300 4-auger mixer from L & L Sales & Service, Inc., a Patz Dealer in Kaukauna, WI. (That mixer was recently sold having mixed in the neighborhood of 1/2 billion pounds of feed!) In 2005, with feedstuffs changing, Mike & Tom again turned to L & L Sales & Service, Inc., and purchased their second Patz mixer - a 950 cubic foot Model 2400 Twin Screw Vertical Mixer, which had just been introduced to the vertical mixer market.
"That new mixer's ability to mix all types of ration ingredients along with mixing speed and complete cleanout is what sold us," states Mike. "With less moving parts, we expected less maintenance and after 3 years that's been the case."
Another major expansion in 2007 saw the construction of two additional freestall barns and another double 10 parlor, bringing cow numbers to the current 2,100. As their herd size increased, the time required to feed the cows also expanded. Country-Aire Farms, LLC, realized they would need to purchase another vertical mixer and they were intent on buying a Patz mixer. The Gerritts were sold on the performance of Patz Vertical Mixers, but another important benefit also kept them coming back, according to Mike: "Service, Service, Service!!"
Salesman Roger Liebergen, and the service team from L & L Sales & Service, Inc., has always provided dependable and reliable service to Country-Aire Farms, LLC, so it was a no-brainer that Mike and Tom would seek their advice on their next Patz mixer purchase. Fortunately, their timing was just right as Patz was in the process of manufacturing their largest vertical mixer yet - the 3600 Series Triple Screw Vertical Mixer with a mixing capacity of 1,400 to 1,580 cubic feet. In fact, the Gerritts' timing was so good they were able to assist Patz with perfecting the mixer design prior to the product launch. Mike and Tom are not only pleased with the performance of their new mixer, but also with the excellent service they receive from their Patz Dealer and the company as a whole.
Kevin Laabs, Feedman (far left), Matthew Gerritts (center) and Mike Gerritts of Country-Aire Farms, LLC.
"We are very satisfied with the service and support provided by L&L and also especially the Patz Company", states Mike. "They took our input ideas on the design of our latest mixer and helped every step of the way."
Country-Aire Farms, LLC, purchased the first 3600 Series Triple Screw Vertical Mixer produced by Patz. The results have been exactly what they were looking for - reduction in feeding time, while still achieving the superior mix quality they were accustomed to getting from their previous Patz mixers. They have achieved a savings of 2-1/2 hours daily with the 3600 Series.
At today's cost of diesel fuel, run time on the equipment, and labor, Mike figures they are saving roughly $3,000 every month.
"Time is money and the increased productivity we can get with this mixer directly benefits our bottom line," says Mike.
Country-Aire Farms, LLC, is currently averaging 87 lbs/cow/day, 3.61 F, 3.09 P, and 128 avg SCC.
The design of the Patz 3600 Series Triple Screw Vertical Mixer allows it to have a low loading height (106-1/2 inches) for a mixer of this size. This eliminates the need for an expensive loading ramp. With its heavy build and standard features such as an oil cooling system, this latest Patz Vertical Mixer should serve Country-Aire Farms, LLC, for their next 1/2 billion pounds of feed and more.
Mix fewer loads - faster! Contact your local Patz Dealer for more information on the Patz 3600 Series Triple Screw Vertical Mixer.