SILOKING feeder cuts Irish farm's daily loads from three to two
Farrell runs a spring-calving herd on a grass-based system, using supplementary rations to maintain dry-matter intake when grazing needs to be supplemented. The feeder operates throughout winter and for another four to six weeks during the spring turnout period. Farrell says dry summers have also required its use during the summer months. He organises livestock into groups to make fuller use of the machine's capacity: milking cows receive feed each day, whereas young animals and dry cows are usually fed on alternate days. According to Farrell, preparing a partly filled batch takes almost as long as mixing a full one, so he aims to load the machine to capacity.
Farrell highlights the uniformity of the rations, particularly those prepared for dry cows, which contain substantial amounts of straw. He says the machine distributes the ingredients evenly and believes that consistency contributes to the performance of cows receiving supplementary feed. A nutritionist helps him formulate the diets. Their usual ingredients include silage made from grass and maize, straw and individual feed materials. Farrell favours relatively simple formulations and says the feeder accommodates those ingredients while helping him use the farm's forage supplies.
The TrailedLine 4.0 Premium uses SILOKING's twin turbo auger system. Its design is intended to circulate large volumes of feed while retaining the structure of the forage; turbo flights on the augers assist mixing and discharge. Farrell previously used a paddle-type machine and says the vertical-auger arrangement allows him to load whole bales without first breaking them apart. He uses it for straw, hay and silage. The FlowPlus ring around the hopper redirects material towards the mixing area, assisting bale processing and limiting accumulation around the hopper's upper edge.
Although the replacement machine is considerably larger than its predecessor, Farrell says it remains easy to move through the farm. He attributes this partly to its steering axle and says it negotiates the passages almost more easily than the smaller feeder did. He also values the weighing display inside the tractor cab. This lets him check quantities while loading and move between ingredients by pressing a button, with the system handling the addition of weights. The SILOKING Data equipment tracks the amount of each ingredient, supporting repeatable loading across successive batches.
The conveyor at the front gives Farrell control over the quantity discharged along the feed barrier. He finds that feature particularly useful during summer supplementation, when a relatively small amount of feed must be spread across a long feeding area. He says the ability to regulate delivery helps him distribute these smaller rations. The conveyor is among the practical features he identifies alongside the steering axle and cab-mounted weighing display when describing the machine's day-to-day operation.
After nearly six years with the feeder, Farrell says it has needed no repairs beyond replacing worn knives during routine maintenance. He describes its construction favourably and regards the absence of repair work during the period of financing as an important benefit. His assessment of the purchase combines that service record with the larger capacity, the consistency of the feed mixture and the ease of operating the equipment. Farrell says he would recommend the machine to other farmers.
Technical assistance has come from Kverneland Group Ireland, with Farrell singling out demonstrator Diarmuid Lonergan for his knowledge of the feeder. He says Lonergan is available by telephone to answer operating questions and can help him resume work within minutes. Farrell describes this access to support as another positive aspect of owning the machine.
