16 CUMBRIA FARMER February 2009AdvertisingFeature
FIELD TEST
Tailor-made by Keenan
New, larger 360 diet feeder makes life easier for the Awde family
T
revor Awde, his wife
Frances, their daughter
Lynsey and son Francis
farm 1,200 acres at
Melmerby with the help of two
full-time and two part-time
employees.
They have a herd of 370 dairy
cows plus followers and up to 50
dry cows.
In addition, on their other farm
nearby, they keep beef cattle and
winter sheep.
With such a large enterprise �
and after increasing the number of
cattle � Trevor decided to replace
his previous Keenan 140 diet feeder
with a new, larger 360.
The new mixers have adopted
the Mech-fiber method, which is
based on a specific ration struc-
ture that has been proven to
maximise food intake and ensure
that the diet delivers the full
potential to the cows, nutrients
included.
The improved feed efficiency
allows farmers to control feed costs
at an acceptable level.
"We were mixing too many loads
per day, and found, with the new
mixer, that mixing less was giving
us a better consistency in the
feed," said Trevor.
"The new machine has a wider
paddle than the previous model
and mixes quicker. I looked at tub
mixers too, but they don't seem to
empty out as well.
"Keenan will tailor the machine
to your needs.
"Some of our sheds are tight for
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FIELD TEST
`It gives a consistent feed out of the chute, and is good at
chopping straw too. We have seen an improvement in yields'
a big feeder, so Keenan made the
mixer slightly lower to allow for
this."
Trevor added that they have
found the new Keenan quiet when
mixing and, as it doesn't require
too high a horsepower to mix, it is
very fuel-efficient.
"It gives a consistent feed out of
the chute, and is good at chopping
straw too," he said. "The cattle
are very content with the mix and
we have seen an improvement in
yields."
Keenan has a reputation for on-
farm performance and mix, and
its quality paddle mixer systems
cater for large and small farms alike.
Peter Crawford, nutritionist for
Keenan, explained the diet and the
importance of maximising Feed
Conversion Efficiency (FCE) as
the starting point for a profit-
based dairy or livestock produc-
tion unit.
FCE describes the quantity of
milk (litres) produced per kg feed
of dry matter consumed.
Peter sat down and discussed
Trevor's requirements and devised
the following diet which has seen
an average of 29.8 litres:
28kgs of silage
6kgs of wholecrop
0.75kg of straw
400 grams of fat
3.5kgs of soda wheat
4.5kgs whole crop beans
150 grams of mineral
7.5kgs of blend.
The result is milk solids: fats
4.33, protein 3.33 milk.
Keenan performance measure
FCE: 1.31
Trevor has also decided to
embrace Keenan's Mech-fiber sys-
tem by purchasing the new pace
technology.
This will enable him to have a
consistent mix every time, ensur-
ing that there is no over-processing
and allowing him to monitor the
herd's performance right down to
the finest detail.
Good advice: Keenan nutritionist Peter Crawford, right, with Trevor Awde and his grandson David beside the farm's new 360 diet feeder

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