![]() Next up is an electric and portable precision cattle feeding machine, the Super SmartFeed made by US-based C-Lock. Super SmartFeed: Portable, solar precision cattle feeding “This way you don’t have to think about where you leave your tractor and if the robot is going to bump into it,” he explains. “We would suggest an all-in-one solution.” Their robot has to drive outside to get to the feed kitchen and different cowsheds and Kruidhof says it’s better when the robot has the space to stay in the cowshed. ![]() “Problems in communication between the robot and the door system can lead to disputes, because each supplier can claim that the problem does not lie in their product,” he says. He notes that the WB is still in a pilot phase and they’ve had to add a door from another supplier that opens automatically to allow the robot entry. In terms of the WB robot, Kruidhof thinks using a feeding robot is the way ahead, saving a lot of time on feeding that can be better spent on other things. We like how the Trioliet T30 is accurate in both the amount and the mixture of the feed.” Because of that our cows are eating more and we see an increase in milk production.” “Our cows eat smaller and fresher portions many times a day. “We like how the Trioliet T30 is accurate in both the amount and the mixture of the feed,” says Kruidhof. Before they got it, they had an self-propelled feed mixer and decided to look for other feeding options because of diesel consumption and the time it took to feed all the animals. Mark Kruidhof and his family have had a T30 with WB robot since 2019 on their dairy farm (with a 150-cow milking herd) in Ommen, the Netherlands. Interview with Cainthus CEO: Feed tech zooms in on each cowĭublin-based agtech firm Cainthus, recently launched its bespoke feed technology that can monitor cows in real time, 24/7. He believes that “government grant programmes, similar to those in some European countries that support environmentally-friendly technologies on the farm will certainly drive the market for this technology.” Ammann believes that right now with the battery-driven electric equipment technology that’s available, electric feeding machines are nicely suited for small and medium-sized dairy farms as they are cost-effective and efficient for feeding. “But in our situation, Siloking made the heavy weight of the battery pack an advantage for the machine concept and we use the weight of the battery to put more weight on the drive axle, which results in more traction in the winter months, for example on snow and ice.” He expects battery technology to continue to improve. “One of the challenges of battery technology in general is still the weight and space it takes,” says Reto Ammann at Siloking Canada. For its batteries, Siloking works closely with a European forklift manufacturer that has many years of proven experience. Siloking also makes the ‘eSilokamm,’ a self-propelled electric-powered silage collection and distribution machine. The feedout is consistent and cleanout is perfect.” I was not going to sacrifice anything on mixing quality and I don’t with this unit. The electric motor has tremendous torque. In the autumn, winter and spring I can load feed the night before and start it up with no issues in the morning, even after the feed has settled. “And then there’s minimal noise and zero emissions. “In the winter, you usually have to charge it every second night, and the cost is about CAD$ 3 to charge it, so that’s $ 1 to $ 1.5 a day,” he says. “The total cost of ownership was comparable to other systems and when we had it as a demo, we found out that it really shines in terms of energy consumption.”īuist charges the unit every third day at night when electricity rates are lower. “We did our research and found that Siloking had an electric mixer and I thought ‘this is worth trying’,” says Buist. Buist explains that for years he had already had a self-propelled TMR mixer and feed cart all-in-one, and he was in favour of another self-propelled machine to do these jobs in an expanded way in a new barn. Klaas-Jan Buist of Buistlane Farms in Canada (Mount Elgin, Ontario) purchased the 8 m³ Siloking eTruck TMR feed mixer in 2018 after having it on the farm as a ‘demo’ for a few months. To get the latest news on products, we’ve contacted some major manufacturers, along with 2 farmers and a scientist to get their perspectives on their use as well as the outlook for the years ahead. And, now that battery lifespans are longer and some equipment can even use solar power, demand is stronger than ever. Farmers are very interested in environmentally-friendly equipment and systems with zero emissions and no noise. Every year, more new electric and automated farm machinery come onto the market, and that should not be a surprise.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |