Getting Attached: Loader attachments are an integral part of the overall TMR feeding program. Jaylor offers three styles of attachments to facilitate a good nutrition system

Published on Wed, 07/22/2015 - 1:53pm

1. The Silage Shear is the ultimate bunk management tool for loading haylage or corn silage into a TMR mixer. The sharp blade effortlessly shears a slice off the pile, into the bucket, without disturbing the rest of the bunk. Its high-pressure clean-cutting action leaves the bunk face straight and smooth which is less prone to air contamination as compared to that caused by a conventional loader bucket.

This method of cutting silage from the bunk face also allows for a precise amount to be removed, reducing spoilage of unused material. The material can then be loaded directly into the TMR mixer without changing buckets.

Five models are available from S125 with a capacity of 17 ft3 (0.5 m3) to S475 at 92 ft3 (2.6 m3) and everything in-between. The diverse sizes allow for use on the small skid steers, front end loaders, and larger wheel loaders. The S350 and S4575 model can also be used for slicing bales.

2. The Bale Grabber allows conventional and wrapped silage bales to be handled without damaging the sealed plastic layer. This allows your operation to take advantage of the benefits of wrapped bales without sacrificing convenience. The self-adjusting arms allow bales of any size up to 5' x 6' to be easily moved and stacked.

3. The Bale Shear allows bales to be easily sheared in half while conveniently removing the netting or plastic wrap. Slicing bales before loading them into the TMR mixer helps reduce mixing time — effectively saving time and fuel. When feeding a ration that requires a partial bale, the Bale Shear provides a convenient way to select the amount of the bale required — more precision means less waste.

Staggering Cost of Inefficiency

While loader attachments help ensure high-quality ration inputs, it is equally important to produce a TMR which mixes those components uniformly and maintains the effective fiber in the ration. “It’s important not to underestimate the value of achieving a uniform mix when feeding dairy cattle,” says Dr. Vaage.

Average feed costs for lactating cows in North America have decreased sharply with the new crop this fall, but were still $9.73 per head per day on average in the United States. On an annual basis, feed costs would be about $1.29 million for a herd of 250 lactating cows ($888,000 for the 250 lactating cows, plus an estimated additional 45% ($400,000) for the associated heifer replacements and dry cows). When non-uniform mixing results in ingredient variation along the feedbunk and sorting, it is easy to achieve a five- to ten-percent reduction in milk production as well as a reduction in milk fat concentration.

Adjusting for an expected concomitant reduction in feed intake (about half the drop in milk production), the net cost of such an effect was estimated to be up to $91,000 annually in lost milk income over feed cost, or potentially the cost of a new TMR mixer. Thus, it is also not hard to see that using the right TMR mixer is a worthy investment.

Why Nutrition Matters

“From feed storage to the muzzle of the cow — that’s our expertise and passion” says Dr. Herman DeBoer, Sales Manager for Jaylor. The focus at Jaylor goes beyond what you would expect from a TMR mixer manufacturer. Not only are they concerned about the mechanics of their equipment but have a philosophy that focuses on nutrition.

“When cattle are fed a poorly mixed TMR you will notice that they nuzzle and work the grains out of the feed. Cattle are a lot like children in this respect.” says Janet D. Kleinschmidt, B.Sc. (AGR), M.Sc., Ruminant Nutritionist for Jaylor. “They would prefer to just eat the ‘candy’ of the ration which would be the small tasty grains first and then ‘top off’ with forage until they are full.”

This sorting activity creates a low pH in the cow’s rumen which negatively influences milk fat production and causes additional issues such as locomotion and fertility problems.  Ms. Kleinschmidt describes that when she arrives at a farm with a poorly mixed TMR, she often finds sub-acute rumen acidosis (SARA), which prevents the herd from obtaining its full potential from the ration. Sorting can typically be reduced with proper moisture content by adding water or wet by-products such as brewer’s grains, or molasses to the ration, but a good-quality and well-maintained TMR mixer is really the key for blending the ration correctly.

“Over-mixing is another huge problem I see on farms in America,” says Janet. “When the mixer is run too long, the ration is chopped too fine, which destroys the effective fiber. When the cow eats, the rumen isn’t properly stimulated which leads to decreases in basic saliva production and can eventually cause problems with SARA and related laminitis. The following symptoms will help you identify the illness:

  • Poor cud-chewing action
  • Decreased butterfat
  • Lame cows
  • Strings of mucus from the cow’s nose
  • Foamy and yellow diarrhea

If you notice some of these symptoms in your herd, talk to your nutritionist about reducing concentrates and increasing forages as well as monitor the time the mixer is left running.” Typically, when using a Jaylor TMR mixer, mixing for only 3-5 minutes after the last ingredient has been added is all that is needed to achieve a uniform mix.

It is also important to monitor the particle size distribution of your ration. This can easily be done using the shaker box included with every Jaylor 5000 series TMR Mixer. For North American style lactating rations, Jaylor Ruminant Nutritionist, Dr. Alan Vaage, recommends ideally trying to achieve a TMR where about 5% of the mix is retained on the top (3/4 inch) sieve, at least 45% will be on the middle (5/16 inch) sieve, and no more than 50% will be on the bottom pan (Table 1). A functional generalization is to have at least some material on the top sieve, but no more than 10% to minimize sorting, and then at least half of the remainder retained on the middle sieve to ensure adequate effective fiber, and a particle size distribution that will resist sorting.

The 5000 Series

Since their launch in 2013 the 5000 Series of Jaylor TMR Mixers has been a game-changer. “This series represents everything we’ve accomplished over the past 20-plus years,” says General Manager, Gerry Tamminga. From those first units Jake built back in 1993 to now we have been involved in a process of continuous improvement. Jaylor has never stopped research and development of their products and doesn’t plan to in the foreseeable future. As innovations are developed and tested they are added to the current series at the time.

Tamminga says this is so their customers can benefit right away rather than having to wait until the next release. “The 5000 Series of Vertical TMR Feed Mixers incorporates a full range of new features that we have developed since the current 4000 Series was introduced in 2008,” says Tamminga.

“These features include, among others, its patented auger design that decreases horsepower requirements by 20%, new door and conveyor discharge options, stronger cast metal parts, and heavier loading capabilities.” The lineup includes units from 50 cubic feet (1.4m3) to 1295 cubic feet (36.7m3) and everything in-between, providing a solution for every size farm.

All these mixers come standard with the patented Jaylor auger and the full range of innovations. Jaylor offers the most comprehensive warranty in the industry: 5 years on the frame, 5 years on the gearbox, 4 years on the scale system and a year on the balance of the mixer. A full range of options is available to create a tailored feeding solution for every application.

Of particular note is the 5000HD Series Twin Auger TMR Mixers which are built extra robust, and designed for heavier loads on rougher surfaces than the standard Mixers. They are available in a full range of configurations in capacities from 650 ft3 to 1295 ft3 and have a heavier frame and sub-structure, cast dual-axle walking beam assemblies with extra heavy-duty axles and hubs, and heavier duty wheels and tires. They also come with thicker auger flighting and floors. Together these enhancements make the Jaylor HD mixers capable of blending and transporting mixes that are up to 75% heavier; ideal for dense rations.

The New 5275 Mini-Mixer has been specifically designed to process bales up to 4'x5' into a uniform TMR that resists sorting. At only 79" tall, even the smallest skid steers won’t have any trouble loading this 275 cubic foot (7.8 m3) model and just 45 Horsepower will run it.

On the other side of the size spectrum Jaylor has the Mini Mixers models A50 and A100 which are useful for smaller operations, or specialty groups, such as weaned calves or dry cows. Both models are available in four unique versions: a 3-wheel, all-wheel Self-Propelled; a gas-engine-powered Pull-Type; a gas-engine-powered Truck-Mount; and an electric motor or gas-engine-powered Stationary.

In order to meet your particular needs, these mixers are designed and engineered with the same capabilities and durability as the larger 5000 Series mixers, including the ability to incorporate long forage into true total mixed rations. The patented square cut auger is capable of processing intact small square bales, as well as sections of large bales of hay and baleage. Each model also comes with a complete scale system for accurate weighing.

The Auger is the Key

Jaylor has innovated in many areas but the auger is where the magic happens. “It’s a square cut which allows more feed to come off so you have a quicker mix.” Jake Tamminga, President of Jaylor says. “The knives are located on the corners of the auger which give it a more efficient cut by using a slicing motion instead of forcing them into the feed. That’s why our mixers take 20% less horsepower; when someone has a mixer that takes excess horsepower that energy is wasted in the destruction of fiber.” Tamminga adds.

With traditional round augers bales tend to stay at the top of the mixer for a long time, especially on smaller units. The open sections of the Jaylor Square-Cut Auger allow the bale to quickly drop where the lower knives can break it apart and process it faster. The patented sloped-top prevents the bale from ‘sitting’ on top of the auger and ensures the auger can break it apart. The Tungsten Carbide coating on the knives creates a harder surface on the top, allowing the bottom to wear faster which keeps the knives sharp. The special Alexander and Vertical knives quickly slice the bale into chunks that can then be processed by the auger, ensuring uniform length of cut through the whole ration.

Before you buy your next TMR, talk to the folks at Jaylor — Because Nutrition Matters.™