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NW Iowa | We were in much of the same position a few years ago...feeding bales in rings over winter. We usually had some hay and stalks custom ground and fed it with the loader, since we didn't have a wagon. Then got a smaller one to feed ground hay and corn. Worked good for what we were doing. Couple years ago, bought an older Gehl mixer on a sale for ~$3k. We don't own a grinder, so that is custom done, but it is not expensive. Usually grind 25-30 bales at a time with the tub or 10-15 with a processor at a crack. Sometimes, we dribble the syrup on the ends of the bales then grind (if it's cold out) otherwise, we have the syrup set up in totes and pumped with a gas powered cent pump. Usually get 3 totes at a time from the local big feedlot. So far this year, we've been feeding bales, because of the weather (and cows are on stalks). Here pretty soon we will be using the wagon again for feeding. Will be using syrup and distillers as well.
We have an older schuler wagon and an older roorda wagon that we do not use that would be a good fit for your size herd. If you'd be interested in either, shoot me an email. | |
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syrup and a cost effective way to grind hay for a small herd of fall calvers
