Silos
Allow for a capacity that gives you time to order and accept delivery without running out. Most auger trucks carry 12 tonnes, so 16t silos are the norm and a visual window at top of the hopper section is valuable.
Check that silo angle is 60 degrees to ensure good meal flow to bottom .Councils will often ask for an engineer’s report for the silo pad, and a resource consent may be required if silos are close to roads or boundaries.
Mineral dispensers
These are best installed at the back of the silo before the main feed, to avoid auger throwing mineral out if introduced after the silo. Bridging and flow problems can be an issue with mineral dispensers. Ensure silo unloader at silo base is horizontal, not sloped, to avoid minerals flowing wrong way, and seizing the main anchor bearing. Uneven flow from silo or dispenser will result in uneven dosing of cows.
Auger
A 75mm auger will move palm kernel easily in an 80mm pipe, has minimal tension so is less likely to break. However its maximum length is 45m, requiring transfer boxes for longer distances. The feed is the “lubricant”, so palm kernel grit increases wear rate, with significant levels after 2000t.
Motors
Use three phase, they cope with load better, and single phase can start in reverse if started under load. An overflow pipe between the last dispenser and the motor will help keep meal away from clogging the gearbox.
Rotary versus herringbone
Rotaries are always simpler and cheaper to install. The single entry-exit point on a rotary and cow electronic identification makes metered and time delivery simpler. Herringbones are complex to set up with feed to production ID, and equipment is not well protected from cows.
Additional tips
Silos and transport systems are becoming more common in feedpad configurations.
More systems are using 24 volt instead of 240 volt, to reduce electric shock risk in wet areas.
Transfer gearboxes can help achieve right angle configurations.
Use a nutritionist to provide a more independent view on cow needs.
Generally, as farmers gain confidence and net benefits of systems they will move to higher quality feed inputs.
