MechChem Africa January-February 2024

⎪ Local manufacturing and food processing ⎪

Advanced feed mixer improves dairy cattle health Choosing the right feeding system can mean the difference between a thriving herd or one that just exists, this according to dairy farmer, Dylan Eagleston, who recently made the switch to a Trioliet feed mixer from Smith Power.

T he Stockton Farm is a dairy farm based in Creighton KwaZulu-Natal where Dylan Eagleston has used the Trioliet Feeding Wagon for several months. With a precise cutting and mixing mechanism as well as rugged construction, this feed mixer provides more precise mixes with less fuss and drastically improved reliability. The speed at which it works also frees time for his workers to concentrate on other important aspects rather than spending most of the day batching and feeding his prized cattle. Trioliet Feeding Technology equipment is produced in the Netherlands for the global agricultural industry and is available exclu sively from Smith Power Equipment in South Africa. With dealers nationwide, the feeders have quickly found a footing with a variety of different livestock farmers including cattle, sheep, goats and even pigs. These are rugged and well-built feed ers according to Smith Power Equipment’s Herman Meintjes, who explains that the combination of high-quality blade materials, thicker drive shafts and advanced mixing and cutting mechanisms mean the machines are far more durable than traditional equip ment and can operate while stationery if needed. A two-speed gearbox also allows lower power output than equivalent sized mixers. The combination means considerably faster output and has the capability to dose a wide range of additional feeds such as teff, lucerne and other supplements. Eagleston says the 900 dairy cows on his farm are well nourished due to the available settings on the feed mixer that allow feed to be sized according to requirements, which vary throughout the year and growth cycles of his animals. “Having used a traditional older tech nology feed mixer for some years we made the move to the Triolet Feeding Wagon and have not looked back. There aren’t enough hours in the day for farmers and equipment that saves time, effort and gets the job done better than the previous way of doing things is what we are all looking for. I highly recom mend making the move to Trioliet and am happy to share my experiences with other livestock farmers if they wish,” he says. Herman adds that the feeding wagon of

Dylan Eagleston of Stockton Farm in Creighton with his Trioliet feed mixer.

These rugged and well-built Trioliet’s feeders combine high-quality blade materials, thicker drive shafts and advanced mixing and cutting mechanisms.

fers scalability, consistency for balanced di ets, improved efficiency and reduced waste. On farms like Stockton, teams adapt quickly to the new system – often within a few days. The user-friendly design and available sup port and training resources are also geared towards helping users become proficient as quickly as possible. Gerhard Taljaard, Smith Power Equipment whole goods sales manager for the region, and national parts planning manager, says the selection of the right feeding system is a solid investment with a good monetary return on investment in a relatively short period of time. When animal husbandry is factored-in and the benefit of a

healthy herd is considered, then the benefits are clear to see. “Our Trioliet equipment is sold and sup ported through our comprehensive dealer network that covers nearly every corner of South Africa and neighbouring coun tries. We have a large stock holding in our Johannesburg distribution centre and work with our dealers to ensure critical supplies are on hand quickly wherever our farmers need them. In addition, our feed mixers are competitively priced and sold alongside our other brands such as Kubota, Ausa, Fede and a host of other class leading agriculture brands,” Gerhard concludes. www.smithpower.co.za

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