Dairy farmer Jan Vlooswijk has been convinced by the benefits of self-loading feeding technology for over two decades. He started using a self-loading silage cutter and discharge machine in the 1990s, and today relies on a Triomix self-loading feed mixer. Jan: "A self-loader is an all-in-one solution. You don't need a separate loading system and a single person can operate the machine. These are the major benefits we’ve enjoyed for more than two decades."
Smooth silage wall
What he also appreciates is the neat silage walls that the Triomix leaves behind after cutting operations. The shear knife on the Triomix passes smoothly through the silage and leaves the feed structure and silage wall intact. Jan: "Just look at what a tight pit it creates. You don't get that with other machines."
Together with his parents Jan runs a dairy farm with 110 milk cows and 65 young heifers. Milk production is 9,600 litres per cow per year with a fat content of 4.4% and a protein percentage of 3.52%. Feeding the animals – including heifers and dry cows – takes him around half an hour per day on average. "We were familiar with the Triomix self-loader thanks to our neighbour, who was already using it. We were very impressed and continue to be so today. We would recommend it to anyone."