Michael's Group: BvL mixers providing optimal livestock feed - Trade Farm Machinery

Oct 30, 2024

Offered by Michael’s Group, the BvL mixer wagons can blend different types of feed and minerals together to provide optimal nutrition for livestock

With more than 150 years of experience, family-owned German company Bernard van Lengerich (BvL) is renowned for its feed mixer wagons.

This type of machine has the capability to blend a variety of feed types together, producing a nutritious feed for livestock.

By using a BvL mixer wagon, farmers can ensure their animals are provided with a ‘total mix ration’, with the correct balance of energy, protein, fibre and minerals.

It also allows for the use of minerals and supplements that may not be normally palatable for the animals to be incorporated into feed.

This is because the minerals and supplements are blended within the rest of the feed, and therefore hidden, so the animals feed on it without realising they are taking in these additives.

Whether you’re dairy farming or feed-lotting, this can help to increase feed utilisation for livestock.

Some of the essential factors that should be considered when feeding are correct feed selections, maintaining production, saving time and providing optimal nutrition.

Due to this, the BvL V-Mix Plus mixer wagons can be a handy tool.

V-Mix Plus

BvL’s importer for Australia and New Zealand, Webbline Agriculture, has recently appointed Michael’s Group as an Australian BvL dealer and has seen success with the V-Mix Plus range.

With the machines having the ability to mix different types of feed, farmers have greater choice – for example, using high-cost or low-cost products, as well as commodities such as grains or silage.

Once it is all mixed together, farmers can provide their animals with a nourishing feed – which can be particularly effective when dealing with seasonal changes.

“At certain times of the year, farmers can find themselves low on natural environment feeds like grass,” Webbline Australian sales manager Tim Currie says.

“The BvL mixer wagon gives a farmer an opportunity to bring in feed, store it on their property and then mix it all together for their animals.”

Looking at the design of these machines, there are several augers, separated by wedges, that direct the flow of feed. When the feed is processed it comes through one auger and is forced into another.

An asymmetric design sees the mixing wedges offset from the augers, a key feature of the BvL brand.

“BvL is well-known for being the only brand of mixer wagons that are designed with this asymmetric mixing pattern,” Currie says.

By having this design style, he says the machine provides a more even mixing blend.

“When you’ve got multiple types of feed in the mixer, you don’t want big lumps of one type of feed and nothing of the other,” he says.

“You want to have an even and consistent blend throughout the mix and that’s what BvL is renowned for – it’s perfection of mixture.”

Another key feature of the BvL mixing wagons is what Currie calls the ‘shark’s bite’ on the rotating part of the auger.

This allows feed to drop down further into the mix wagon, creating a faster and more efficient blend.

“Rather than trying to wind its way through like a screw, the machine has room down the bottom for that mix to drop down and blend at the bottom.”

“That’s where the mix will consistently produce a good quality blend.”

Build quality is a particular standout of these mixer wagons and is further emphasised by a Double Anti Spill Ring – situated on the inside of the top of the machine.

As the name suggests, this prevents feed from spilling out of the top of the machine, but it also increases its strength – in case of being hit by loading tractors and telehandlers.

Even when the BvL V-Mix Plus machines are full to the brim, Currie says the Double Anti Spill Ring will hold dry materials inside. This enables the mixer wagon to blend feed quicker and with maximum consistency.

“As it gets full, the feed naturally pushes to the top and could spill out,” Currie says.

“However, the ring will push the feed to the centre again, preventing this from happening.”

Versatility

With the ability to be used in different environments – such as feedlots and barns – as well as catering to different size requirements, the BvL V-Mix Plus range is highly versatile.

Further emphasising this, there are many options and variations to choose from, including different tyres.

BvL customers can choose from super single, duals and flotation tyres. It all depends on the weight of the load and what type of ground the machine is driving over, Currie adds.

These machines also come in various sizes, from 17 cubic metres up to 34 cubic metres, so farmers can choose the mixer wagon that is most suited to their farm size and number of animals.

Technology is a key feature of these mixer wagons, as they come with weigh scales and a monitor that can be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth.

A feed management system can be set up using this feature, where rations can be uploaded all from the comfort of the farmer’s home.

“Once a ration is uploaded, the driver of the mixer wagon can get a notification on their smartphone telling them what feed needs to be used,” Currie says.

“The weighing system will allow farmers to track their numbers if needed.

“These mixer wagons enhance feeding practices and boost productivity on-farm.”

BvL V-Mix Plus mixer wagons available at Michael’s Group include the 17N-2S (17 cubic metres capacity), 20H-2S (20 cubic metres), 24H-2S (24 cubic metres) and 34-3S (34 cubic metres).

For more information, contact your local Michael’s Group branch – Michael’s Moama, Michael’s Of Donald, JCB Gippsland or JCB Ballarat.

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