The Patz OZy "Innovations in Dairy Technology" - WKOW TV27 Madison, WI

Patz OZy on AgDay TV with Al Pell

Increased Intakes, Increased Butterfat, Increased Bottom Line!

In operation since the late 1920s, Johnson Farms is a family-owned dairy run by Steve Johnson and his son Grant in Hebron, IL. To feed their 120-140 dairy cows, they depended on a series of silo unloaders, conveyors and feeders. When a conveyor broke down, the Johnsons needed to find an alternate method to feed their herd until repairs could be made. Their local Patz Dealer accepted the challenge and suggested they further automate their feeding system with a Patz Vertical Mixer. He offered to conduct an on-farm demo so they could witness the benefits of a Patz mixer firsthand.

Seeing Is Believing! After the impressive on-farm demo, the Johnsons were sold on a Patz mixer! Steve and Grant Johnson purchased a 420 cu. ft. Patz Model 1100 Vertical Mixer to feed their herd.

When asked what their return on investment has been since purchasing their Patz Vertical Mixer, Grant Johnson reported these impressive results:

• A very consistent ration – resulting in reduced sorting and less wasted feed.
• Ability to add large bales right into the mixer without busting them up first.
• It mixes fast - - without over-processing the feedstuffs.
• Does a great job mixing batches for 13-15 cows at 500 lbs/mix for his dry and fresh cows.
• Has reduced concentrates used in his mix - - saving him about $1500/mo on protein mix.
• Saved time and labor - - approximately ½ hour each day.
• Within the first week, milk butterfat content and feed intake began to increase! Grant reports, “We were up 16 pounds since last year and 4-5 pounds over the last month.”

When asked to describe in one word how his Patz Model 1100 Vertical Mixer makes him feel, Grant responded, “Relieved!” He only wishes that he would have purchased a Patz mixer ten years ago now that he has experienced such a considerable increase to his bottom line.

Seeing is Believing!

Contact your local Patz Dealer for an-on farm demo
to see how a Patz Vertical Mixer will benefit your operation!

Well-Blended Ration Contributes toFewer DAs & Healthier Cows!

Ruben Riehl
Honey Brook, PA

29 Holsteins and Jerseys
Model 400 Vertical Mixer
140 cu. ft.

"I am very happy with how well the (Patz Model 400) mixer handles all my feedstuffs, especially high moisture baleage. I believe the well-blended ration has contributed to fewer DAs and healthier cows that start their lactations off stronger."

The Model 400 Stationary Vertical Mixer is available in four sizes from 140 to 240 cubic feet. Learn more about the Patz 400 Stationary Vertical Mixer.

For long-term survival and growth of your farm . . . these areas deserve your attention!

In its March 25, 2009 issue, Hoard’s Dairyman, featured an article written by Charles E. Gardner, D.V.M. acknowledging that many farm managers are scrutinizing their operations looking for ways to cut costs or boost income during these tough economic times. In this article, the author cautions the reader to be very careful not to lose production as a result of cuts since it is very difficult to recover even a few pounds of lost production.

A veterinarian with a MBA, and business development manager with Cargill Animal Nutrition Consulting Services, Gardner identifies and discusses these six key areas that deserve major attention:

• Provide a continuous supply of a high-quality ration.
• Have a sound and consistent milking routine.
• Optimize cow comfort.
• Follow an effective reproductive program.
• Have a sound transition cow program.
• Have a consistent source of high-quality replacements.

To read the complete reprint of Gardner’s In good times and bad, these areas deserve major attention article as featured in the March 25, 2009 issue of the Hoard’s Dairyman, you can download the full article by clicking here.

Patz Has the Answers You're Looking For

Looking for ways to reduce your feeding time while increasing your herd's milk production?

Stop by the Patz booth at the WPS Farm Show at the EAA Grounds in Oshkosh, WI (March 31st - April 2nd) to speak to one of our reps or dealers for the answers.

Our booth is located in Building C (5623-5626, 5635-5638) as well as at the Outdoor Display (5095-5100). Come and check out our complete line of Vertical Mixers including our largest model, the Patz 3600 Triple Screw Mixer.

How can dairy producers best position their business in tough economic times?

Keeping a positive attitude and staying focused on efficient management practices will help you stay profitable in a down market. Bill Earley, Dairy Business Manager, ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc., offers suggestions to prepare for the unstable road ahead in the current issue of Progressive Dairyman.

• Take a close look at your current operation and note what you are doing right as well as where you need to make improvements.
  


• Seek input from your employees on ways to save costs and become more efficient in daily practices.
  


• Work closely with your nutritionist, veterinarian, agronomist, and financial experts to plan a course of action for removing profit leaks. Are you feeding a cost efficient ration to your cows while still providing the essential nutrition to maintain their good health? Are your herd health practices providing maximum preventative care at the least possible cost? Have you developed crop plan strategies that are sustainable for your operation?

Take time to evaluate your operation, improve efficiency, and surround yourself with forward thinking advisors, and you will be on track to maintain profitability in spite of the current economic conditions. Read the full article from Progressive Dairyman by clicking on the source link below.

Source: “Keeping positive and focused in this year’s down market” article by Bill Earley. Progressive Dairyman Issue 3, February 10, 2009.

Considering alternative feedstuffs.

Using alternative feeds can be cost effective, but producers and nutritionists should know the overall nutritional composition of the feedstuffs they are using in order to get the most benefit.

According to Normand St-Pierre, Ohio State University animal science professor, the best way to determine the composition for localized by-products is to get the information from the manufacturer.

In an article in Dairy’s Bottom Line, a publication of the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin (PDPW),
St-Pierre lists the following as important composition items, but notes that not all will be used for every by-product: main nutrients, percent dry matter, crude protein, fat, ash (sum of all the minerals), NDF (neutral detergent fiber), lignin, ADF bound nitrogen for roughage, degradable and undegradable protein estimate and effectiveness of fiber.

Source: Integrating Alternative Feed Into Rations, article by Sarah Young, January 2009 issue of Dairy's Bottom Line (PDPW). Normand St-Pierre, Ph.D., P.A.S., Professor at The Ohio State University, is one of the PDPW's Annual Business Conference's featured speakers.