Dr. Matt Hersom, from the University of Florida, presented at the recent Canadian Beef Industry Conference held at Calgary, Alta., and shared findings from on-ranch research in Florida that showed a 3:1 cost benefit when feeding a specific trace mineral source vs. traditional sources, such as salt mineral licks. Hersom’s work compared Alltech’s organic product offering vs. inorganic trace mineral sources and found a 2.7 per cent increase in pregnancy rate.

Many factors influence the success and health of a cow and calf, but none so much as nutrition. Something as simple as the type of trace minerals fed can affect immune status, weaning weights and pregnancy rates.

Shelby Roberts, a research scientist at the Alltech Center for Animal Nutrigenomics and Applied Animal Nutrition research facility, shares research showing how trace minerals can affect both dams and calves during calving season and beyond.

The MechFiber370+ sets new standards in ration mixing, combining KEENAN’s unique MechFiber technology with high capacity. It will feed 100+ cows in a single load. This diet feeder is ideal for medium to large scale farms. With its high auger positioning, feeding into high troughs or barriers is easy. It comes with or without Bale Blending technology. There are a variety of optional extras that can also be chosen.

Lower power, torque and fuel requirements

The MechFiber370+ can be towed with a 90HP tractor. To drive the mixer, when loaded, requires approximately half this power delivering substantial savings in overall fuel consumption (and often size of tractor) compared with other mixers. 

Simple two-chain drive system

KEENAN’s simple two-chain drive system has an unbeatable track record of reliability. A primary drive chain and three sprockets transmit power to the auger and idler. A second sprocket powers the much larger paddle sprocket.

Automatic oiler

An automatic oiling system can be fitted as an option and is operated by the hydraulic rams opening and closing the guillotine door. This delivers ‘pulses’ of oil to the drive chains, lubricating them to the optimum levels for safety and improved chain life.

We can customise our machines to your needs:

• Higher auger ideal for high troughs.
• Automatic oiler & 2 chain drive system.
• Bale Handler option.
• Full length auger for consistent feed-out.
• Variable feed control & feed-out height.

Other key benefits include:

• Fresh new look with specially moulded black pin seal matt finish front covers.
• Rear ladder made of sleek tubular steel – user-friendly, collapsible and less prone to damage.
• Mixing chamber containing 6-paddle reel with new style paddle castellations ­– improved mix quality, less horsepower required, less machine wear.
• The paddles gently lift & tumble the added materials across the blades ensuring feedstuff is cut to an optimal length without destroying the quality of the fibre. This is to create a mix with the correct chop length & structure for optimum rumen health – improved herd health and productivity.
• Option to add lights over feed-out door and increase the length of the feed-out door – easy to see when ambient lighting is low and quicker feed-out.
• 4th Generation KEENAN Controller, feed management App and InTouch platform for full oversight of the mixing process and all farm data – see ingredient list and order, monitor costs, refusals etc.
• Option of key telematics on Controller – oil sensors, chain tension sensor etc. – helps to maintain machine in good working order

KEENAN MechFiber345SP+ features

• Consistently delivering the patented KEENAN MechFiber mix, with a capacity of 16 cubic metres 
• Heavy duty sealed oil-bath drive system 
• Exclusive Storti mechanical transmission, reducing fuel consumption by up to 25 percent 
• Cutter head designed and tested to ensure protection of forage structure for optimum mix quality 
• Ultimate in operator comfort and control with twin video cameras and in-cab monitor for visibility, climate control (optional) and pneumatic seat 
• Reduced noise and running costs 
• Left and right front discharge via adjustable conveyor for homogeneous distribution of total mixed ration (TMR) 
• Available with the KEENAN controller, providing the optimum in TMR management and feed efficiency

Class-leading cutter head technology

The cutter head on the KEENAN MechFiber345SP+ has been engineered to deliver rapid loading of a vast number of products (grass silage, hay, waxy maize, pulp, pellets, flour, square or round bales of straw or hay, etc.) leaving a clean, uniform face for optimum clamp management.

The tungsten-coated blades feature a unique crossed arrangement, performing clean cuts without damaging the structure of the fibre, even with very compact silages.

Speed. Precision. Versatility.

The unique placement of the blades and configuration of the loading channel allows the cutter head to load in both directions, and easily run in reverse if needed. The high speed loading belt delivers a significantly reduced mix preparation time.

Design & ease of maintenance

Features mechanical drive to the six-paddle reel. This exclusive engineering system, by means of a specially designed gearbox and PTO shaft, transfers all the power from the engine to the mixing system, thus reducing fuel consumption (by up to 25 percent) as well as reducing maintenance costs.

Since there is no hydraulic pump and motor, the risk of expensive replacements and/or downtime is reduced. The drive to the mixer paddle is performed by means of a specially designed hydraulic clutch activated by an electric button situated in the cabin. The operator is free to start and stop the mixing system at any time. 

A diet feeder manufactured by Irish machinery brand KEENAN, owned by Alltech, has been validated as the first environmentally sustainable diet feeder in the world. The validation was issued by the Carbon Trust, a global organisation headquartered in the UK, that works with private and public organisations to become more resource efficient and to reduce their carbon footprint.