Advice: What to look for in a feed mixer

Choosing the right total mixed ration (TMR) mixer wagon is crucial to provide livestock with better nutrition and consequently improved milk yield, weight gain and overall better health.

Feed mixers come in different sizes and different configurations in the bowl: vertical or horizontal augers; single, double, triple or four augers; trailing or self-propelled and more. Then there is the power requirement to consider to ensure you have the right tractor for the job if you’re after a trailing model.

How to choose? We ask Inlon Australia, who distributes the Strautmann brand of mixer wagons in Australia, for some useful tips.

Suited for Aussie conditions

“Aussie farmers often paddock feed, yet many mixers are designed for the large European ‘barn-feeding’ market, which has less need for strong suspension or heavy duty tyres,” explained Inlon’s Strautmann Product Manager, Shane Ryan.

So where you will be driving your feed wagon determines what tyres you need on the wagon, or if it needs a stronger suspension for use in bumpy paddocks and rougher terrains.

Power requirement

What is the power requirement of the mixer wagon and is it compatible with the tractor on your farm?

Always check that the power and PTO requirements of the selected mixer wagon matches the machinery you own, and that it can mix the feed efficiently and quickly without chewing up too much power.

Auger configurations

“Speed and efficiency are important, but it must also thoroughly mix the components,” Ryan said.

“From breaking up whole bales and cutting hay and straw, through to incorporating silage, grain, minerals and concentrates, the challenge is to create a uniform feed ration without over processing.”

There are multiple auger configurations and combinations on the market, the most common ones being horizontal or vertical augers. Depending on the size and volume of feed operators wish to mix, they can choose between one, two, three or four augers in the mixing bowl.

Choosing the right auger configurations depend on the volume and type of mix you have. For example, if the volume of mix is not great, horizontal augers will work better in mixing them more thoroughly as compared to vertical augers.

Long lasting

Due to the harsh conditions that feed mixers go through and the type of material that’s fed into the mixer bowl, you will need it to be made of some pretty tough material.

Ensure walls and blades are made of stainless steel so they don’t erode easily. Walls and floors should also be thick enough to withstand the frequent beating and mixing in the tub.

Size and type

“Selecting the optimum mixer size will depend on your herd size, feed densities and quantities, and the number of feeding cycles per day,” Ryan said.

Suffice to say there is a massive range of mixer wagon sizes available on the market, with capacities ranging from two cubic-metres to 45 cubic-metres to cater to feedlot or livestock operations of all sizes.

Self-propelled or trailing depends on how often you will be using the machine and how much you will feed. Needless to say, self-propelled models come at a higher cost.

Strautmann offers feed mixers ranging from 10.5 to 45 cubic-metres in size in single, twin and triple auger configurations. Depending on the model, Strautmann can adapt the machine to your mixing requirements whether you're mixing predominantly straw and hay bales, silage or high grain mixes.

For more information on Strautmann feed mixers, visit strautmann.com.au.