So you think you’re an engineer…..

[box]

Wagon and front plain disc mower is probably way to go

I think you're right, that's what the cut & carry goat people are doing here. Huge tractor, huge wagon, plain disc mower on the front, they absolutely fly around the paddocks and get through alarming amounts of area in a very short amount of time.

Minimal damage to the grass from what I've heard (apparently goats are quite picky when it comes to bruised grass?)

 

[mf7480]

A local contractor made this obviously for a forager but would a tractor handle something similar on the front & wagon behind?View attachment 1029054View attachment 1029055

That’s some very clever engineering. Was it a set of double rear mowers? Looks like they’ve used the conditioner drives to run the augers?

 

[essexpete]

lot of reasons ..

fragmented land base
no grazing infrastructure
less waste from ZG
more milk consistency

… for starters

I have no idea and I realise the fragmented grazing is a major problem but with all the increased costs of running machinery will it all add up?

 

[Bald Rick]

I have no idea and I realise the fragmented grazing is a major problem but with all the increased costs of running machinery will it all add up?

In theory, it is cheaper than ensiling albeit silage would be a more stable product (in other words, doesn't vary unlike fresh grass where it depends if it's sunny or raining)

As of yet, we haven't been able to get a measure of the response as the ZG keeps breaking down and the so the cows have yet to modify their gut flora from wholly TMR to a more fresh grass bug life.
I would expect a healthy uplift in litres especially April - June where sugars are at their highest and then a greater response in milk solids towards the tail end of the grass season where proteins dominate

 

[Wesley]

That’s some very clever engineering. Was it a set of double rear mowers? Looks like they’ve used the conditioner drives to run the augers?

I think it started life as a Krone EasyCollect header. He buys, sells & breaks foragers as a sideline/winter work to contracting so would’ve had a donor machine lying about.

 

[Sausage]

I agree with SPFH … but you need to explore any and all options

We have a purpose built ZG machine. It’s mower is only 7’ and we need to lift around 12 acres a day, sometimes from a few miles away.

Wagon and front plain disc mower is probably way to go

12acres/ day, every day through the summer?! Plus the silage requirement (which will be reduced if not using it in summer). You must have some sort of grass area about and some sort of cows.

 

[Adam@Rumen]

Seen it done successfully with a wholecrop header on the chopper.

 

[Sambo]

Krone and pottinger both do triple mowers with no conditioners but with augers for merging instead. Can also open the backs of the augers so then they can be used for silaging too.

 

[Suckndiesel]

A zg100 will have half as much output again as that ab80 bonino you are working with and be a lot more reliable. As for ground compaction a forage wagon has higher axle weights than a zero grazer, needs bigger gateways and wouldn’t be as good in very wet condition, plus points tho you can lift a bit of silage with it.

 

[Gerbert]

https://www.trekkerweb.nl/site/assets/files/0/03/47/888/dsc01459.-detail.jpg

Big dairy outfit somewhere in the south of the netherlands. Krone 4 meter folding mower and pottinger wagon with 8 wheels.

 

[Ducati899]

Think @Beef farmer has a engineering degree

 

[Beef farmer]

Think @Beef farmer has a engineering degree

How may I help?

Baldy, buy a zg from Nail? And be done with it. All the rest are imitations.

Nigel Baker? Tried to zg his 2500? Cows. Does he still do it?

I'd put 50 quid on you not doing it in 2 years time

 

[Martin Holden]

There is a big dairy farmer in Kent who runs this setup quite successfully I seem to remember. If you want his number pm me it think he is milking around 1500.

Would that be a certain Peter ?? Can’t recall his surname?

 

[kiwi pom]

In theory, it is cheaper than ensiling albeit silage would be a more stable product (in other words, doesn't vary unlike fresh grass where it depends if it's sunny or raining)

As of yet, we haven't been able to get a measure of the response as the ZG keeps breaking down and the so the cows have yet to modify their gut flora from wholly TMR to a more fresh grass bug life.
I would expect a healthy uplift in litres especially April - June where sugars are at their highest and then a greater response in milk solids towards the tail end of the grass season where proteins dominate

Do you really not have any grazing ground around the buildings?
Seems a strange place to build a dairy farm, opening the gate is a lot easier than farting around on a tractor burning diesel all day.

 

[vantage]

Would that be a certain Peter ?? Can’t recall his surname?

The man with lots of energy! Well actually the unit of energy.

 

[Martin Holden]

The man with lots of energy! Well actually the unit of energy.

 

[Matthew Britton]

Would that be a certain Peter ?? Can’t recall his surname?

Yes it would, Peter Joules.

 

[Martin Holden]

Yes it would, Peter Joules.

Yup! That’s him!

 

[Matthew Britton]

Yup! That’s him!

He is a really nice guy but I guess marmite from what others say. I have to say that i admire him, Hillary and Rob . I have always found him ´proper’ and a real farmer and business man and easy to talk to.

 

[Martin Holden]

He is a really nice guy but I guess marmite from what others say. I have to say that i admire him, Hillary and Rob . I have always found him ´proper’ and a real farmer and business man and easy to talk to.

Yes he’s a straight talking no nonsense chap from memory. Last time I was on his farm it was his son I met