Feed kitchen and multiple loading solutions
Introduction
Flexible feeding system
The feed kitchen is the area where the feed is stored, selected, collected, and loaded into the mixing and feeding robot. Feed that has been ensiled properly stays fresh for days because it is stored in blocks. The system matches also multiple other external loading systems or a combination in a hybrid set-up. The Lely Vector system is standard equipped with the Lely feed grabber. The smart software in the system achieves a feeding accuracy of the products loaded into the mixing and feeding robot of up to 98%. This helps ensure your cows enjoy optimal, consistent feed.
Benefits of automatic feeding system
The crane assembly with feed grabber installed in the feed kitchen moves back and forth above the feed, and picks it up as required. In the feed kitchen, the various types of feed can be easily separated and supplemented. There is also space for a mineral dispenser or additives, if these have to be added to the ration.
Depending on weather conditions and the size of the feed kitchen, you can store up to 3 days of feed. The feed kitchen has enough space for any desired feed strategy and can be extended as a farm grows. Lely Technical Service Support consultants give advice on how to convert existing areas in livestock farms into feed kitchens.
To fit a wide variety of feeding strategies, the mixing and feeding robot and feed grabber can also be applied with other alternative loading options. The type of loading option depends on farm specific layouts and preferences, for example in terms of capacity. The hybrid set up is a straightforward solution for farmers seeking to boost feeding capacity of a standard kitchen by adding an external stainless-steel bin. The full alternative solution offers faster loading and increased capacity by using tower silos or feed bins. A feed center set-up is ideal for large-scale dairy and beef farms with 800+ cows. The feed center enables high capacity feeding with optimal efficiency.
The innovative feed grabber is designed to compose rations from a range of different feed blocks, bales and loose feed ingredients (such as by-products and fresh grass), so this is a very versatile ration-composition system. It automatically moves to the right block of silage or feed needed to weigh and mix the right ration. The feed grabber scans the height of the feed with a laser to grab from the highest point. Self-learning management software helps the grabber determine the depth the feed grabber needs extend to pick up the desired weight.
The feed grabber loads the different types of feed into the mixing and feeding robot by taking small quantities from the highest point of the feed blocks, so that the blocks remain compacted and fresh. If necessary, the Vector can also combine these types of feed with products from other systems, such as tower silos and dispensers, creating a highly efficient feeding process.
The smart software in the system achieves a feed accuracy of the products loaded into the mixing and feeding robot of up to 98%. This helps ensure your cows enjoy optimal, consistent feed.
Because the feed grabber grabs a different type of feed with every movement, the ingredients are already substantially mixed in the mixing and feeding robot. This reduces the time and energy needed to mix thoroughly. The mixing time and the counter blade can be set per ration to ensure homogeneous mixing of the feed.
Frequent feeding
Frequent and precision feeding positively affects cow health and milk yield. Mixing the right ingredients with the right quantities and feeding at the right time requires knowledge, understanding, and time. Our products for automatic feeding are flexible and able to adapt to your circumstances while helping to save you time and provide the right feed at the right moment.