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NEWS MESSAGE
Harvesting forage with a wagon - part 2
User story: John Lynch Farmers – Europrofi 2
Certainly no newcomers to the benefits of loader wagons High Milton Farm and its Bargower Herd of 600 high yielding Holsteins in Ayrshire have been utilising wagons in one way or another for the last 10 years. Billy Lynch of John Lynch Farmers describes those 10 years as a large learning curve. But even back at the beginning Billy was using the wagons to operate a zero grazing system. Today the business utilises a Pottinger EuroProfi 2 loader wagon to perform all its forage harvesting work.
“Our ultimate aim is to zero graze 365 days a year. Currently we achieve that with grass from April to October and through to March by zero harvesting kale with the Pottinger wagon”. Although conditions under foot can be difficult in the winter and spring in this part of Ayrshire, the Pottinger wagon is riding on a parabolic tandem axle set up and shod with large 650/50 22.5 tyres. This helps ensure that when things get difficult the wagon stays on top doing as little damage as possible.
| The 180hp tractor up front is coupled to a front disc mower and with the wagon in tow makes it a true one pass harvesting system. This allows wagon operator Brian Smith to pick up forage quickly and cleanly bringing daily loads back to the cows. |
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Not only used for zero grazing the Europrofi 2 is used to bring the silage in for the clamp and at this time works alongside 2 Pottinger Torro and 4500L loader wagons operated by his local contractor David Laird. “The 3 wagons together make a great team, we can clear grass fast and get it back to the clamp quickly with a consistent chop length” Billy goes on to say “When compared to the self propelled forage harvester system we used previously to do the clamp silage, there is no doubting we have saved thousands of pounds when it comes to fuel and labour”.
When asked about performance of the wagon Brian comments “Its been great, we can pick up fast and pack in some big loads, the automatic loading system means all I worry about is going forward. The wagon really takes care of itself”. When quizzed about the wagons reliability Brian sums it up by saying “Bullet proof, we use the wagon in less than ideal conditions at times but it’s never let us down and that is what matters when we rely upon it daily”
Billy finishes by saying “For us it’s all about maximising yield and milk quality from forage plus being in total control of our feeding regime. The Pottinger wagon allows us to do just that, it gives us the flexibility to respond quickly if we should need to”
Created: 27.07.2007
