When asked if he is still using the Rola-Feeder he purchased three years ago, Colbourne Clow just chuckles.
"Of course," he said. "It is working at 100 percent -- there were some kinks at first like any new machinery but we have them worked out now."
Colbourne operates Cassialaine Farms in Freetown with his son, Derwin. With assistance from the Prince Edward Island Adapt Council which administers funding from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada CARD Program, they purchased the state-of-the art technology to provide a means to feed round bale silage to their cattle during the winter months.
Prior to purchasing the machine, the farm would use five round bales of silage every three days to feed their 40 dairy cows. Colbourne explained there was considerable spoilage, and the three-day old silage would have to be forked out the of the bale feeders before the new feed could be put in place.
Now, two bales of silage are put in the five round bale feeders on the farm daily. The bales are held over the feeder (the Rola-Feeder attaches to a front-end loader) and the silage unrolls until each feeder is full. It takes between one and four minutes (depending on how the silage unrolls) to complete the process.
Not only is it a labour saving device for the farm, but it is having a positive impact on the operation's bottom line. The Rola-Feeder breaks up the bale, allowing the cattle to eat loose silage without having to pull and tug at the bale. Since the cattle don't have to work as hard for their food, they eat more and thus produce more milk.
"We haven't done the math completely, but certainly our production is up," Derwin Clow said. "Well fed cows produce more milk."
His father agreed, estimating the forage intake of the herd is up by 20 percent. As well, the Clows use the Rola-Feeder to provide a bed for their cattle. During the winter months, three large round bales of straw are used daily on a manure pack for the cattle.
Derwin explained the Rola-Feeder busts up the bales so that they spread evenly on the pack. The machine can also be used to mulch spoiled hay or silage into bedding. That not only recycles what would otherwise be a waste product but means a reduction in bedding costs for the farm.
Since the Clows bought their machinery, they have had several demonstration days on their farm and have extolled its benefits to fellow producers.
Derwin said he knows of at least two other producers who have since purchased their own machines based on what they saw on the Clow farm.
"It's working so well for us, I really don't think we could get along without it now," Colbourne added. "It has been a really worthwhile investment."
This article is one of a series prepared for the Prince Edward Island Agriculture Awareness Committee to highlight innovations in the agriculture industry.
For more information, contact Phil Ferraro, ADAPT Council, (902) 368-2005.