Product Information
Grassland Management:
From studies carried out zero grazing can increase grass production by 30%. All grassland on the farm is available to the dairy stock, regardless of the distance or use of public road. Grazing season can be extended at both the beginning and end of the year. Poaching and cow fouling are eliminated while grazing and topping is all done in one. As all land is available, nitrogen usage is decreased and a better use of slurry on the farm all help to reduce costs. The value of this can't be under estimated, where fertilizer usage has been reduced by 75% on some farms. Cutting date is usually 20 - 23 days in good growing conditions. Providing the correct grass to animals will have a positive impact on milk yield, milk solids and grassland management. A general rule is to follow the quality grass and take out surplus in silage. Nearly unaware to farmers using a Zero Grazer®, by using this simple rule they become better grassland managers.
Feed Management:
When cows have access to unlimited grass, intake is greatly increased. Their maximum amount of grass is consumed in a shorter space of time; energy is saved walking around grazing, while more time is used producing milk. Increased usage of grass in the cow's total diet has helped reduce silage requirements. On the continent some herds are housed full time and never let out. This practice would have certain advantages for some dairy farmers but most Irish dairy farms would not see this as the main reason to purchase the Zero Grazer®. In must situations cows are only housed at night (slatted shed), with grazing during the day, on land beside the parlour. In other cases cows continue to graze full time with zero grazed grass being fed when grass is tight on the grazing block. While others use the machine early in the year and late in the year, in between cows graze as normal. It's the flexibility the Zero Grazer® offers, that makes it so appealing to the dairy farmer.
The Zero Grazer®:
Based on the same principle as the silage wagon, grass is loaded into the trailer, onto a moveable floor. As the trailer is loaded, grass is moved to the back until the trailer is full. Replacing a pick up real, a drum mower exists cutting the grass. A conveyor directly behind the drums collects and loads the cut grass. Feeding is controlled by opening the door and unloading grass onto the feed passage. At the same time the tractor moves forward distributing the grass along the feed barrier. Other options are available which consist of conveyors similar to the diet feeder. This reduces the need for forking and of course making the system less labour intensive. All functions are controlled from the tractor cab. Sizes of the machine vary from 11 cubic meters to 32 cubic meters. All machines have flotation tyres as standard, which reduce soil compaction and improve re-growth. It is for this reason farmers are capable of cutting grass, where the herd themselves would be unable to graze due to the damage they would cause. This is more evident in early and late season where grass utilisation can be a problem as weather conditions can deteriorate. It's at these stages the value of a Zero Grazer® is priceless and a serious management tool for any grass based dairy farming.
