Automatic milling (Continued from Page A 26) milling system. “A batch system would have required a three-phase setup and with this I was better able to utilize what was already here. “It may be considerably slower but being automatic it doesn’t, require any labor.” Wolgemuth prepares three different rations - one for about 500 hogs and two different for the 70,000 birds - in about four hours. The birds in the large house are fed a concentrate rich in alfalfa meal and oil to produce deeper yolks for eggs that go to a noodle manufacturer. Eggs from the smaller house go to a local processor. ~ The milling system can also be manually operated to prepare additional rations. Wolgemuth will likely use it to make a steer ration, too. “Another plus for this system was that 1 could use the storage I already had,” he said. Wolgemuth has - 30,000-bushel com storage, a limestone tank, and the three separate supplement facilities. Since his system can accomodate up to eight ingredients, he could add storage for ear com or soybean meal, oats or minerals. “1 believe I handle my com better than the commercial places,” he said. “Although I’m feeding com mercial supplements yet, it gives me the extra option of making my own concentrates in the future. ’ ’ But in going to the automatic milling system that prepares the ration on a weight basis, Wolgemuth is also looking to the future. “It’s going to become more and more critical in the future to be able to fine-tune your feeding management,” he said. “It’s going to become essential to provide the birds with the for tifications they need under con ditions that exist at any particular time to meet*production goals.” With the milling system, Wolgemuth believes he will be able to better provide this needed ration and be able to change it faster and more accurately. “When I want to hold con sumption to 23 pounds, I only prepare 23 pounds per 100 birds. If the birds are not eating 23 pounds due to the weather, I can increase the concentrate.” The time may come, too, when the mix of ingredients will be changed on a more frequent basis to meet changing needs. , In addition to mixing the three different rations, the system is also programmed to move the feed to its proper location - to either of the poultry houses or to truck loadout for the hog ration. The system has been designed by Ivan Martin, who also is the distributor of mix mills. “I started work on such a system because many farmers, par ticaularly poultry operators, wanted something that measured the ingredients more ac cuarately,” he said. “That’s why we went to the weight basis.” “The weighing is 99.8 percent accurate.” The system prepares feed in one ton batches. At the Wolgemuth farm, a batch requires about 25 minutes for total preparation. One of the rations being prepared requu ed 1340 lbs. of corn. The first ingredient is always corn since it cdmpnses the bulk of any ration. The system weighs the com for grinding m the hammer mill. As soon as the amount reaches 1340 lbs., a read switch automatically activates the shutoff of the com and the selection of the con centrate. After 560 lbs. of con centrate is measured into the batch, another read switch shuts it off and the final ingredient of 100 lbs. of limestone is added. All of the read switches, which cut off one ingredient and start adding another, have automatic backups. If the switch fails, the backup shuts down the entire system and activates an audible alarm. (Turn to Page A 29) V I \i, 1 ■if" » A .- s. -->?#.** (van jrtin, designer at ig system, . Lebanon, makes - final adjustment in control panel for automatic milling system on Wolgemuth farm. 9* vn OLD OR NEW lancaslertruckbodies lantaster automobile spring co., inc. * 310 RICHARDSON DRIVE LANCASTER-HEMPFIELD INDUSTRIAL PARK PO. BOX 4626 LANCASTER,PA 17604 • U-JOINTS • CROSSES • HEX • YOKES • SUP-YOKES • SQUARE SHAFTS • KEY-WAY CUTTER SERVICE ALL IN STOCK - IMMEDIATE SERVICE THRU FRI| 8 AM_til 4'3o_P M _ I PHONE: 717-394-2647 800-732-0004 SANDBLASTING fSW- REPOINTING WATERPROOFING Aluminum 4 vinyl siding • spouting • fascia 4 soffit • Window capping • storm windows 4 doors • shutters REASONABLE RATES JAMES H. POSTER 507 South Spruce Street Lititz, Pennsylvania 17543 For information or a free estimate, return coupon below Name Address City State Zip Phone: Area_ Directions tojrour home: —A27
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