A2B-Ltncattef Farming, Saturday, March 11, 2000 (Continued from Page A 26) “When we looked at the eco nomics of building the new silo, we looked past the initial cost and at long-term cost for the silo,” said Van Gilder. “We have significantly less spoilage with the upright silo than we would have with a bunker silo. With the new equip ment and silo, we can fill and unload the silo as quickly as we could a bunker. And we have less labor invested.” Drew Freeman from the Crop Storage Institute concluded the meeting with a discussion on vertical storage systems and a comparison of bunker storage systems. “For decades, tower silos were € Vk WOODS REARMOUNT FINISH MOWERS R.S. HOLLINGER & SON, INC. Mountville, PA 717-285-4538 MESSICK’S Elizabethtown, Pa 717-367-1319 MARSHALL Abbottstown, PA MACHINERY, INC. 717-259-6617 Honesdale, PA 570-729-7117 REIFF FARM SERVICE Shippensburg, PA 717-532-8601 Crop Storage Institute Sponsors Meeting the only way to feed silage,” said Freeman. “But then the indus try switched to horizontal silos because of greater speed in fill ing and feeding time.” “The industry has reacted to farmers’ desire for speed and ef ficiency, making the silos bigger and equipment better,” said Freeman. When most farmers expand, they look at the initial cost of in vestment when they determine what feed storage system to use. When looking at initial costs, the horizontal silos are the lower costing systems, comparing a 5,000-ton vertical storage system at $160,000 and a 5,000- ton horizontal storage system at $85,900. 0A WOODS BACKHOES ... come in for a demonstration D.W. OGG EQUIPMENT CO Frederick, MD 301-473-4250 Westminster, MD 410-848-4585 HOOBER, INC.. WERTZ FARM & McAlisterville, PA POWER EQUIPMENT 717-463-2191 & 7 (fijl mi Woods Ground Breakers ™ 6 1/2 ft., 7 ft. & 9 ft. 3 HOOK-UP OPTIONS Skidsteer • 3-Point Hitch • Subframe Quality, performance & versatility describe the Woods-Du-Al family of backhoes. Multi function Control Valve design provides for a smooth operation. These backhoes are a proven leader in the agricultural & commercial industries. For more information,-see your Woods dealer. The RD7200 Rear Discharge Finish Mower is the newest addition to the Woods line of 3 point hitch finish mowers. • V-Belt Drive with 3 blades • Industrial Quality Blade Spindles with Tapered Roller Bearings • Floating 3 point hitch • Stagger Mounted Caster Wheels • Available for 20 to 40 HP, 540 RPM Category Tractors • 72 Inch Cutting Width WOODS However, according to Free man, a fanner should consider the additional labor, tractor, and spoilage costs associated with bunker silos when looking at the long-term investment of feed storage systems. Freeman’s research showed that the twenty year investment and operating cost of a 5,000-ton vertical storage system averaged $2.12 per ton, while a horizontal system with the same capacity PIPERSVILLE GARDEN CENTER Pipersviile, PA 215-766-0414 ECKROTH BROS. FARM EQUIPMENT New Ringgold, PA 570-943-2131 Orefield, PA 610-366-2095 Glen Rock PA 717-235-0111 cost $3.51 per ton, not including spoilage losses. His research also showed on average 10 percent more loss with a horizontal silo than with a vertical silo. “For every one percent of feed lost in storage, it will cost the farmer $6 more per cow per year,” said Freeman. While Freeman’s research showed that upright silos can be more cost effective, he did concede that horizontal silos can HEAVY DUTY HOOF TRIMMING TABLES Endorsed by the International Hoof Trimming School of Wisconsin • in K* 3500 lb. axle with or without brakes • two hydraulic cylinders for extra stability • tool box for D.C. pump and battery protection • manure grate to keep work • fold away side gate FOUR MODELS TO CHOOSE 1. PORTABLE 2. STATIONARY 3.3-POINT HITCH 4. 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