The Keenan Altech open day in Borris, Co Carlow, had a wide range of focal points for attendees on Wednesday. The large crowd consisted mainly of current customers of the Keenan and Alltech brands. However, there were also some smaller agri-companies in attendance for the first time, showcasing their brands and products, including Grasstec, Moocall, Actus, Herdwatch and Samco.
As well as having a large variety of new and used machines on show, the event also had beef and dairy nutrition seminars running throughout the day, as well as a full factory tour running on the hour, every hour.
There was a large variety of new and used machines on show.
The primary focus of the day was undoubtedly the machinery on display. There was a large range of new diet feeders on show, ranging from 8m3 up to larger 28m3 capacity machines. With regard to prices, a standard 17m3 feeder with steering axle is priced at approximately €39,000, while a 24m3 model with steering axle will cost approximately €57,000. Without doubt, the most eye-catching machine on display was the Keenan MechFibre365 self-propelled feeder – the one rested in the yard on the day was readied for a trip to Donegal to begin its working life.
Despite the obvious interest in the brand new machines on display, the sales reps seemed just as busy talking to customers about the Keenan-approved range of diet feeders also showcased on the day. It was explained that Keenan-approved machines are a range of used feeders which are taken back through the factory line to be tested, shot-blasted, have new parts fitted and finally, resprayed.
Again, turning to prices, a 2008 20m3 approved feeder was being offered at €21,500 while 14m3, six-paddle mixer was priced at €13,000.
Cathal Bohane, Keenans, during the dairy seminar.
Something of great interest to the farmers in attendance were the nutrition seminars running throughout the afternoon.
The dairy seminar commenced with a talk by Cathal Bohane, a nutritionist with Keenans. Bohane went through a range of nutritional factors to be considered on every dairy farm. The importance of a consistent mix, as well as the reduction of feed-loss, “which can be up to 20% on farms”, were highlighted as two key problem areas for dairy farm feed practices.
Perhaps the most interesting and relevant area touched upon by Bohane was feed budgeting and alternatives. The advice was “prepare for the worst, hope for the best” in regards to budgeting. Fodder alternatives were also a hot topic, with Bohane warning farmers that “it is important to know that feed stuffs such as soya hulls are fodder replacers – they should not be confused as replacements for concentrates”.
Finish better, younger and faster presentation.
A smaller crowd of beef farmers was given a presentation from Gerry Giggins, a nutritionist with Keenans, during the beef seminar. The presentation, entitled “finish better, younger and faster”, went through the key areas in a finishing programme, including rumen health, housing management and minerals of the diet.
The area of induction was keenly highlighted by Giggins who stated that “animals bought in should be allowed rest and recuperation for at least two days, with access to clean water and feed before further handling.”
Giggins also expressed the importance of water to rumen health, stating that “a finishing bull will drink up to 60l of water each day”. Richard Dudgeon, an Alltech nutritionist, explained the importance of minerals and mycotoxins in the diet of a finishing animal.
Keenan's open day has something for everyone
Keenan keeping InTouch from Dunboyne
The Keenan Altech open day in Borris, Co Carlow, had a wide range of focal points for attendees on Wednesday. The large crowd consisted mainly of current customers of the Keenan and Alltech brands. However, there were also some smaller agri-companies in attendance for the first time, showcasing their brands and products, including Grasstec, Moocall, Actus, Herdwatch and Samco.
As well as having a large variety of new and used machines on show, the event also had beef and dairy nutrition seminars running throughout the day, as well as a full factory tour running on the hour, every hour.
There was a large variety of new and used machines on show.
The primary focus of the day was undoubtedly the machinery on display. There was a large range of new diet feeders on show, ranging from 8m3 up to larger 28m3 capacity machines. With regard to prices, a standard 17m3 feeder with steering axle is priced at approximately €39,000, while a 24m3 model with steering axle will cost approximately €57,000. Without doubt, the most eye-catching machine on display was the Keenan MechFibre365 self-propelled feeder – the one rested in the yard on the day was readied for a trip to Donegal to begin its working life.
Despite the obvious interest in the brand new machines on display, the sales reps seemed just as busy talking to customers about the Keenan-approved range of diet feeders also showcased on the day. It was explained that Keenan-approved machines are a range of used feeders which are taken back through the factory line to be tested, shot-blasted, have new parts fitted and finally, resprayed.
Again, turning to prices, a 2008 20m3 approved feeder was being offered at €21,500 while 14m3, six-paddle mixer was priced at €13,000.
Cathal Bohane, Keenans, during the dairy seminar.
Something of great interest to the farmers in attendance were the nutrition seminars running throughout the afternoon.
The dairy seminar commenced with a talk by Cathal Bohane, a nutritionist with Keenans. Bohane went through a range of nutritional factors to be considered on every dairy farm. The importance of a consistent mix, as well as the reduction of feed-loss, “which can be up to 20% on farms”, were highlighted as two key problem areas for dairy farm feed practices.
Perhaps the most interesting and relevant area touched upon by Bohane was feed budgeting and alternatives. The advice was “prepare for the worst, hope for the best” in regards to budgeting. Fodder alternatives were also a hot topic, with Bohane warning farmers that “it is important to know that feed stuffs such as soya hulls are fodder replacers – they should not be confused as replacements for concentrates”.
Finish better, younger and faster presentation.
A smaller crowd of beef farmers was given a presentation from Gerry Giggins, a nutritionist with Keenans, during the beef seminar. The presentation, entitled “finish better, younger and faster”, went through the key areas in a finishing programme, including rumen health, housing management and minerals of the diet.
The area of induction was keenly highlighted by Giggins who stated that “animals bought in should be allowed rest and recuperation for at least two days, with access to clean water and feed before further handling.”
Giggins also expressed the importance of water to rumen health, stating that “a finishing bull will drink up to 60l of water each day”. Richard Dudgeon, an Alltech nutritionist, explained the importance of minerals and mycotoxins in the diet of a finishing animal.
Keenan's open day has something for everyone
Keenan keeping InTouch from Dunboyne
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