How To Choose A TMR Ration Mixer？

1. What is a TMR ration mixer?

Total Mixed Ration (TMR) mixer is a feed processing equipment designed for ruminants such as dairy cows, beef cattle, and goats. It can mix and stir concentrated feed and roughage according to a scientific formula ratio to improve the palatability and nutritional balance of feed, thereby reducing feed costs and improving breeding efficiency. This equipment is particularly suitable for large-scale ranches.

Common total mixed ration (TMR) mixer include vertical and horizontal types; trailed mixer, stationary mixer, and self propelled mixer. Ranches can choose according to different actual conditions and use case.

Common total mixed ration (TMR) mixer include vertical and horizontal types; trailed mixer, stationary mixer, and self propelled mixer. Ranches can choose according to different actual conditions and use case.

2. Characteristics of different types of TMR mixer

Horizontal TMR mixer

Structure: It consists of 1 or 2 horizontal and parallel augers, which mix the feed by rotating.

Advantages:

The auger drives the grass to apply pressure to the bottom plate, so that the grass is extruded and cut, which has a better effect on the treatment of long grass. Cut finer at the same time.

Disadvantages:

A.Weak ability to process large bales of grass, long time required,

B.The auger and the bottom plate are squeezed and worn by grass for a long time, and their service life is not as good as that of the vertical TMR mixer.

C. It is easy to store materials in the box during discharge, and the discharge is not clean.

D.It takes a long time to process large cubic grass, so it is only suitable for small ranches.

Vertical TMR mixer

Structure: It consists of 1-2 vertically arranged spiral drills, which quickly chop and mix feed through the spiral drills.

Advantages:

A. It can quickly chop round and square bales with high processing efficiency.

B.The required mixing time is shorter, and the uniformity after mixing is higher.

C.The auger, bottom plate, and side plate are thicker and have a longer service life.

D. It has functions such as variable frequency starting, accelerated centrifugal throwing, and remote control.

Disadvantages

Because one motor drives all the augers, it has higher requirements for ranch infrastructure such as transformers, air switches, and cables.

3. Volume selection of TMR mixer

The number of cows that can be fed with one cubic meter of TMR mixer depends on the daily feed intake of the cows and the density of TMR. ‌Generally, the effective processing volume of TMR mixer is generally 80%-90% of the rated volume. Specifically, the density of TMR is usually 0.35 tons/cubic meter. In actual use, factors such as the breed, growth stage, and health status of the cow need to be considered, which will affect the feed intake of the cow.

The calculation method of the mixing volume of TMR mixer is as follows:

daily diet volume = number of cows × daily feed intake ÷ TMR density (the average density of TMR diet is 0.35 tons/cubic meter).