Thinking About Adding a Mixer Wagon to Your Farm?
A mixer wagon is a key tool in modern dairy nutrition, designed to blend feed ingredients into a uniform, balanced ration. This ensures each animal receives the optimal mix of energy, protein, fibre, and minerals in every bite — improving intake, digestibility, and overall feed efficiency.
In this blog, we answers some of the most common questions about the advantages and key considerations of introducing a mixer wagon to your dairy farm.
In short, by delivering consistent, nutritionally complete rations, a mixer wagon supports:
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Improved herd health and fertility
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Higher milk production and quality
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Better feed utilisation and reduced waste
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More consistent and profitable performance across the herd
HERE’S SOME KEY REASONS WHY YOU CAN BENEFIT FROM A BvL MIXER WAGON
1. Improved Cow Health
Healthy cows mean higher production. Mixer wagons allow you to deliver balanced rations with the right minerals and vitamins in a more palatable form. This leads to improved animal health, faster feeding times, and better overall productivity. When cows receive consistent, high-quality nutrition:
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Common issues like mastitis, milk fever, and facial eczema can be detected and managed earlier.
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Preventative care becomes easier, saving you money on treatments.
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You’ll benefit from higher milk yields per cow, improved milk quality, and the potential for premium returns.
2. Improved Feed Consistency
If you’re aiming for consistent milk production and volume, a mixer wagon is a game-changer. Backed by science, mixer wagons:
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Ensure each ration is accurately measured and mixed.
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Improve feed digestibility.
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Encourage higher feed intake while reducing the risk of disease.
The result? More days in milk and healthier cows, consistently performing at their best.
3. Improved Feed Utilisation
Mixer wagons enhance feed conversion efficiency—turning feed into milk solids or weight gain more effectively. By supplying a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) throughout the day, cows receive the ideal balance of:
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Energy
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Protein
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Fibre
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Minerals
This promotes a healthy rumen environment, leading to more efficient, productive, and profitable animals.
4. Incorporating Straw into the Diet
Straw has become an important dietary component in dairy nutrition—especially for dry, transitioning, or replacement heifers. It helps:
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Lower dietary energy,
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Control feed intake,
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Prevent over-conditioning.
A mixer wagon blends straw evenly with other forages, preventing cows from sorting through feed and ensuring a consistent intake.
The Right Sized Machine & the Correct Setup Matters
Choosing the right mixer wagon for your farm is just as important as deciding to get one. Capacity, mixing style, and setup all need to suit your herd size, feed system, and infrastructure. It’s important to understand what’s required to operate one efficiently on your farm. You’ll need to consider:
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Feedpad Access
Mixer wagons aren’t designed for paddock feeding. You’ll need a feedpad and suitable tyres and axles to handle heavy loads on muddy or uneven ground.
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Centralised Feed Storage
For smooth loading and feeding, it’s best to have your feed stored in one location. Scattered bunkers can slow things down and increase labour.
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Two Machines Required
You’ll need both a tractor to run the mixer and a loader to fill it. Trying to manage with just one machine can create bottlenecks and reduce efficiency.
That’s where Webbline can help. Whether it’s your first mixer wagon or your seventh, we’re here to support you every step of the way — from choosing the right model to ongoing support on-farm. Let’s find the right solution for your operation.
Learn more about the BvL range of V-Mix Mixer wagons here, or get in touch with one of our Product Specialists today on 0800 WEBBLINE (0800 932 254) or call into your nearest Webbline branch. Webbline have branches located in Hamilton, Feilding, Ashburton and Gore.
