When it comes to producing forage, Shropshire farming brothers Pete and Tony Hockenhull are focussed on producing the highest quality round bale silage and haylage, to push live weight gains for their herd of beef cattle.
“We aim to make a minimum of three cuts each year, and depending on the season we could make up to five cuts,” explains Pete, pictured, of Sunderton Farm, Uffington, near Shrewsbury. “When it comes to feeding, we believe our beef cattle should be treated just like dairy cows – so our aim is to feed them well, so they grow well and provide the best returns possible.”
That philosophy has seen the farm recently improve its forage-making processes, by investing in a twin-rotor rake from Battlefield Machinery, replacing an old hay bob. Having completed its third season, Pete says the hydraulically adjustable working width has helped to fill the baler’s pickup.
“We’re totally self-sufficient with machinery, so we remain in control of forage quality. And the rake has certainly increased our efficiency,” says Pete. “Making rows for the baler was a steady old job, but with the rake, we can now row-up in half the time, which improves our timeliness. And that makes it easier to take advantage of short weather windows.”
Pete adds that the rake’s working height is easy to adjust, and that means cleaner raking with mown grass.
“We don’t need to scrape every blade off the deck,” he adds. “It’s important to avoid soil contamination if we want to produce the best quality forage possible.”
The rake has had its hydraulic system modified to afford split oil flow so that rotor lift can be achieved independently, rather than both working simultaneously.
“It’s a simple conversion that adds flexibility to suit field sizes and headlands,” he says.
