Winter Feeding: A Reliable Investment for the McCoy Family in Co. Tyrone

For father and son team Geoffrey and Sam McCoy, based just outside Caledon in Co. Tyrone, efficiency and reliability have always been at the core of their farming operation. The family has traditionally run a calf-to-beef system, finishing over 400 cattle per year, but are now transitioning into dairying — a shift that calls for greater consistency in feeding.

Having already used a Kverneland Siloking Compact 12 for over 12 years, the McCoys returned to the same brand when it came time to upgrade. Their new machine, a Kverneland Siloking TrailedLine Compact 14, has been working on the farm for 18 months and continues to impress both for its performance and durability.

“We had the 12 before this one for over a decade,” 

“It was used more than twice a day, 365 days a year, and it gave us very little bother. That reliability is what brought us back to Siloking.”

Built to Handle More

The decision to move from the Compact 12 to the Compact 14 was driven by the need for greater capacity as the business evolves.

“We were contemplating the switch to dairying and just needed something slightly bigger,”

 “The Compact 14 gave us that extra room without moving into twin-tub territory, which wouldn’t suit our setup.”

Aside from capacity, one of the key features that drew them to Siloking again was the build quality.

“We looked around at several other brands before buying,” says Geoffrey. 

“Some of them weren’t up to scratch. The Siloking was more expensive, but it’s well worth the money — it’s solid and you can see the quality.”

Mixing Quality That Delivers

The McCoys make their own silage with a forage wagon, resulting in longer grass lengths that can be a challenge for some diet feeders. Not so with the Compact 14.

“The chop is brilliant,” Geoffrey says. 

“The feed goes in fairly long, but once it’s been through this, it comes out well chopped and well mixed.”

With a larger auger and more knives than their previous machine, the Compact 14 delivers a finer, more consistent mix, leading to better intake and improved feed efficiency.

“It mixes everything well — straw, silage, meal. It handles big or small batches with ease,” Geoffrey adds. “You just need to give it enough time to mix, and the result is excellent.”

Simple to Operate, Easy to Maintain

While performance is important, the day-to-day practicality of the machine has also been a big plus.

“It’s easy to manoeuvre, even in our tight yard,” says Geoffrey. “And it’s simple to operate and grease. Everything is accessible.”

That user-friendliness extends to the way feed is delivered, too. The McCoys opted for an 800mm front-mounted elevator, which they find more versatile than the standard rear discharge.

“We had a long feed passage here last year and fed both sides using the elevator,” explains Geoffrey. “If it’s set up right, you can just lay out the feed cleanly at the animals’ heads. It saves pushing up later — we’d use the elevator over the back door any day.”

Dependable Dealer Support — When You Need It

The machine was supplied by DA Forgie, a Kverneland and Siloking dealer. But, as Sam pointed out, the best thing about the support is how little they’ve needed it.

“We’ve had no problems with the machine at all. We haven’t had to call anyone out. It’s just been solid and reliable.”

A Long-Term Investment That Pays Off

With decades of experience using diet feeders, the McCoys are clear on what works for their system. While acknowledging that Siloking machines cost more than some alternatives, they believe the value is clear for farmers looking for longevity and performance.

“The last one gave us 12 years of hard work,” says Sam. “Of course there was some wear, but we barely spent anything on it — and we expect the same from this one.” 

For any farmer considering a diet feeder — particularly a compact single-auger machine — both Geoffrey and Sam have a clear message:

“We’d absolutely recommend the Compact 14. It’s strong, reliable, and just works. We don’t need anything bigger, and we wouldn’t be without one now.”

For more information on the Kverneland Siloking TrailedLine Range or to discuss your feeding needs, contact:

Allan Hetherington (Area North): +44 7826 544630Greg Tennyson (Area South): 087 700 9689Or visit https://ie.kverneland.com/trailed-diet-feeders