Keeping thousands of farms around the world in touch

More than half of Keenan’s new mixer wagons have the InTouch system installed SINCE its first introduction in 2009, Keenan’s InTouch communications system is now being used on 3,000 farms across the world, feeding over 300,000 animals.

The system itself has undergone some changes in that time — and in 2011, it developed further to use cloud technology as a vehicle for transporting information from farm to computer.

Now under the umbrella of Alltech Keenan, InTouch is adding some extra features including a new control box and a new app to make it easier for farmers to use.

Basically, InTouch is a live review and support service with skilled nutritionists using simple technology to ensure farmers are mixing the exact rations their animals require every day.

As well as ensuring the mix is correct in the feeder, InTouch measures herd performance, whether it is dairy or beef, by collecting live data and sending it back to the Alltech headquarters in Dunboyne, Co Meath.

This information can then be used as an extra management tool to help farmers improve herd health, ration formulation, weight or yield gains and costs in order to free up cash-flow.

Overmixing a ration can result in it turning into wet balls, depending on the dry matter content of the silage, and can leave it unpalatable for the cattle.

Keenan says the gentle paddle mixing action of its mixer wagons ensures that all ingredients are continually moving during the mixing process.

With the addition of the InTouch technology, this helps create an even mix that is neither over-processed nor sortable every time.

Milk yields have been proven to increase and beef finishing times reduced with the use of the InTouch system as rations are mixed with the correct levels of ingredients required as set out in the nutrition plan.

There are 400 farmers in Ireland using the InTouch system from Alltech Keenan, which can be used on any feeder wagon from any manufacturer.

Keenan say it sells 1,000 new mixer wagons per year and 60pc of them have the InTouch system installed. The system is used via the new Keenan control box and will cost a farmer around €4,000 for the technology.