Silo Unloader in the Roof! Are Silo’s the Future?

-WELCOME TO KIP SIEGLER FARMING! LOCATED IN MICHIGAN!
-Hello everyone and welcome to my channel! This channel is about my life as a farmer, and I hope you take the time to watch all my videos! I am a third generation dairy /crop farmer who loves what I do and want to share it with you! We farm in Michigan where we grow hay, corn, soybeans, and wheat, while milking almost 200 cows twice a day. So enjoy the videos and feel free to like, comment, and share my videos!
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IMLAY CITY, MI 48444
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Thanks for watching and the support!

[@chadpaider1009]

You are spot on Kip about the future. It's refreshing to hear a farmer think the way you do. Farming is a legacy. Wish my dad would of thought like you. I'd be milking cows instead of working in a cheese factory.

[@gregorseverkar1734]

Hey, as a big silo lover, I have been watching you since your first video, when your channel was hacked. The mistake that you have made is that you still deal with 50+ year old silos and surface driven unloaders. If you have been gradually replacing the silos with poured ones with new ring drive unloaders, your work would be much easier, safer and less labor intensive. Yes silos are harder to work with but there are farms in PA that milk 800 cows and only feed from silos. Also the way you feed with belt feeder system in far the cheapest way that you will ever get your cows fed…..no need for feed mixer etc. Wish you all best from your loyal viewer.

[@rockfarmer8095]

And you are 100% right on keeping family employed milking cows

[@stevebiddle8912]

Your vision of the future is just another example of what makes you so impressive!!

[@kenhill7105]

Kip, I'm surprised you guys didn't go to ring drive unloaders a long time ago. Alot less trouble, they never get stuck.

[@dennislang4375]

In my mind it takes a lot more labor and time to pile/pack/reclaim silage than it does to put it in an upright.

[@bobhover3863]

Another great video. You are a superstar!!! America needs more men just like you!

[@andylieffring3987]

I see advantages and disadvantages to all the storage methods. I work on a 250 cow dairy that just poured a large concrete pad for corn silage the year before last. We also have tower silos for haylage and high moisture corn. I see the advantages and disadvantages to both systems. The silos do require maintenance, but I think a lot of farms neglect their silos until something goes wrong. The pile is really nice and makes feeding faster. But there’s definitely a trade-off with all the handling and management of plastic and tires, that also is very labor intensive. Plus, there’s a lot of fuel investment in packing silage, and it requires more people to be involved in harvest. I believe that the cost aren’t really that much different in the end.

[@robbie2187]

Agbags are the way to go.Penn state did a experiment weighed every load of corn in the bunker and every ton out, the loss was unbelievable they thought someone was stealing because they couldn’t believe they lost so much and it wasn’t just spoilage.

[@johnluimes8359]

Pros and cons to every method of feed storage. It seems that all system for making good dairy feed are a lot of work. Packing bunk and covering it, then cutting away the plastic and disposing of it is not labor free either. Same goes for bags. More waste usually with piles and bunks. Everybody disses the silos but the unloaders are 40 years old vs the field equipment has changed 3 x in those years. I am surprised at the pack drive unloaders still. We had a Patz ring drive when I was a kid on the farm and it never dug itself in and kept the wall so clean you could eat off it. I admire how you have resisted change for the sake of change on your dairy and kept it simple. Wonder how your feeding system compares production wise to the TMR. I know your cost is less,

[@anthonyhengst2908]

Look at those heifers come running for that silage!! I remember we had a new unloader put in that way at the top. I was amazed the crew pulled it up and had it running in no time. Sounded colder in Michigan. The way those tractors started.

[@colorado1088]

Those heifers looked as hungry as my Lab always does.

[@jeffreyteachout1139]

Kip, i grew up in new england lots of small farms and most were poorly run. I spent my entire life working in factories and found i was never satisfied. I am now 71 and moved to North Carolina right in the heart of the agricultural area. Here i have nothing but farms around me and i love it, every chance i get i stop to talk to the farmers to see what they are growing and so on. I now know that i wish i had been working around farms all my life instead of damn factories. I sincerely wish that there were a lot more farmers like you that are creating a future for the family. Your chanel is the best, God Bless you and your family and dont ever let your vision get away from you.

[@dong9163]

Worked with uprights for years. Started by forking then after several years added silo unloaders. Hand hoisted many many parts over the years. You are correct though, the feed is excellent from them but labor intensive. I think you are heading the right direction to update, however, most readers don’t realize it’s a million dollar investment to go in that direction.

[@tomtubman]

I like how you do things around your farm !! Very nice set up

[@JohnypopnA]

Hey Kip what about building new silos? A farm in are area went away from piles and put up two 30x120 poured concrete silos. Both for corn silage said they hold a little more than 3,000 tons each. He said he was sick of the wasted feed with piles. I guess there’s a give and take with any system you go with. You guys do a great job keeping the family involved!

[@markklumpp39]

I agree Kip. For your number of cows, going to bunks for future is the best path. Keep the silos fir high moisture ear corn

[@michaelstewart8806]

Glad to see you've got a big selection of spare parts for the silos.👍 Back in business. There are quite a few dairy farms over here that pile their silage. You'll have to switch from wagons to semi dump trucks and convert a couple big horses, John Deere's, to pushers and packer's. Like you said, it won't be overnight but it can happen. You've got the dream, work on it, it'll be a whole lot easier for Lonnie and the rest of the future family farmers. We make life easier for our kids because we have the knowledge to make the change for them and they'll appreciate what you accomplished for them as you appreciate what your dad did for you. Hang in there Kip, God Bless everyone there on the Siegler Farm. 🙏

[@brucegoettemoeller5352]

Threw dozens of unloaders over the top like that back in the day at work. Tough job, don't miss it.

[@johnspinner5395]

Kip I love watching your videos you’re an inspiration for young farmers the way you and your brothers have taken Lonny under your wing and mold him into a future farmer god bless

[@victordaniels9894]

Hey Kip I'm a retired dairy farmer from Michigan enjoy your videos couldn't help but notice you were using a Maglier hand truck made here in Michigan

[@arthurross758]

@@victordaniels9894 lo

[@davidkimmel4216]

Great for the next generation. Thanks

[@rolandtaken7328]

Kip you are so spot on about the future generations. Knowing what has to be done and doing it is sometimes hard. But you on top of it. God bless and good luck in your future endeavors!!

[@mikenawrocki1837]

Kip your true farmer. You show how it is farming and the troubles you can have. I love your videos.

[@m.webber5118]

Get in the silo unloader up, brings back a lot of “?” Memories. Amazing I’m alive to tell the tale. Best of luck to you.

[@KevinBacher-s5v]

You’re a man’s man. I love your commitment to your family. I am married into five kids myself, so I do know commitment. I love watching your show, keep them coming. Kevin, Rochester, New York.

[@bigdcarmichael]

Legacy farming is where it’s at. As long as everyone is on board. Skip you are on your way. Planning the the first step. 👊🏼👊🏼

[@tuck4511]

Mr Siegler, I really enjoy watching your videos and I have great respect for you. If I was to describe you with one word it would be "Leadership".Thank you!

[@markklumpp39]

Wow that one cow was massive Kip

[@dougkaylor2528]

HANDS ON work ethic IS WHAT YOU SEE HERE . never say quit. you dont see big $$$$$ at work here, but money cant buy what you have,,, JUST PLAIN HARD WORK & DETERMATION, wish you, your farm & family the best, thanks for taking the time to make these video's to show what REAL Mom & Pop dairy farmers deal with everyday .

[@phyllishalley8972]

I was wondering when you were gonna change them silos.... can't climb them things forever... and you ARE the only one that works on them.... I hope to be around to watch all your improvements!!!!!!God bless you...❤🙏

[@grantmagnuson4883]

I love the fact that you realize what needs to be done to keep your dairy farm, functional and workable for future family members. Although 10 to 20 years from now you can be out there driving the chopper and the young ones can be hauling all the silage, even if it’s trucks and packing bunkers. When I was growing up, I was the silo unloader.

[@oddJOB7036]

We went to trenches and bags, all silos left empty, didn't regret it.

[@bobpurs]

Kip that’s some good planning and awesome to hear your planning on keeping the generations going. It is so sad to see farms go away and love hearing your planning on keeping your farm going. Agree with silos are a lot of maintenance to keep going. Take care and be safe . 👍✊

[@ronaldfeuerstein435]

Tks for sharing. Yes silos was the only way to go... at one time.. but now there is better options now days.. some good some not so good..

[@rongrace479]

Kip when I was a kid I used to climb the silos and throw down silage by hand in one silo the other one had a unloaded we had a dairy farm I was a pretty good size kid I started driving tractors when I was 7 dad died when I was 10 so we sold the farm

[@paulwasserman97]

Kip you are spot on about the future & fading out the silos. Your very unselfish and very all in future family operation. The Love you have for your family & teaching is amazing.Way to go man keep it up.👍👍🙏🙏❤️

[@randymenard8446]

Hopefully some people realize that milk just don't come only from the store. Good job on videos. Thank you for all you do.🙏

[@karolschulz48]

Strange to hear you say it was a wet year. Not on the first state west of lake Michigan. Watching you help carry that unloader motor it made me think how far you have come since getting sick. You have done a heck of a job clawing your way back. Do you think getting sick was related to anything you were exposed to while in the army? Before the family decides it wants a new parlor, think about robotic milkers. With those you could expand the herd. You are so lucky to get all those smells. The smell of first cutting, or the silage, the cows, the smell of the farm. I envy you for that , with restored health, a healthy young family, and doing what you love. Dang when you look at it that way, you are a rich man.

[@craigbowers732]

Amen Brother, you hit the nail on the head, keep up with the great content i love watching you.

[@KipSieglerFarming1]

I appreciate that

[@teespoon1750]

Great video Kip and your points a right on the mark! Well managed bunk silos, total mixed ration, modern parlor and manure management, and up to date dairy genetics are going to be necessary for success in the future! Your plns are well thought out!👍👍

[@lem1953]

Glad to hear your changing from silo to pit.

[@jeffryhauer7419]

Very impressive what you all have done and planning for the future! Keep up the good work. Take care!

[@erniezsigo3926]

100 per cent right kip on the future.our farm only went 2 generation where it would still be in operations if certain updates were bought as they came along.the farmer that bought the dirt in Central mich now has acquired 4 farms which covers 3 sections on land great video brands back a lot of farming memories for me

[@randycharest4507]

Enjoyed watching the video Kip

[@KipSieglerFarming1]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@57fitter]

Thanks for this one,Kip! It brought back a lot of memories of rebuilding and keeping an unloader working. I've admired your operation being old school and still efficient, but yes, you have to make it appealing to the next generation while figuring in longevity of equipment.

[@KipSieglerFarming1]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Travis_Rivers]

That ole 4430 is gonna enjoy her winter slumber lol

[@hiltsmash_1449]

Excited to hear of the future improvements! I think my first goal would be the parlor. The amount of time you can gain everyday speeding up milking is fantastic!

[@chrisburke848]

Thats some good forward-thinking Kip. Hopefully the rest of the family sees it the same way. Good Luck, and God Bless. Lets Go!

[@cliffbays5913]

I give you a lot of credit to be working with that parlor and those silos. We had a parlor like that in 1961 with Surge milkers. You do need to work smarter, not harder. We also had a 30 foot diameter silo (the second one in NYS). That was a treat both to fill and to feed out of. After I left that farm they put up 2 bunks (wooden sides), each 30' wide, 8' deep and 150' long. I love your videos. They definitely are a joy for an 80 year old retiree. One farm I worked on have 6 forage boxes and I thought that was a lot. God Bless and be safe.

[@jrbpa5775]

Kip , you are hitting it on the head. I would have been 4th generation dairyman, I spent first 17 years milking and calves and all that goes with a dairy. Older generation got tired of milking and got greedy when land prices went higher in the mid seventies, sold out and there was nothing for me to do but move and go a different direction. Play it smart for your children !! Thx for the video…

[@cowman709]

We had 3 harvys and 3 block silos . Took forever to feed cows . Went to a big slate pad and put up bout 17- 10ft by 300foot bags a year. love it

[@geraldfrench3287]

Good to see you have a plan and a vision. Thanks for the videos.

[@fredsquires1640]

Totally agree with you Kip. You guys deserve the benefits of the hard work your family has put into it. The change would be huge in just the increase in production, control, and efficiency. Rooting for you brother. Go get it! Let’s Go!!!

[@sparhawkable]

Now we have you archived for the future you envision. Your grandkids will look back at these and gain a better understanding of what you did and how to plan for their children’s future. Thank you!

[@kennymusselman7407]

You are thinking in the right direction I think that it will be beneficial for the FARM and FAMILY ❤

[@PaulTighe-e2n]

Great video Kip

[@dennisbelles9236]

As much as I hate to see the old silo systems go away, your right. It's got to evolve so future generations can and will want to keep farming. Too many family farms have already stopped because of this.

[@rockfarmer8095]

Glad to see it keep going ! The beautiful thing is all them changes don’t have to happen at once ! All will be great changes to make! Keep milking them cows ! Hang in there !

[@bloud5196]

All of your future suggestions were excellent. One thing we did was we bought a tmr. Dad wasn’t keen but we increased milk production to more than pay for the tmr. We have been A I since the 60’s and it pays for itself. One bad bull and it could cost you dearly. Some farmers have gone to robotic milkers but perhaps a round parlor would the answer. Who knows but I believe with careful planning and going to observe different farms, you will find the answers. Good luck.

[@dralord1307]

Robots and rotaries both have their advantages. Robots take out a lot of the work and time investment. But then you dont get to spend time with the cattle and notice their health issues as much. So you have to rely more heavily on the automated systems. Rotaries are great for milking a lot of head efficiently and pretty quickly. There is a huge cost investment though. And it still has quite a bit of time and work that goes into milking that way. Both ways really depends on the farmer and what exactly they want out of their setup I suppose.

[@gregcatlett1458]

AMEN BROTHER DO YOUR HOMEWORK IT WILL BE GREAT TO GET AWAY FROM THEM SILOS FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS. PARLOR TOO !! Thanks young man. Of course you’ll have to grow in numbers of cows to support those next generations. I’m sure you guys can do it Amen.

[@williamkemm673]

That was one of your best videos yet Kip, a person has to look at the future, I didn't do that and I'm screwed, but I'm glad you have that mind set!

[@PDBenkert]

You will need at least 3 or 4 bunks. That allows you the flexability to fill different bunks with feeds and also to have one bunk left over from the previous your to allow your feed to mature in the pile while still feeding out. You are spot on about the future. My dad was very short sighted about the farm . The farm is now probably in it's last grasp since the only one running the farm is now into his 70s and all the rest of us moved out after high school (almost 50 years ago) and the only one who was in line to take over was the 2nd youngest brother who died 3 years ago. He was in his mid 50's with no kids. All of use kids are now into our 70's, 60's and one is still in his 50's. The one in the 50's is in the worst health . The rest of us have a variety of age related illnesses. Plus being 50 years or more away from farming means we have all missed out on keeping up with the farm knowledge and experience. I sure miss working the farm!

[@jdtractorman7445]

I get what you are saying. Both of my grandparents had dairy farms. My grandfather on my mom's side of the family went to ag bags back in the mid 1990's. The two cement stave silos were then approaching 30 years old and were not in the best of shape anymore, and the unloaders were worn out as well. They put out great feed, but it is a lot of work. Change is tough at times but necessary too. It is a huge money expense as well. I went up and down my grandfather's silos a few times. It is quite the view from the top of them.

[@davidkernohan2030]

lonie needs to go agric college, milk in a few different parlours. him telling you what he wants. his goals. you be his mentor and encourager.

[@stevenicoson6670]

Thanks for another great video Kip. It was interesting and enjoyable. I totally agree with you Kip about the future. You must set things up for the next generation to follow all of you. I mentioned the pit solos before to you. That is the trend now versus the upright silo. And you hit it on the nose about updating the milking parlor and other things like that. Like you said Kip, change is never easy. But you are making good plans for the future. My compliments to you and your family for doing that. Hang in there. My family did not plan for the future many many years ago and cost me the opportunity to farm myself. I hear what you are saying. Been there done that. My compliments to you Kip. Enjoyed seeing everyone helping getting the silo unloader reset and put together. Lots of work there. But you got it all set now and working good. Nice job everyone. Compliments to all involved. Nice work. About it I guess for now. Thanks for everything Kip. You all take care and be safe. Thanks. The Iowa Farm Boy. Steve. Super video Kip talking about the future. I thought it was outstanding. Thanks.

[@gregwagner2301]

You are a smart man Kip. You have the future figured out.

[@DavidHines-wn5gf]

Thanks Kip! My father in law had a silo, never saw how it worked as he was done with cows when my wife and I got married, Dave

[@rk3739]

But tower are soooo nice once the feed starts coming out. Push a button and GO

[@keithtyson6457]

Sad but true , planning for the future , got to be done stay on track be safe

[@kenrousson8309]

My husband and I really enjoy your KZbin b Keep up with the videos miss you when you're not on 😊

[@frankg5466]

You guys do great with the old silo's, but ya, time for modernization.

[@jaygregory5511]

A worthy vision - God bless you, you're on the right track

[@mattmacdougall464]

Really curious to your future plans I hope you share you plans and the options in your videos. Currently in option mode here on our dairy. Great videos

[@lesterhertel2945]

Another very interesting video Thank you 😊😊😊😊😊

[@gallmeyer17]

You’re absolutely right Kip. If you don’t think of the future now who knows whats gonna happen

[@dougmgoblue2670]

Just from a safety factor you need to get away from silos! I look at the ladders you use and can’t help but think you guys have been very lucky!

[@Scotthobart1086]

great video! and wise words.

[@KipSieglerFarming1]

Glad you think so!

[@rdyardie]

You have some sobering thoughts about what is happening to the farm. I tend to agree with you. Time marches on. I am retired now and it seemed like the Pandemic seemed to speed up my aging process. My wife is having replacement knee surgery soon. I am next. Time waits for no one. Thank you for posting this video.

[@glenkellner9936]

Every time you climb those silo’s I cringe Kip. Your children need you. I had a accident when I was 45 and went from feeling good to feeling like an old man. Prepare because it happens.

[@stephenkeller6894]

I’d for sure eliminate the bags and get a something started for a feed pad/bunker and see how you like it and then expand it from there. You put a lot of time into those bags only to have to reload it and jockey it to the silage conveyor

[@butchmcgregorb1203]

Sound wisdom young man and yes life is like a blink of the eye I’m 82 now and my parents dad was 101 and mother was 100 when they passed they were married 81 years people ask me why I still hay I tell them because I can get living or get dying is my motto !!!!!

[@jameschapman6908]

Bunker is the way to go with TMR. You've got the heavy packi.g tractor. A blade mixing wagon and you're all set. Well plus a little concrete😊

[@michealnuss1179]

I finally had to quite climbing my 20x90 some years back. Now also my 25x40 at age 77. Running out of power.

[@terrydarow8401]

I agree Kip I c more and more of farmers going to piles silos r a lot of work and a lot of maintenance would u tear down silos or what would your plan b love u guys❤good video and love u guys

[@lestertodd4768]

Great video Kip! Thank you for all you do! You truly are a great dairy farmer!

[@johnearle6667]

We are dairy farming in Southern Ireland and silos were never used here , all grass silage and maize silage is stored in clamps and always has been , this is not meant to be in any way criticising but a lot of family run dairy farms in the USA which I watch on KZbin are very old fashioned compared to European dairy’s .

[@johnhenderson299]

Great video as always

[@KipSieglerFarming1]

Appreciate that

[@maxdionne7434]

Great job! Especially for the motor climb, you guys could have tied another rope to the motor and keep the end at the bottom to avoid it colliding with the silo and the ladder, otherwise genuine idea with the pulleys

[@hermanbishop5275]

Enjoyed the video, with silos it's always something to do

[@pammoylan2426]

It always scares me when you have to go into the silos.

[@xaviervaliente1845]

Te deseo el mejor futuro de tu granja, hay que ponerse al dia para poder ser sostenibles y que las futuras generaciones puedan trabajar lo mas comodo posible. Gracias por tus videos, son top. Un abrazo desde Catalonia

[@al15ish]

good video Kip. farm life, grow or die

[@richardvirchow2757]

You are right there is one thing do not go to computerization be cause when it goes down it will harder to get back up and running you need a manual system as well like the solo's. Although that is why they went to the bagers iff you could have all of silo's on the side instead of the bags because they are more stainable because their made out of bricks not plastic. Although you are right! Too¡ Sincerely! R.S.V.

[@ghorner11]

I'm 50 now and when I was a kid we had a motor fail near the top of the silo. My father and grandfather built some kind of pulley frame at the top in the chute and lowered it down. When they were pulling it back up the apparatus broke with the motor part way up and the whole thing came falling back down the chute. I remember my father grabbing me and throwing me up on some bags of feed away from the bottom as yoy could hear it bouncing back and forth as it was falling. Luckily they had square bales underneath it so it hit them, bounced, and rolled on to the concrete floor. Only part of the end casing broke but the motor was still good so they were able to wire the piece together to hold it.

[@johnpierce1251]

That is the job I had in my teens installing PATZ equipment with my grandfather

[@johnhoog8874]

Great video kip and your right you do need to look into the future. Your set up works extremely well but it will soon be past its expiry date.

[@DanWoelders-fd5zd]

Bunks would be a good change. You’re a pro dealing with silos but they’re absolutely a ton of work. You’d have to think about changing a good portion of equipment to which I don’t think lots of people would understand. Front unload forage boxes don’t work too well for dumping on a pile lol. At least you have the largest collection of great condition 716s Probly in the country to trade in for some tandem boxes tho that’s for sure! Love watching your channel because of the old silo systems and feed systems, awesome to see them going still but from a business standpoint and generational stand point… ya there coming to the end

[@johnpierce1251]

I was to young to get my family’s farm it got sold off I was never so lost in my life I still get up at 4am to milk the cows that aren’t there 😢

[@Arch-uu1oj]

That video deserves a double like!!!

[@danielhurrle7008]

You guys will really like the piles. It is nice not having to worry about the silo pipe plugging or climbing up and down the things. Take some tours of farms around the area with them and see what people have and would do different. When the farm switched over they toured many different set ups. Take it 1 step at a time and you guys will be thankful you did.

[@johnpierce1251]

I have great hearing and I’m not sure if it’s the camera but I hear rods knocking on that little feeder tractor