Apparatus and method for preloading a plurality of feed types of a feed mix for livestock and method for preparing feed mixes

A method for loading feed types of a feed mix for livestock, the method comprising the steps of:

• selectively loading one or more of the feed types from one or more bunkers directly or indirectly in a mixer for preparing the feed mix;
• wherein at least one of the feed types is directly or indirectly loaded in the mixer as a supplemental portion of a main component of the feed mix, in particular of a roughage type, loaded into the mixer with a loading vehicle, wherein the loading is controlled such that a weight of the main portion and a weight of the supplemental portion add up to a programmed weight of the main component.

A method for preloading one or more feed types of a feed mix for livestock, the method comprising the steps of:

• selectively discharging one of the feed types each from one or more bunkers onto a loading conveyor and conveying the one or more feed types on the loading conveyor towards a mixer for preparing the feed mix, wherein the discharging and conveying of the feed type/types is controlled by a computer program holding a preloading plan of a preloading cycle, following at least a weight of the feed type/types required in the feed mix, wherein the computer program sequentially moves dump spots of the loading conveyor under the bunker/bunkers and individually controls the discharge of the feed type/types from the bunker/bunkers onto the dump spots, depending on the preloading plan, and wherein the computer program terminates the preloading cycle when a predetermined total weight of the required feed type/types is reached, or interrupts the preloading cycle when a maximum preloading capacity of the loading conveyor is reached or feed reaches a downstream end of the loading conveyor, and starts the transport of the preloaded feed type/types together towards the mixer, in particular following a demand signal from the mixer, calling for the feed type/types.