Apparatus for mixing and cutting animal feed and method of operating such an apparatus

A method of operating an apparatus for mixing and cutting animal feed, the method comprising:

• providing the apparatus including a container with a sidewall, a rotary mixing and cutting device positioned inside the container, the rotary mixing and cutting device being arranged to be driven by a motor and at least one counter element provided at the sidewall, and at least one positioning device for moving the at least one counter element between a retracted position and an inserted position,
• loading animal feed into the container;
• rotating the rotary mixing and cutting device;
• controlling the position of the at least one counter element to be in the retracted position or in the inserted position,
• determining an indication of the amount of instantaneous power consumed by the motor when driving the rotary mixing and cutting device, and
• controlling the position of at least one counter element to move the at least one counter element based on the determined indication of the amount of power consumed by the motor.