Case study: Three pumps at three properties

Keeping seasonal feeding simple in the Central Highlands

• Three properties at Emerald, Capella and Middlemount

• More than 2000 head of cattle

• Seasonal feeding of molasses-based products

Across the downs and softwood scrub country of Queensland’s Central Highlands, Phil Peacock manages a cattle operation, running Wagyu cows, calves and weaners.

The operation uses M8U, Molafos and other supplements, depending on what’s available, to keep cattle in strong condition through dry periods.

Phil said product was bought and stored when supply was abundant and pricing was favourable, so it was on hand when needed.

A petrol-drive Rotoflo molasses gear pump with pump cover and fill point, by Ballard Industrial.

With seasonal feeding taking place across the different properties, having a reliable pump at each location helps keep things simple and makes feeding easier to manage.

Phil bought his first 50mm (2”) Rotoflo petrol-drive molasses pump for PRW Pastoral in June 2023. Two years later, he bought another pump for a second property, this time in the larger 80mm (3”) size. The following year, another 3” Rotoflo was installed at a third property to support drought feeding.

For Phil, keeping things simple was important. The system needed to be straightforward enough that anyone on each farm could operate it.

“They work well. There’s no need to connect and disconnect hoses every time. We turn the key, open the tap and away we go. It’s foolproof.”

The second Rotoflo molasses pump (pictured) is still going strong. When the third pump was purchased, the customer added a cover to protect it from the elements.

Three years and counting

The first Rotoflo pump has now been in service for more than three years and is still being used regularly.

“It’s in use right now as we speak. It’s still going really good. We haven’t had to do any work to it. They’re a reliable unit.”

Rotoflo petrol pumps are a turn-key molasses pumping system.