S5 Farms hay travels around the world, thanks to Merlo

S5 Farms

Although Doug Stanko spends much of his time tending to his hay, few people know that he is no ordinary producer. From his S5 Farms in Lomond, Alberta, he stacks his hay bales, loads them onto semi-trucks, or stores them in his barn, waiting to ship them around the world. The 2,500-acre farm, which has been owned by the Stanko family since 1961, has been exporting its products to countries such as Japan and China for 25 years. Recently, the addition of a Merlo telescopic tractor to their arsenal has allowed them to further maximize their efficiency.

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DU CANADA AU JAPON

Stanko's daily operations are fairly routine for farmers, especially in Alberta's famous “Feedlot Alley,” a region known for producing 60% of Canada's beef. However, Stanko's hay is among the best on the market. After all, not all farmers have a product that is so sought after, especially abroad.

The timothy grass from this family farm is exported to feed livestock, particularly in Japan, where it provides the necessary fiber for the animals. Stanko even had the opportunity to visit Japan to see how his hay is used there!

To ensure the sustainability of their product, they must be able to grow, dry, stack, and ship their hay as efficiently as possible. Their Merlo telescopic tractor is used almost constantly to keep the farm running smoothly.

“It's our super-utility machine,” says Stanko. “The features and versatility of the Multifarmer or TurboFarmer models make them great tools that instantly increase the productivity of operations. We are able to move 1,000 bales a day from our field to our barn, which is located a few miles away. It's not at all difficult to handle 180 bales an hour with this machine.”

 

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CONFORT ET DOUCEUR DE CONDUITE POUR TRAVAILLER PLUS LONGTEMPS

Despite the machine's speed, Stanko and his family have to work long hours. One of the main attractions of Merlo telehandlers for Stanko was the comfort of the cab, ensured in particular by its suspension system.

“Merlo's suspension cab makes the day much more enjoyable,” explains Stanko. “We use it for almost everything, simply because of how smooth it is to drive. Few tractors have such good suspension. You don't really appreciate the support it provides until you've driven another machine.”

A FAMILY OF FIVE NEEDS THE BEST EQUIPMENT

When it comes to stacking hay, precision and speed are essential, especially for a family farm like S5 Farms. Doug's two daughters and son-in-law are all very involved in the hay operation. They know how to operate the Merlo, and they all use it frequently.

“We absolutely need good equipment. There are only five of us, so our machines have to be of the highest possible quality. The Merlo's precision is so good that we almost take it for granted. It's like air conditioning—you don't realize how comfortable it is until you don't have it,” Stanko points out.

INNOVATE = BE REWARDED

Stanko and his team don't hesitate to implement innovative solutions to optimize their operations or seek productivity gains.

“Lots of people do things the normal way, but that's not how you get rewarded. You get rewarded when you do things differently.” "

 

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