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ROSEMOUNT DAIRY
Coast & Country
Sustainability meets profitability Sustainability and profitability go hand-in-hand in the Dickies’ labour, energy and water efficient new dairy shed. Based in Waverley, South Taranaki, the new 60 bail rotary has a sister shed at the other end of the 760 hectare farm, with each dairy servicing about 1000 cows. At one point, the Dickies were milking 1700 cows through a single 54-bail rotary, and the longest walk to the shed was just over 4km. These were the main reasons behind the new build, says farm owner Will Dickie. Equally important was developing the dairy in a way that was both sustainable and profitable, says Will. “Our family company has been involved in forest and farm investments for more than 30 years now. “Being foresters we have a strong affinity for timber products and sustainability. When we took to building this shed, we wanted it to reflect these values. “Developing a sustainable farm means our cows are fully fed and happy, our staff have a nice place to work in each day, and our farm is maximising profitability – and, this in turns keeps us as farm owners happy.”
Sophisticated automation So the cows could be milked at either of the farm’s two sheds, Will went with a GEA NZ Farm Technologies milking system at both dairies so data about cow and herd performance could be easily accessed regardless of milking location.
The shed’s GEA WestfaliaSurge Dairyplan C21 herd management system puts detailed, quality information about milk yield, animal health and much more at milkers’ and managers’ fingertips. “The system helps farmers make better decisions,” says Cameron Claridge of GEA Farm Technologies. For instance, data about milk conductivity is captured as each cow is milked – and if it’s outside the preset parameters, the animal is automatically drafted. Milk yield can be examined in relation to a cow’s weight to support decisions about culling. As well as collecting and reporting data about the herd performance, the shed features a raft of labour-saving devices. The WestfaliaSurge Compass Plus onetouch global wash control means washing the plant is as easy as pressing a button on a single set of cups. And vacuum starts as soon as the cups are picked up – no buttons to push or unclipping required. The WestfaliaSurge concrete platform, which has no central pit, is a very low maintenance option, says Cameron. “It moves on nylon rollers that are spaced 600mm apart, has no bearings to replace and no steel on steel. Even fully loaded the point loading is low, which makes the platform very responsive.” The high level of automation in this shed meant installation was a large job. Installing and testing the milking equipment alone took six weeks.
Rosemont Dairy
Farm manager Glen How, sharemilker Dion Soutar, farm owner Will Dickie and Agfirst Engineering consultant Davieth Verheij at the effluent pond which supplies water for the farm’s floodwash system.
The dairy, including elevated green water tanks for floodwash. Tru Test DTS area sales manager Nick Callingham in front of one of three standard DX chiller units fitted with vertical fans for improved heat discharge.
GEA Rotary Milking Systems At GEA we provide a comprehensive and innovative range of rotary milking systems to suit your farm requirements and budget. To speak with your local milking equipment specialist call 0800 GEA FARM (0800 432 327)
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