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MANGAPOUA FARMS
Page 103
Time and savings tackled in South Taranaki The high runner backing gate from Michael Bloemen Engineering self-corrects its own alignment allowing the gate to run very smoothly.
Mangapoua Farms
Looking from the exit race toward the shed. All steelwork in the yard was completed by Michael Bloemen Engineering. Elite Farm Solutions’ Nigel Robinson says everything from getting the silos on-site to getting them up and running was managed by his company, which “worked hard to make the install as hassle-free as possible”. In the Johnston dairy, a small water sprayer installed at the base of the platform helps keep the platform skirt clean during milking. And because of the spray direction, it also keeps the walls and concrete floors wet during milking so muck is doesn’t stick so readily, says Cameron. “It’s only a small thing but it saves time at washdown, which is great.” Cameron says the Acraflex coating does such a great job at keeping the walls clean they only need a thorough clean once every couple of months. Other than that, he says hosing the walls off at washdown “generally does the trick”. The wall treatment – Acraflex – is supplied by Specialised Coatings and is so robust and
Kevin Johnston’s dog ready for action. hardwearing it is offered as a standard feature on Fabish and Jackson’s OctaLock sheds, says application specialist Frits van Echten from Surfatex. Completing the electrical wiring for the new diary was the job of Mark Frost Electrical. Wiring up dairy sheds is second nature for the team, who as well as servicing numerous dairy farms in the region also undertake several diary shed installs each year.
Efficient design On a visit to another shed to look at milking plant options, Cameron and Kevin were impressed with the layout and design of the dairy building itself and asked the farm owner for the builder’s details. This led them to choose the unique octagonal-shaped Fabish and Jackson Octa-Lock dairy. The fact that there is no wasted space in the shed was appealing to the Johnstons. Plenty of
natural light from the shed’s many windows, as well as large double doors that help airflow, are also part of what Cameron likes about the shed design. While the building footprint for the dairy parlour is smaller than a more traditional square or rectangular parlour for a platform of comparable size, Cameron says “it feels spacious”. The overall shed design doesn’t compromise on features and includes everything you’d expect in a new dairy: an office, kitchen, toilet, pump room, storage and electrical room; and even a compact foyer for hanging wet-weather gear. Shed construction is also very quick with the building erected in just six weeks, and the concrete races, yard and feed pads finished later. The shed just looks great, says Cameron, who points out the varnished wood rafters. And overall Cameron and father Kevin are
BailGate straps from Waikato Milking Systems are one of the features of the new 60-bail rotary. very pleased with their choice of building, and found Fabish and Jackson great to work with. “They were very easy to communicate with. When things arose that they needed to change, they were approachable. Overall, a great team to work with,” says Cameron.
In the yard AgriMat Kura from Numat is installed on the bridge, offering cows a safer and more comfortable entry and exit from the platform. Secured by stainless steel anchors, the mat is hard wearing and expected to last for at least 30 years. Concrete for the new dairy’s rectangular yard, which fits up to 600 cows, was laid by builders Fabish and Jackson. And all the yard steelwork was completed by local firm Michael Bloemen Engineering, which also manufactured and fitted the high runner backing gate.