FINLAYSON
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Faster and easier Apart from university and an OE, Ken’s been farming his whole life. Today 330 hectares runs 750 Friesians in two mobs, milked in the new dairy. “The size of the land has prompted the new build,” says Ken. “Our old shed was limiting the number of cows we could milk.” And his larger-than-normal cows brought about extra consideration. “We’ve actually got a 60-bail rotary platform with 54 bails because of our big Friesians.” “But what we were trying to capture was efficient cow flow and a one-person operation.” Milking was previously via an old 29-aside herringbone. “But we were struggling to pass components with Fonterra – and the yard was getting to small.” The new dairy was built in May 2015. The first cows were milked by September. “So we calved most cows through the old shed, then transitioned.” Contractor Murray Smith has worked for Ken’s family for 40 years and excavated the site. “This is the third cow shed in the same place – so it must be the perfect place.”
Cow flow design Murray Smith also carved a new tanker track and increased the effluent pond from 3000m3 to 7000m3. Ken sourced shed plans from John Perrin at Reporoa Engineering, who supplied a HERDFLOW backing gate with a Dungbuster. Ken says the chief consideration in design was to capture good cow flow, particularly at platform entry/ exit. “John’s design captured this very well,” says Ken. Ken got Dairy Build to construct the shed, with
Ken and Mary Finlayson have farmed a family farm at Ngararatunua, Northland, since 1993.
Coast & Country
Finlayson
owners Matthew and Jewel Sidford having a very good reputation. Jewel says it took three months to build. “Steel fabrication for the roof was done in our workshop prior,” says Jewel. “We did all planning and designwork and organised all subcontractors for the job. “I think that’s’ what Ken and Mary liked. Matthew took on all of that. They didn’t have to worry,” says Jewel. There’s extra space around the platform, and four corners for a vet stand, staffroom/office, wash system and milkroom. An extra span provides all-weather shelter to the operator and a raised roof vent offers good air circulation. Dairy Build specialises in farm buildings, sheds, feed pads and consists of Matthew, Jewel and two staff. “This means we have low overheads and that translates to smaller costs to famers,” says Jewel. “It also means Matthew is on the job all the time. From every little nook and cranny – from ‘go to wo’ – he knows what’s going on.” Jewel says Matthew had an agricultural construction company in England. “And he comes from a dairy farming family, so he can talk to famers and ascertain their needs – he’s on their wavelength.” Ken chose a Waikato Milking System plant and platform “because we had the brand in our old shed”.
Ken Finlayson’s new shed sits proudly as the third dairy that’s been placed on the same site.
Looking from the yard into the new dairy, which has a 60-bail platform with 54 roomy bails.
Reliable gear “I got three quotes for plants but I spoke to many people and they suggested Waikato’s gear was simple and more reliable,” says Ken.
www.
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Waikato Milking Systems Northland sales manager Gary Feeney, electrician Kevin Trumper, Dairy Build co-owner Jewel Sidford, Kensington Refrigeration engineer Justin Storey, farm owner Ken Finlayson and excavation contractor Murray Smith.