Rotary milking parlour

brainbox

Right we currently have a 10 unit herringbone parlour, but are considering upgrading. We are strongly thinking of putting in a rotary parlour, but don't know much about them and know nobody around with one.
Does anybody have one or have experience with them??
Or whats the best makes to consider looking into??
Or whats the major advantages or disadvantages or having them??
Also whats the smallest unit rotary you can get??
All replies appreciated thanks in advance!

Timmaay

How many cows?? They are seriously expensive, thats about all I know ha. There was a decent thread about them started by "milk profit" afew weeks back.

Sam Kade

20 bail rotary would be the smallest.

bt12

would need 300+ cows to justify, would go for 50 unit anything smaller cows will be going around twice, serious way of milking cows main disadvantage is cost.

yellow50HX

They are a serious bit of kit alright. There a couple near here but these are for herds over 300 cows.

How many cows are you planning to go to?

brainbox

Currently have 150, and as it stands we cant expand our existing parlour were it is, unless we are going to put in a 10/ 10 double up system. So if we are going to put in a new parlour we want something long term could go to 250 or more just as a rough estimate.
And at the minute its taking a little over 2 hrs with a 10 unit..

brainbox

Currently have 150, and as it stands we cant expand our existing parlour were it is, unless we are going to put in a 10/ 10 double up system. So if we are going to put in a new parlour we want something long term could go to 250 or more just as a rough estimate.
And at the minute its taking a little over 2 hrs with a 10 unit..
Was hoping you could get a rotary in a 20/ 25 unit. Think its more effecient way of milking everything moving the whole time.
How much would they be?

brainbox

Currently have 150, and as it stands we cant expand our existing parlour were it is, unless we are going to put in a 10/ 10 double up system. So if we are going to put in a new parlour we want something long term could go to 250 or more just as a rough estimate.
And at the minute its taking a little over 2 and a half hrs with a 10 unit..
Was hoping you could get a rotary in a 20/ 25 unit. Think its more effecient way of milking everything moving the whole time.
How much would they be?

Timmaay

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=95266233 I'd be looking at a 24unit instead 2bh.

yellow50HX

If your really serious about them then I would go and see a few and try a few different companies. One near here does 300 cows with one in little over an hour.

However upgrading the parlour is only part of it, holding yard and slurry storage also need to taken into account.

bt12

50 unit including shed backing gate
parlour fairly top spec and all services round 500k

trixi2011

brainbox wrote: »

Currently have 150, and as it stands we cant expand our existing parlour were it is, unless we are going to put in a 10/ 10 double up system. So if we are going to put in a new parlour we want something long term could go to 250 or more just as a rough estimate.
And at the minute its taking a little over 2 hrs with a 10 unit..
Was hoping you could get a rotary in a 20/ 25 unit. Think its more effecient way of milking everything moving the whole time.
How much would they be?

a 24 unit herring bone will be a way better investment than putting in a 20 unit rotary. once you build a rotary you can never extend it at least with the herring bone you can. have worked in quite a few and would be of the opinion that your are wasting your time with anything smaller than a 54 bale.

grazeaway

trixi2011 wrote: »

a 24 unit herring bone will be a way better investment than putting in a 20 unit rotary. once you build a rotary you can never extend it at least with the herring bone you can. have worked in quite a few and would be of the opinion that your are wasting your time with anything smaller than a 54 bale.

Would agree with that. Brownes put in the 1st rotary around year about 15 years ago and reckon it was too small after they went mad with the cows. Considering the cost the new build 24 might be better. Either way you are going to be using big money. I would say get in the car and see as many places as you can over the summer and try to pick fellas brains.

No point going big for the sake of it and the realising it's too big.

sucklerlover

Went to a farm walk to see one and it's a serious piece of kit. It was a 50 unit and he was milking about 200. If he wanted to go up another 50 cows it only meant another 10 min milking.
The bigger the parlour the wider the shed and that means big steel girders which I'd say is a big cost onto the parlour. From memory I think the shed was 80ft clear span and there was what looked like 20inch girders.
I don't milk cows but anyone I know who has milked in one said they were the bees knees. 300 odd cows in an hour ish is fair goin for 1 man.
If your paying a man is there a saving here versus a smaller parlour.