Milking parlours

crunambo

Hi. New to Boards.ie Also thinking of becoming a new entrant to dairying in 2017. Massive amount of conflicting opinion from farmers about which is the best make of parlour. Hugely varying responses towards Dairymaster in particular. Any advice?
Thanks!

cjpm

Use the search box (on top of each page) and you'll find endless pages of opinions

cjpm

Also have a read of mad to milk in the Off Season sub forum

alps

Get a fixed price service agreement for 10 years, some of these outfits take little profit on the machine and murder you on service.
Make sure of your own comfort also...pit depth, overhead pipe room and go lightweight on the clusters to save your shoulders and back....
Don't worry about the cows, they'll be fine...

And welcome to boards

jack o shea

For the love of God run a mile away from this slave labour man.

Sam Kade

jack o shea wrote: »

For the love of God run a million miles away from this slave labour man.

Fixed

_Brian

My guess is there will be cheap parlours around soon enough

The advice would need to be look at the dealers closest to where you're based. What you need is a good service and back up team who will be there quickly and you can trust their work.

Its hard to get reliable information on machine differences, quality of install, how dependable the user is, how good the service man is, how open the user is to regular servicing, all these things make or break any machine..

In a previous incarnation I installed and serviced parlours for years for an Alfa dealer but covered all makes on the go at the time.. I was servicing Alfa plants that were 25-30 years old and still milking lots of cows very well with modest service costs.

crunambo

Food for thought. Thanks for advice

DKDairy

Looking a putting in a fairly hi tech milking parlour..what are lads opinions on technology within the parlour and what to go with and what not to go with

Buford T. Justice XIX

ACRs and feeders at a minimum. You spend enough time in there so you should make is as easy as possible, within reason. I spent long enough without them and wouldn't go back.

Individual recording and ID are optional but you would want to make sure the unit can be upgraded to those you might want in the future.

Dump line possibly but for the few weeks it's in constant use has to be balanced with the larger wash volumes needed for the whole year.

Backing gate is handy, next on my list to do.

Hydraulic/pneumatic gates are handy as well as is auto drafting but can be added later as well if the parlour is set up for them.

Timmaay

Put as much or as little technology in as you like to make the job more comfortable, but the cows still got to be milked and managed by someone. Feed to yield is about the only gadget that will increase milk yield, how much of a return on investment will it give is the big question. There are farmers out there who spent 5k/10k on a 2nd hand barebones parlour who are considerably more profitable than lads who spend 150k+ on one!

DKDairy

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

ACRs and feeders at a minimum. You spend enough time in there so you should make is as easy as possible, within reason. I spent long enough without them and wouldn't go back.

Individual recording and ID are optional but you would want to make sure the unit can be upgraded to those you might want in the future.

Dump line possibly but for the few weeks it's in constant use has to be balanced with the larger wash volumes needed for the whole year.

Backing gate is handy, next on my list to do.

Hydraulic/pneumatic gates are handy as well as is auto drafting but can be added later as well if the parlour is set up for them.

Yeah going with acrs,feeder,drafting gate and squential bailing..also thinking about auto id and a heat detction system and opinions on them? Looking closely at moo monitor +

Buford T. Justice XIX

DKDairy wrote: »

Yeah going with acrs,feeder,drafting gate and squential bailing..also thinking about auto id and a heat detction system and opinions on them? Looking closely at moo monitor +

Personally, I am struggling to see a payback for the farmer on the heat detection systems. I've had 2 lots here trying to sell me some but it wouldn't be a short term need for me. I imagine there are some here with them so they would be better able to argue a case for them.

The auto-ID would interest me for auto drafting but having to install a computer in the dairy to input numbers for drafting isn't attractive to me but I will probably have them on calves in the near future.

mahoney_j

If u want a hi tech parlour go for it ,I did and never looked back ,first thing to do is go and milk in a few and talk to lads who milk in them to get there opinions and see what u like and dislike .secondly your installer ,service man and back up is the single most important aspect ,with a lot of technology u need someone within a short distance and fully up to speed on everything in it
On what I'd go for
1 acr
2 feed to yield
3 milk meters
4 good drafting

I have a dump line recycled from old parlour but would do without ,have 3 milk buckets and use them more .

mahoney_j

DKDairy wrote: »

Yeah going with acrs,feeder,drafting gate and squential bailing..also thinking about auto id and a heat detction system and opinions on them? Looking closely at moo monitor +

If using Bulls or teaser Bulls forget about heat detection system ,imo it's overpriced ,teaser,tail paint and your eyes better (and cheaper )job

DKDairy

mahoney_j wrote: »

If using Bulls or teaser Bulls forget about heat detection system ,imo it's overpriced ,teaser,tail paint and your eyes better (and cheaper )job

Id be of the opinion heat detection is suitable.for some farms like if you are trying to have a one man operation for as many cows possible and have no one else around ie father it would be of big benifit whereas in other farms you could have a son a father and a mother there so there is always someone there to look at the cows.

Have a herd of 60 suckler cows with two bulls running and kinda leave the bulls at it.

jaymla627

DKDairy wrote: »

Yeah going with acrs,feeder,drafting gate and squential bailing..also thinking about auto id and a heat detction system and opinions on them? Looking closely at moo monitor +

Your talking the guts of 200k for what your talking about for a 20 unit parlour without the building if you have the cash to hand work away but just be very careful not to leave yourself short in other areas like roadways/water systems/lime/soil fertility/reseeding etc
service costs for the above will be pretty steep to its grand paying it in a good year but the likes of this year handing out 3-5k to a dealer for servicing compared to say 1k for a bare bones 20 unit is considerable

mahoney_j

DKDairy wrote: »

Id be of the opinion heat detection is suitable.for some farms like if you are trying to have a one man operation for as many cows possible and have no one else around ie father it would be of big benifit whereas in other farms you could have a son a father and a mother there so there is always someone there to look at the cows.

Have a herd of 60 suckler cows with two bulls running and kinda leave the bulls at it.

One man show here ,my heat detection is tail paint ,teaser Bulls in after 10 days ,full bull after 6/7 weeks .cows observed at milking times only .no issues heifers natural service for a week then sync with pg after i week ,teaser in for next 3 weeks then full bull for 3 more

Nekarsulm

There ya go.


https://www.donedeal.ie/milkingparlours-for-sale/milking-parlour/13747522


They are not sequential bails, but plain locking bail.

mahoney_j

jaymla627 wrote: »

Your talking the guts of 200k for what your talking about for a 20 unit parlour without the building if you have the cash to hand work away but just be very careful not to leave yourself short in other areas like roadways/water systems/lime/soil fertility/reseeding etc
service costs for the above will be pretty steep to its grand paying it in a good year but the likes of this year handing out 3-5k to a dealer for servicing compared to say 1k for a bare bones 20 unit is considerable

14 unit fully serviced including liners for 1800 per year lots of toys

farmertipp

mahoney_j wrote: »

14 unit fully serviced including liners for 1800 per year lots of toys

Would you find acrs a benefit in 14 unit?

mahoney_j

farmertipp wrote: »

Would you find acrs a benefit in 14 unit?

100% yes

DKDairy

They are not sequential bails, but plain locking bail.[/quote]

Have plain bailing lock in since the early 90s but squential looks a great job

Timmaay

mahoney_j wrote: »

If u want a hi tech parlour go for it ,I did and never looked back ,first thing to do is go and milk in a few and talk to lads who milk in them to get there opinions and see what u like and dislike .secondly your installer ,service man and back up is the single most important aspect ,with a lot of technology u need someone within a short distance and fully up to speed on everything in it
On what I'd go for
1 acr
2 feed to yield
3 milk meters
4 good drafting

I have a dump line recycled from old parlour but would do without ,have 3 milk buckets and use them more .

I've 3 dump buckets here also, but no dumpline. A dumpline would cost something like 5k, whereas I can get 4 dump buckets with theirown cluster and pulsation, with taps on each unit in the vacuum line to connect them to, and that will be about 2k all in. Best of both worlds in my view, I get to separate beastings, no reuse of high scc/antibiotic clusters, no need to have a dumpline sitting there been washed every day even if it's not used. The one drawback is I still gotta lift the milk out of the pit ha.

I'd definitely consider an auto drafter, but 10k alot of cash, shame its not in TAMS, I would certainly consider it an item that will improve h&s on a farm, less handling of animals etc.

Mooooo

Go for the drafting or the dumpline, drafting would have more use. When a lot of cows coming out you can draft em out and milk last thru the machine instead of messing with buckets. Tbh I would like a dump line but with winter milk would have more use for it. Buckets are grand but carrying and emptying 20kgs of milk out of the pit won't be great for the joints or back
Other than that as the lads said go out and have a look at places for me no 1 would be feeders and acrs, everything else is aprons preference. Design entrance and exits right and Cowfold should be grand and locate it where it'll be easy to buffer feed in times of low growth poor weather etc. Crossbred or high yielding that'll be needed. All these extras cost money si get farmer opinion in the return not the salesman. Oh yeah auto washer is another thing I should have stuck in, be grand to turn out the cows and go

yewtree

Put in basic parlour a few years ago due to capital constraints. 14 unit no acrs, pig fèeders, no drafting, no dump line. It works grand will probably put in drafting next year hopefully. Return on investment on some of the extras isn't great when you compare it to roadways and reseeding

Jexbullcalf

And here was I thinking that the bubble has burst!!!

If you want to make money from farming... sell something to farmers😭😭😭

awaywithyou

yewtree wrote: »

Put in basic parlour a few years ago due to capital constraints. 14 unit no acrs, pig fèeders, no drafting, no dump line. It works grand will probably put in drafting next year hopefully. Return on investment on some of the extras isn't great when you compare it to roadways and reseeding

Have a few bits and bobs in parlour here....... But nothing is more important than a drafting system... I'd do without most other stuff but not drafting....

Sam Kade

Nekarsulm wrote: »

There ya go.


https://www.donedeal.ie/milkingparlours-for-sale/milking-parlour/13747522


They are not sequential bails, but plain locking bail.

That's a fairly shabby looking parlour.

This seems a right good bargain only 8 unit though but it includes heat detection system with 60 collars.

https://www.donedeal.ie/milkingparlours-for-sale/dairy-equipment-whole-package/13663536

Chuchote

I love the term 'milking parlour', always imagine it with a couch and those table lamps with burgundy-coloured frilly lampshades.

Buford T. Justice XIX

Chuchote wrote: »

I love the term 'milking parlour', always imagine it with a couch and those table lamps with burgundy-coloured frilly lampshades.

And a fire in the corner.....oh sh!t, the vaccuum pump's on fire:eek:

kowtow

Chuchote wrote:

I love the term 'milking parlour', always imagine it with a couch and those table lamps with burgundy-coloured frilly lampshades.

The better parlour suppliers will be pleased to accommodate you on these items.

GrasstoMilk

https://youtu.be/PawiVCBxfCY

Nice looking set up
If only we could afford it

Buford T. Justice XIX

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

https://youtu.be/PawiVCBxfCY

Nice looking set up
If only we could afford it

That's belonging to a neighbour of mine, nice job alright.

Tail painter

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

ACRs and feeders at a minimum. You spend enough time in there so you should make is as easy as possible, within reason. I spent long enough without them and wouldn't go back.

Individual recording and ID are optional but you would want to make sure the unit can be upgraded to those you might want in the future.

Dump line possibly but for the few weeks it's in constant use has to be balanced with the larger wash volumes needed for the whole year.

Backing gate is handy, next on my list to do.

Hydraulic/pneumatic gates are handy as well as is auto drafting but can be added later as well if the parlour is set up for them.

I agree with putting in feeders. Batch feeders here for 15 years. They work well in a compact calving as cows are always fed the same. As for ACR's, I cant see the point. 24 units here, one operator. 240 cows milked and washed up in 2 hours 10mins. No issues Average SCC for last 5 years is around 100,000. ACR's would cost €20k plus. Where is the return on investment? I would spend that money on drafting. It would save time.

mahoney_j

Tail painter wrote: »

I agree with putting in feeders. Batch feeders here for 15 years. They work well in a compact calving as cows are always fed the same. As for ACR's, I cant see the point. 24 units here, one operator. 240 cows milked and washed up in 2 hours 10mins. No issues Average SCC for last 5 years is around 100,000. ACR's would cost €20k plus. Where is the return on investment? I would spend that money on drafting. It would save time.

Fair play if U can keep clusters on.off cows on 24 unit without any over milking on your own .imagine how quick you'd be if u had acrs !!!!.milking isn't a race

farmerjj

Tail painter wrote: »

I agree with putting in feeders. Batch feeders here for 15 years. They work well in a compact calving as cows are always fed the same. As for ACR's, I cant see the point. 24 units here, one operator. 240 cows milked and washed up in 2 hours 10mins. No issues Average SCC for last 5 years is around 100,000. ACR's would cost €20k plus. Where is the return on investment? I would spend that money on drafting. It would save time.

+1

Buford T. Justice XIX

Tail painter wrote: »

I agree with putting in feeders. Batch feeders here for 15 years. They work well in a compact calving as cows are always fed the same. As for ACR's, I cant see the point. 24 units here, one operator. 240 cows milked and washed up in 2 hours 10mins. No issues Average SCC for last 5 years is around 100,000. ACR's would cost €20k plus. Where is the return on investment? I would spend that money on drafting. It would save time.

The return for me is in a nice peaceful relaxed milking at this time of year without running up and down the parlour trying to get clusters changed across.

Whatever floats your boat tbh.

trixi2011

mahoney_j wrote: »

Tail painter wrote: »

I agree with putting in feeders. Batch feeders here for 15 years. They work well in a compact calving as cows are always fed the same. As for ACR's, I cant see the point. 24 units here, one operator. 240 cows milked and washed up in 2 hours 10mins. No issues Average SCC for last 5 years is around 100,000. ACR's would cost 20k plus. Where is the return on investment? I would spend that money on drafting. It would save time.

Fair play if U can keep clusters on.off cows on 24 unit without any over milking on your own .imagine how quick you'd be if u had acrs !!!!.milking isn't a race

sure cluster removers would slow you down.

Tail painter

We don't run up and down the parlour at any time of the year. There is overmilking but it does not seem to do any harm. My experience with ACRs in other parlours is that did not save either time or effort, so I didn't put them in. If you are worried about overmilking when cows are milking quickly towards the end of lactation, then don't use all the units!

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

The return for me is in a nice peaceful relaxed milking at this time of year without running up and down the parlour trying to get clusters changed across.

Whatever floats your boat tbh.

kowtow

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

The return for me is in a nice peaceful relaxed milking at this time of year without running up and down the parlour trying to get clusters changed across.

Whatever floats your boat tbh.

If you happen to have jars, can you use cluster removers as a handy place to store the cluster and get rid of the metal drops with the hooks that seek out and catch milking overalls?

Would be a tidier pit, especially if the clusters could spend the night upside down on overhead cluster washers.

Buford T. Justice XIX

kowtow wrote: »

If you happen to have jars, can you use cluster removers as a handy place to store the cluster and get rid of the metal drops with the hooks that seek out and catch milking overalls?

Would be a tidier pit, especially if the clusters could spend the night upside down on overhead cluster washers.

If the clawpiece isn't level or close enough to level, you won't get even washing of the clawpiece with milk residue left build up on the highest part of the bowl. So you will still have to use the hooks to wash.

And the cluster is held up off the ground by vaccuum so they will fall down as soon as the machine is switched off. Tbh, I don't even notice the hooks at this stage, you will get into a movement routine that will take you well clear of catching the bits in the pit.

Or you can get an overalls that fits:D

Mooooo

Only extra I have here are feeders and a vari speed pump. where acrs would be most beneficial is when there are fresh cows and other such types to deal with as opposed to the end of the lactation when things would be smoother anyway. I know one fella with 30 units and no acrs but on his own he may only use 24 or 26 units each row but in spring there may well be 2 or 3 in the pit. One could argue if you weren't gonna use the last few units a smaller number of units would be the way to go to save bobs. It's when calving and breeding and cows going in and out of sheds when these things would be handiest imo

Sam Kade

Tail painter wrote: »

We don't run up and down the parlour at any time of the year. There is overmilking but it does not seem to do any harm. My experience with ACRs in other parlours is that did not save either time or effort, so I didn't put them in. If you are worried about overmilking when cows are milking quickly towards the end of lactation, then don't use all the units!

We? I thought you said you were one operator? I don't know about you but I know with 100 cows and 12 units without cluster removers you'd be kept on your toes while milking.

Tail painter

Sam Kade wrote: »

We? I thought you said you were one operator? I don't know about you but I know with 100 cows and 12 units without cluster removers you'd be kept on your toes while milking.

When I say 'we', I mean whoever is milking. I never said it was a one man unit, I said one milking. If you need ACRs for 100 cows and 12 units, you should go see someone who is doing more than you and see what is different.

Water John

Why is this a race? Do what your comfortable doing. Always remember you need a system that a third party can step into while your not there or have an accident or illness.
It has to be comfortable, that's the point.
PS I don't milk cows now, sucklers, but have stepped in for a neighbour who got injured recently.

alps

Water John wrote: »

Why is this a race? Do what your comfortable doing. Always remember you need a system that a third party can step into while your not there or have an accident or illness.
It has to be comfortable, that's the point.
PS I don't milk cows now, sucklers, but have stepped in for a neighbour who got injured recently.

Good to have neighbours like that...valuable point rear replacement.

Sam Kade

Tail painter wrote: »

When I say 'we', I mean whoever is milking. I never said it was a one man unit, I said one milking. If you need ACRs for 100 cows and 12 units, you should go see someone who is doing more than you and see what is different.

You said 24 units one operator. I never said you need ACR's for 12 units, I said you'd be kept on your toes.

Water John

Well if you make the job like slave labour, no family will step into your shoes in time.

Panch18

The question I would have is how can 240 cows not afford to have 24 cluster removers at a cost of what 20k???

ACR's are a no brainier in my opinion. They shouldn't even be classified as an option!

farmerjj

Tail painter I,d give up explaining some people have blinkers on and cant/wont see things any other way but there way.