Water Set Up for Dairy Farm

NewFarmer2021

Hi all,

Just trying to get some suggestions for a good initial set-up for water for a dairy farm before we start on upgrading troughs, pipes, etc..

Right now there is a well (which is a bit unreliable and not regularly tested) and a water scheme (which can be expensive if undetected leaks, etc).

The water flows off quite a distance in different directions to some of the paddocks for drinking.

What I'd like to do is have;
- the option of multiple feeds coming into the parlour that can be controlled.
- get the water to where its needed in the parlour as easily as possible
- be sure that the water washing the machine and tanks is clean.
- be able to turn off the water going different directions when not in use or to allow a check for leaks.
- re-use the water where possible
- have a buffer supply for the parlour and for drinking water in case the well runs low

Any recommended suggestions for putting all the above together to reduce water waste and have a reliable set-up would be great.

GrasstoMilk

NewFarmer2021 wrote: »

Hi all,

Just trying to get some suggestions for a good initial set-up for water for a dairy farm before we start on upgrading troughs, pipes, etc..

Right now there is a well (which is a bit unreliable and not regularly tested) and a water scheme (which can be expensive if undetected leaks, etc).

The water flows off quite a distance in different directions to some of the paddocks for drinking.

What I'd like to do is have;
- the option of multiple feeds coming into the parlour that can be controlled.
- get the water to where its needed in the parlour as easily as possible
- be sure that the water washing the machine and tanks is clean.
- be able to turn off the water going different directions when not in use or to allow a check for leaks.
- re-use the water where possible
- have a buffer supply for the parlour and for drinking water in case the well runs low

Any recommended suggestions for putting all the above together to reduce water waste and have a reliable set-up would be great.

Michael white water pumps or terra services are the best ppl to talk to
They are expensive but do a brilliant job
You would pick up alot off them just from a visit which would help going about it on your own if you wanted to

NewFarmer2021

Hi Grass to Milk.
Thanks for this. Had a look at their sites and seems a good shout.
Will give them a call.

1373

NewFarmer2021 wrote: »

Hi all,

Just trying to get some suggestions for a good initial set-up for water for a dairy farm before we start on upgrading troughs, pipes, etc..

Right now there is a well (which is a bit unreliable and not regularly tested) and a water scheme (which can be expensive if undetected leaks, etc).

The water flows off quite a distance in different directions to some of the paddocks for drinking.

What I'd like to do is have;
- the option of multiple feeds coming into the parlour that can be controlled.
- get the water to where its needed in the parlour as easily as possible
- be sure that the water washing the machine and tanks is clean.
- be able to turn off the water going different directions when not in use or to allow a check for leaks.
- re-use the water where possible
- have a buffer supply for the parlour and for drinking water in case the well runs low

Any recommended suggestions for putting all the above together to reduce water waste and have a reliable set-up would be great.

An unreliable well and a water scheme, both a big no-no for dairying. Might need to start at that

Water John

If you've water under the ground, it's the cheapest by far.
If the water and electricity can be on the highest point on the farm the better. You could also have a storage tank there and fill it using night rate. I would put a UV light on the raw water line. Not too dear and just change the bulb, once a a year.
This gives insurance against the well getting any pollution. It's also disinfected water entering the pipe system.

NewFarmer2021

Cheers WaterJohn

Its been suggested to take the wellwater straight to the parlour and have a 12/15k litre tank after the plate cooler with two pumps.
One for the paddock system and one for the parlour wash-out.
Would reduce waste but I'd wonder about what the electricity costs of this would be.

The big question with the above is having enough of a flow in the first place for the plate cooler.
Sounds like a tank, filled off night rate electricity, earlier would be an idea for this.

May need to put in a new well but trying to work with what we have first.

have2flushtwice

I might be waaaaay off the mark here, and little knowledge of dairy processes, .... but the plate cooler running costs, is it refrigerant gas? Could the incoming water be run through a heat exchanger to cool the milk? Water then runs onto buffer tanks or troughs for end use. The water is cool underground.

Water John

Plate cooler is a simple heat exchanger. Using the water a second time to hose down the parlour and yard is fine. Not sure about sending it to paddocks as it's warmed and an ideal medium for bacteria to multiply.