Buford T. Justice XIX wrote: » No dog here with a good number of years, sadly. Still heartbroken over the last one but I'm looking at getting a pup soon if I can find one I like. The last one used bring the cows for me in the morning and evening while I was setting up the parlour. The first would be coming in the gate by the time I'd be sorted and she wouldn't come back until all the cattle were in. The neighbours cattle across the river not coming in for me to milk used bother her too, though:D I'm half thinking of a quad as well for later in the year when fences need moving and ground gets sticky for going into with the tractor.
GrasstoMilk wrote: » How many cows do you need to justify a 50 point rotary
Siamsa Sessions wrote: » Have you no dog??? Fella I milked for years ago had what I thought was a right useless oul fool of a shep. He'd lie around the shed and bark if a car came into the yard, but that seemed about as much as he did. Then I walked out for the cows one morning with him and the dog came with us. Same as yourself, the cows were lazy and slow to stand up. Next thing, the farmer said, "Speak up Bob", and the dog started barking. All the cows started standing up and walking towards the gap. I never questioned the dog's job after that!
mahoney_j wrote: » 4/500 I’d say and a strong current account !!!!
Buford T. Justice XIX wrote: » The biggest problem we have at the minute is to get the feckers standing up to bring them in. The cows were in a paddock near the yard yesterday evening so I walked down for them. Gave up and walked back for the tractor to get them standing up.:rolleyes:
straight wrote: » Glad it's not just me. Pleading with them to get them in for a full hour these mornings. I always read about milking only taking lads an hour when it takes me 2 - 3 hours to get mine in, milked, washed up and gap closed on them again.
GrasstoMilk wrote: » If you dont get paid you just land back the heifers to there owner
straight wrote: » At least you will get paid. Alot of dairy heros not very good to pay their Bill's by all accounts. Contract rearing could get messy for both parties.
straight wrote: » I'm only a small setup by today's standards and it's taking me an hour to get the cows in in the mornings these days.
trixi2011 wrote: » I don't disagree at all with you that it's a savage job probably one of the best I've seen but for the number of cows it is going to be a huge expense going forward . Alot of people talk about the labour saving element of rotarys bit don't know if there really is that much of a saving .
mahoney_j wrote: » Disagree it’s a savage job ,a lad would be happy rocking up to work there every day and you’d be proud to own it everything seems to flow well as regards stock and easy move and desperate stock etc cost a few quid granted but some just don’t want misery and hardship more power to them for going ahead with it obviously a big financial commitment but I’m sure they have there figures done
jaymla627 wrote: » If current cow numbers stayed the same, and with the rotary in, the milking process has to really become a one man operation to justify the investment in that milker gets in cows, does milking and shuts them back out, time savings wouldn’t be huge over the current set-up, where one man goes for cows, sets paddock up and another lad starts milking, would lose over half a hour here easily on long walks going for cows setting strip wire and sitting time behind cows walking them in, another 15 minutes plus extra for washing uptime with the rotary.... Its a savage set-up, but its very hard to see how its justifiable unless a full time Labour unit is been replaced by parlour
Grueller wrote: » Tis away from the volatility of beef I am trying to get. That type of cattle are the first to take a hit always. Having said all of that, that's what will happen most likely.
Panch18 wrote: » how do you mean?
awaywithyou wrote: » i wouldnt say its perfect... whole building is in the wrong place imo
GrasstoMilk wrote: » https://youtu.be/FJ8O2y01CmY Very well thought out rotary parlour. A credit to them
Panch18 wrote: » Wouldn't it be easier to ditch the sucklers and rear on some of your own bull calves to 18 months - they're doing a good trade in the marts. Don't have to worry about anybody else then
Grueller wrote: » At the mention of contract rearing. I have an outfarm that I am keeping sucklers on at the moment. I am looking for an exit strategy from sucklers and have an idea of contract rearing. The only snag is that I would want to batch them with my own heifers. I have plenty grass and housing for up to 45 on top of my own heifers. Would mixing the heifers be a deal breaker?
trixi2011 wrote: » Very impressive alright but to me it does seem a little over the top. You would wonder how many cent a litre that parlour is costing each year .
