dar31 wrote: » Both are a great saving on time with the drafting being the most important We run all the antiobitic cows as a seperate batch in shed/field and milk last even though we have dump line as well At the iga the hylands milked all the antibiotic cows on the home farm separate to the main herd
Greengrass1 wrote: » At the IGA open day neither farm had dumplines in there parlours. And both farms calving a lot if cows quickly. I'm just wondering would I be as well do the same as them. Put in a good drafting system and draft out fresh cows and milk at end? I need a system any way. Its a balls holding all the cows at breeding and trying to separate cows on your own. . I don't think a dumpline is worth the price
mahoney_j wrote: » It is for a few weeks in spring ,save a lot of time and lugging around tubs of milk from pit and trying to seperate cows and hold them back till last, Drafting is very handy also for simillar reasons but lies idle for a lot of year too.could u recycle the old lines jar and pump from old parlour and use them.thatcwould save a lot. Investing in both for a simple one man spring operation would be mobey well spent.both would be very beneficial at different times of the year and save time in parlour.dont get too hung up on what u see or hear at open days.take bits and pieces away and apply to your own place.usually those big operators can afford to have hired help full time in spring etc whereas your typical 100 cow man should be able to run it on his own and in your and mine case with help of father.parlour gadgets have a very valid place in farms like ur and mine
Greengrass1 wrote: » I'm looking at the Kerr operation. 140 cow one man operation with a student in spring going to 160..22unit parlour. 9minutes per row. I I can reuse old parlour alright. I want to keep this as cheap as possible. The one thing I hate here is trying to seoerate cows out in both breeding seasons. Cows slip get agitated and nervous ones really hate it. Would same a lot of stress on them and save time .. I must get onto rep again and see what his prices were. Things were quickly escalating price wise with the parlour I might be just as well put on 2 extra units for 2 yrs and install drafting . I was thinking of milking cows at end and either keep seoerate herd or draft them and put them in second time and milk
mahoney_j wrote: » For 120/140 cows 14 units with more spec to save u trips in and out of pit,extra units and no drafting/dump line won't really help
trixi2011 wrote: » Have you any scope to set up cheap drafting at the front of the parlour. You can set up a really good drafting system with ropes and gates which wont break the bank. Know of a farm with a delaval parlour with dumpline which work with snap clips it failed twice in the one year and full tanks were lost each time . I always prefer running a separate group but might be a hassle with smaller numbers
stanflt wrote: » Gg spend as much as you can on the parlour at day one to make your life easier I'd have no problem spending 8-10 k per unit A modern plant should last 30 years with proper up keep Compare it to your new tractor which cost you 50k and won't last more then 10years You will spend more time in the pit and it will make you money where as a tractor will only break your heart with diesel bills repair bills
Greengrass1 wrote: » This is what the parlour was coming in at Swing over 1500l/m vacuum pump 3kw electric motor Silicone milk and pulse tubes 100mm milk line 50mm wash line Low line wash with fold up betters Plate collet 800g/he Air injector for washing 2x200 Ltd wash troughs 26k +vat for 12units Milk recorders and act were 13k + vat Feeders 12 feeders I controller Can feed individualy 8,300+ vat
frazzledhome wrote: » Swing arm, unnecessary 2*200 litre barrels for wash troughs You forgot meal bin and drafting
mahoney_j wrote: » I'm with stan on this,gg u need to keep a tight efficient ship with help from ur dad as he moves on in years.14 units,swing overs,acrs,simple efficient drafting and recycle old lines from old parlour with that jar and pump or second hand one.no running in and out of parlour or lugging buckets up out of pit.do it once and do it right,u won't regret it.ur parlour and cows is where ull make ur money
trixi2011 wrote: » One thing I have noticed with a few new parlours around home is very little thought is put into cow flow. When putting in a new parlour I think it is one of the most important thing to take in to consecration. Cow flow is the one thing that can massively affect the length you spend in the milking parlour
Greengrass1 wrote: » Parlour built for 12 already Don't need acrs with that many units I could use that 13k better on drafting or something else. Need to keep this to minimum spend. Nothing wrong with a tight budget. Milked in a few parlours that were built in a low budget and found nothing wrong with them. The way modern parlours are now there built to add in extras. Not like parlours built 30yrs ago with bits added on and are awkward then. Its very easy to put on acrs and meters in 5/10 yrs when I have the big tax bill
mahoney_j wrote: » I'd argue you do need acrs currently as with no drafting or dump line ur in and out of pit like a yo yo and lugging buckets of milk around your also in winter milk so the argument is there for the feeders .dont be afraid of technology it's there for your benefit to make things more efficient.14 units is perfectly adequate for 140/150 cows with a bit of spec.your young and building a parlour,do it once and do it right .adding on stuff after will in a lot of cases cost more as you will have to buy full wood,meters ,acrs etc to tie in with parlour.youve more scope to bargain at day 1.as stan said its a 30 year job and tax efficient and also the fact your milking year round with winter calvers you'll be getting a return every time u start the machine up.u won't get that with a tractor or machinery. It's good to see other guys set up ,but keep it relevant to yours and not guys milking a couple of hundered cows.
Greengrass1 wrote: » I get what what your saying Mj and I fully aggre but you said yourself if you had other jobs to do around your place at the time you wouldn't have put as much into your parlour. Fullwood have a new parlour out now, haven't talked to uncle about it yet but I plan to. Might get quote of delaval and dairy master to beat him with. I might be able to get 14 units in I'll have to go measuring there is a bit of space at back where the troughs end but I don't think I will be extending the pit and taking out a tank for 2 extra units. If I was to do that I'd go to 18/20
