With the busy summer months behind us and the end of the year just around the corner, dairies are setting their sights on off-season upgrades. These are the equipment and facility projects that likely didn’t quite fit in earlier in the year. It’s also when the year-end numbers come into play, where money may be better spent on upgrades than lost to taxes.
Justin Custer, solution manager, Milk Quality and Animal Health, Market Area North America for DeLaval, and Keith Engel, business development manager – hygiene for GEA Farm Technologies, share the top solutions and strategies their customers — both conventional and robotic — are implementing in the off season across the U.S. From small equipment fixes to bigger facility improvements, these experts agree the right investments now can mean smoother performance and fewer headaches throughout the winter and into the new year.
- Small upgrades to automation, milk pumps, crowd gates and vacuums. “We still have quite a few older barns out there, and these are common for this time of year,” Custer says.
- Cooling and milk storage. According to Custer, “If production is increased, they’re looking at alternatives for milk storage. These are big things to improve upon now, when your system isn’t as taxed from the weather as opposed to the middle of summer, when hot milk is more prevalent.”
- Winter teat dips. “This is a major focus to work with our customers on, because frost bite, teat and skin conditioning all have a huge impact on the overall curve,” Custer says.
- Improvements to housing. Engel says it really comes down to having the proper traction for cows to walk, windbreaks to protect the cows from the windchill, and dry, clean bedding.
- Vacuum and take-off settings. “Take steps to ensure optimal take-off and vacuum settings for your herd to ensure teat-end health. Match vacuum settings and pulsation to the current liner,” Engel says.
- Parlor entrance and exit areas. “Cow flow to and from the parlor can be affected by ice and frozen manure. Eliminate this potential winter obstacle by making sure cow entrance and exit areas are protected,” Engel says.
“Overall, you would want to consider anything that is going to make sure your milking equipment and settings are right,” Engel says. “So, an investment now in that — whether it’s a scheduled service and a milking time evaluation or upgrading your milking equipment — would be wise. Doing a walk-through of your facility and recalling issues of winters past and how you can improve and prepare before this season is key.”
Custer adds that while timing isn’t always optimal for everyone, both the smaller upgrades and major projects are wins for both the customer and the dealers they work through. “It’s all kind of a balancing act implementing new stuff during a time where you might not have all the resources. But if you plan it correctly, it could actually help you improve that ‘getting-through-the-holidays’ pinch.”
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