MARCH 2018• COUNTRY LIFE IN BC


47 New entrants give fresh life to old dairy barns


Delta welcomes first new dairy since 1990s by DAVID SCHMIDT


DELTA – It seems that when son becomes a new entrant in the dairy industry, dad gets a new barn and son gets to manage two farms. That’s what happened at Hesdon Holsteins in Delta and B&L Dairy Farm in Abbotsford, two stops on the 2018 BC Dairy Farm Self-Tour, January 24. Jim Hessels recently


moved his 125-cow milking herd into a new 140-stall drive-through barn so his son, Alan, could house his 24-cow new entrant herd in the old facilities across the street. Despite being on the “old” farm, Jim proudly notes Alan’s farm is the first “new” dairy farm in Delta in more than 20 years.


Alan not only looks after


his own herd but manages his father’s operation. Jim believes that is necessary, claiming “everyone on the quota-building program needs an outside job.” Jim’s other children also


have outside jobs but they remain actively involved in the family dairy so no non- family help is required. “Alan’s brother is a


firefighter but helps out on both farms and his sister is a teacher but also gets on a tractor,” Jim explains. Although most new dairy


barns are installing robots, the Hessels opted for a GEA double-10 parallel parlour (the old facilities have a double-6 parlour) because it allows them to look at all the cows at least twice a day. “We get to know the cows


really well,” Jim states, saying they particularly like breeding. “We want a balance of good production with


Hesdon Holsteins in Delta truly is a family operation. Thirteen of the Hessels family gathered in their new milking parlour during the BC Dairy Farm Self Tour, January 24. They are, from left to right (back row), Celine, Alan, Adriana, Mary Ann, Jim, Greg, Nathan and Coral, (front row) Sophia, Kayleigh, James, Vivian and Julieanne. DAVID SCHMIDT PHOTO


functional type. Our goal is longevity.”


The family regularly wins the local Holstein club’s longevity award, proving that its breeding program is hitting the mark. The new barn features


wide-open sidewalls which not only provide plenty of natural ventilation but attract lots of curious looks from passersby on the adjacent highway. “It keeps us accountable,”


Alan says, adding, “I take pride in keeping things tidy and don’t have a problem answering questions about


what I do. It’s an opportunity to educate.”


Hesdon uses sawdust instead of sand bedding, noting sawdust has reduced wear and tear on the hydraulic scrapers.


Better traction Matt Dykshoorn of B & L


Dairy agrees sand is harder on equipment but believes that is outweighed by improved traction and cow comfort. “The hocks in the new barn


are way better than in the old barn with pasture mats and sawdust.”


Dykshoorn installed a Lely


robotic milker in the new barn, saying he likes the flexibility it provides. He also believes it’s better for cow health, since cows are milked more often. “We average 3.7 milkings a


day, which takes pressure off the udders,” he states. A walkway along the side of the barn provides many benefits. It gives a better view


of the cows and keeps them out of the summer sun. It also made construction more economical as the posts for the vaulted ceilings could be centered and the outside wall did not have to be as sturdy. Although Dykshoorn still uses the old barn with its double-6 parlour for his new entrant herd, he plans to “twin” the new barn so both herds are in similar facilities.


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