‘
The Newton Rigg herd is on Holstein Complete and receives three classification visits a year
an obvious choice. It does require a lot of management, but we are pleased with the results. We are currently facilitating a trial at Newton Rigg that is funded by DairyCo.”
’
The two sheds in the new dairy include a cubicle shed for 160 cows, the other shed accommodates offices, the 30:30 Fullwood parlour, handling system, 40 cubicles which is run as a fresh group at the moment, but could end up as top cow group, and five straw pens for calving and fresh cows. Both sheds are internal temperature controlled with curtains and a light ridge grant funded. The curtains are controlled by wind speed, direction and rain.
Fullwood’s Quick S parlour offered the best value for money, cows stand at 90 degrees, but exit out the front of the parlour. A touch screen in the parlour allows access to the Crystal management program to check and input data and means management decisions can be made without having to go to the office.
Meters flash up high activity detected on the pedometers and also alert to treated cows which can then be checked on the touch screen. Cows benefit from rubber matting in all the feed passages as well as the walk way to, and the return from, the parlour and in the parlour. “There is no rubber in the collecting area, this cow psychology means that cow flow is good at milking time.” The milking herd is fed a mixed ration of home grown forage, currently they are fed 17kg first cut silage, 6.5kg whole-crop, 12kg maize, 7kg of a 30% protein blend, 1.5kg caustic wheat, 100g dairy minerals, 50g yeast, and 50g urea. They are then topped up in the parlour over 25 litres at 0.35kg/ litre to a maximum of 6kg a day for heifers and 7kg for cows. The nutrition advice and group buying is part of the package that Velcourt supply through their dairy specialist Robbie Taylor.
One of the decisions made at the initial planning meeting was to keep cows in all the time. However, last year a few far off dry cows were turned out, but this group suffered retained cleansing problems so to be in total control of diet it has been decided to keep them in. Dry cows are now moved to a shed in the old steading after drying off to help them settle better.
“Cows weren’t settling in the cubicles in the new shed after drying off. I think the sound of the parlour meant they still looked to be milked, since moving them in to an old cubicle shed they settle much better.” Jonathan and Liz wanted a good genetic base to start the herd and purchases included many good families including Sharon, Tilly, Roxy, Miss America, Belle, Roxy, Mandy, Brandy, Gaye, Lana and Kizzy lines from the Tallent herd. There are several lines of the Sharon family with the Shine, Sharmane and Shandy branches. Some of Jonathan’s favourites in the herd came from Tallent with the fourth calved Tallent Shottle Roxy his pick of the cows. Classified VG87 as a heifer she is due to classify again and is the 10th
generation of VG or EX cows. There is also a 14th
generation of
VG or EX in the herd from the Tilly family, Tallent Lauthority Tilly classified VG85 as a heifer and is back in-calf to Doorman. The Warnelview purchases include members of the Irene, Ruby, Chancery, Suzette and Silver Wings families. To keep a neutral ground from AI companies Jonathan decided to run WebMate to aid breeding decisions in the herd. Semen is purchased from Cogent, Genus
LEFT Calves are content in the shed that has vented sheets on the sides.
46 THE JOURNAL APRIL 2015
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