Semi-robotic milking technology to boost parlour efficiency
Waikato Milking Systems’ latest innovation, ErgoPOD is now commercially available within New Zealand and Australia.
The first 84-bail composite Waikato Milking Systems rotary platform built in the US has won an energy efficiency award.
Cow Pleasant Dairy, owned by Tom and Katrien De Vos, Isabella County, Michigan, was named Large Business of the Year by Consumers Energy, the electricity and natural gas utility in Michigan.
Originally from Belgium, the De Vos family set out to innovate in developing their 3450 cow dairy; notably they chose to install the WMS rotary.
Tom De Vos said “we liked the concept of a composite platform which is extraordinarily strong yet light, easy to keep clean and energy efficient”.
The set-up has the maker’s SmartECR, SmartPuls, SmartLink and SmartWash systems, and electronic milk meters, auto sorting and herd management technology.
The dairy also has a direct-load milk cooling system which cools milk from 95oC to 36oC before it goes to a trailer parked outside the parlor; this removes the need for a bulk milk tank. When full, the trailer is taken to the processor and an empty trailer takes its place.v
De Vos says the system is efficient system, has minimal risk of bacteria, preserves the quality of the milk and cuts water use.
These and other features including fans which cool the cows and LED lighting led to the company being named the Large Business of the Year with energy rebates worth more than $US117,000.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.
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