Editorial: Fewer herds, more milk
OPINION: The latest New Zealand Dairy Statistics report paints a picture of an industry trending towards fewer but larger herds.
Detection patches help, but even experienced campaigners find it labour intensive and time consuming.
LIC now offers automatic heat detection in herringbone milking sheds, using technology that builds on that offered in rotary set-ups (Protrack EZ Heat system).
The herringbone version, shown as a prototype at the 2015 Fieldays, is now available commercially and, like the rotary system, it integrates with LIC Automation's Protrack system to draft cows after heat detection, and with the Minda system to record these events.
The herringbone set-up has an in-race camera booth through which the cows pass after milking. The camera photographs a heat detection patch above the cow's tail and evaluates the image of the patch for signs of activation.
In the rotary set-up this process is carried out while the cow is still on the platform.
In both systems, cows showing no signs of activation are drafted straight back to the paddock; those showing signs of activation, or missing patches, are automatically drafted into a holding area for further investigation and possible insemination
Automation chief executive Paul Whiston says "Protrack EZ heat reduces production losses through missed heats, and removes the stress and labour costs associated with a manual detection regime".
For the 2016-17 season LIC is offering interest-free terms on a range of products.
