Robotic Rotary Milking: Inside a $6M Investment Paying Off Faster Than Expected
The Dairy ProQ robotic rotary, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, has proven to be an impressive addition for Victorian farmers Paul and Marsha Smith.
Copland and his brother Wayne have successfully integrated GEA’s Manure Decanter system into their farming operations in Chertsey, Canterbury.
“This system has significantly improved pasture irrigation on the farm,” says Craig.
The dairy farm which has been in their family for over 140 years, includes dairy, Black Origin Wagyu beef, cropping, and an apple orchard. With 1500 cows milked through a 60-bail GEA rotary, the system five dairy farm houses 600 cows and 1000 Wagyu beef animals indoors, producing a large volume of effluent.
Before implementing the GEA Manure Decanter, Craig was using a GEA Screw Press separator but faced challenges with irrigation nozzle blockages and high levels of potassium and phosphate in his paddocks.
Daniel Geldenhuys, sales engineer and business development for GEA’s Separator & Flow Technologies, says the company is committed to providing innovative solutions that support sustainable farming practices.
“The GEA Manure Decanter, adapted for use on Craig’s farm, separates solids from liquids, creating nutrient-rich fertiliser and irrigation water. The clarified liquid is fed to a nearby irrigation pond and the solids are dropped underneath the decanter into a concrete bunker,” he says.
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The GEA system has reduced irrigation nozzle blockages and allowed for more efficient use of natural fertilisers.
This is the first system of its type in New Zealand.
“Since installing the decanter, we have seen a dramatic increase in irrigation run time from blocking nozzles in less than 8 hours to now endless running times, along with improved pasture growth and reduced synthetic fertiliser use,” says Craig.
“The decanter system has saved time and money on the farm, the other option we looked at was a slurry truck system, which would have involved transporting 24 million litres of effluent in 30,000-litre loads.
“I can operate the system myself, whereas slurry trucks require a driver to transport and spread slurry over fields, and regular maintenance”, says Craig.
