Robotic milking

Sheepykid

Member
Wife is on the pay role.
3.98 million liters last year
Over 170k spent on labour inc family.
Does not take into account houses, water, elsectric, council tax.....
You didn’t really have to answer in that much detail. It’s none of anyone’s business. Thanks for explaining though. The success you and some of the other dairy boys on here have had is always really interesting to watch. That’s a lot more milk sold than I’d expected. After all my dairy knowledge only comes from the in laws and it’s quite a different operation they have to most.
 
You didn’t really have to answer in that much detail. It’s none of anyone’s business. Thanks for explaining though. The success you and some of the other dairy boys on here have had is always really interesting to watch. That’s a lot more milk sold than I’d expected. After all my dairy knowledge only comes from the in laws and it’s quite a different operation they have to most.
I'm not to worried about sharing some figures.
I would like to get my labour bill sub 4ppl but can't. 3 years ago it was 3.74ppl. Splitting to 2 parlours has major advantages, mainly grazed grass. But ita not as efficient with people.
Hats off to your inlaws, but its not for me.

Success.... dont believe all you read on here.
 

Sheepykid

Member
I'm not to worried about sharing some figures.
I would like to get my labour bill sub 4ppl but can't. 3 years ago it was 3.74ppl. Splitting to 2 parlours has major advantages, mainly grazed grass. But ita not as efficient with people.
Hats off to your inlaws, but its not for me.

Success.... dont believe all you read on here.
I know the saying, ‘believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see’. You must be doing something right. It’s always interesting to see what all of you are building or buying. With lockdown I’ve not been up there much lately but there is always a shed or something being thrown up. They do put a tremendous amount of time in though and deserve every penny.
If I we go to dairy I’d have to be housed 365 to keep any amount of stock as there is little grazing around the yard. Although I’d have the ability to house several. So I really doubt I could replicate the performance of yourself and cows and grass and friesian fan etc. Still never say never.
 

yin ewe

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Co Antrim
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Robotic milking at its best, sitting in front of the fire at half 5, showered, shaved and waiting on the homemade burgers and chips to be ready. No need to worry about the relief milker not turning up or wondering if he put the pipe into the tank(y)


I realise I will have a 2am callout for posting this :facepalm:.
 

Scholsey

Member
Location
Herefordshire
View attachment 935992

Robotic milking at its best, sitting in front of the fire at half 5, showered, shaved and waiting on the homemade burgers and chips to be ready. No need to worry about the relief milker not turning up or wondering if he put the pipe into the tank(y)


I realise I will have a 2am callout for posting this :facepalm:.

Yeap, ur doomed, might aswell ring the fitter now and prewarn them
 
View attachment 935992

Robotic milking at its best, sitting in front of the fire at half 5, showered, shaved and waiting on the homemade burgers and chips to be ready. No need to worry about the relief milker not turning up or wondering if he put the pipe into the tank(y)


I realise I will have a 2am callout for posting this :facepalm:.
What took you till half 5 on a sat? 😎
 

s line

Member
Just had a full week with no late list .
Some heifers due in a couple of weeks so that will come to an end
One farm where i do a bit of work. I have to look at the rest feed list. I have to fetch those cow's.....
Then heifers at lunchtime.
It would be quicker to put them through a parlour..... 😧
Spend all day fetching cow's, it gets rather tedious.
 

Sid

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South Molton
One farm where i do a bit of work. I have to look at the rest feed list. I have to fetch those cow's.....
Then heifers at lunchtime.
It would be quicker to put them through a parlour..... 😧
Spend all day fetching cow's, it gets rather tedious.
If you get the permissions right you shouldn't have to fetch cows.
Had 1 this morning.

Smart gates work for us. Summer and winter.
2.9 milkings a day.
 

pappuller

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
M6 Hard shoulder
Weighing up adding a 4th robot, it will be a single unit in a new building.
We have in adequate loose housing for milkers and feel a straw yard would be beneficial but the bedding cost of straw vs cubicles and sawdust is pretty eye-watering. Are there any other sensible bedding options that people are using on loose yard robot systems ?
 

Sid

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South Molton
Weighing up adding a 4th robot, it will be a single unit in a new building.
We have in adequate loose housing for milkers and feel a straw yard would be beneficial but the bedding cost of straw vs cubicles and sawdust is pretty eye-watering. Are there any other sensible bedding options that people are using on loose yard robot systems ?
Use bedding pack in Canada i believe

More room per cow =less straw= happy cows=less slurry =better for soil
 

yin ewe

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Co Antrim
Weighing up adding a 4th robot, it will be a single unit in a new building.
We have in adequate loose housing for milkers and feel a straw yard would be beneficial but the bedding cost of straw vs cubicles and sawdust is pretty eye-watering. Are there any other sensible bedding options that people are using on loose yard robot systems ?

What about a below ground tank with straw bedding gang slats on it, they have narrower gaps to allow urine to seep through and keep the bedding drier, could put a row of normal gangs at the feed passage where most of the dung would be.
 

pappuller

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
M6 Hard shoulder
Use bedding pack in Canada i believe

More room per cow =less straw= happy cows=less slurry =better for soil
Climate not suitable for bed pack in UK. Working on 10square m/cow and 10kg straw/cow/ day so 500kg @£100/ton is £50.
50 cubicles @ 1kg of dust/cow/day is 50kg or £4/day. £46/day difference
 

Scholsey

Member
Location
Herefordshire
Climate not suitable for bed pack in UK. Working on 10square m/cow and 10kg straw/cow/ day so 500kg @£100/ton is £50.
50 cubicles @ 1kg of dust/cow/day is 50kg or £4/day. £46/day difference

Whack some more cubicles in 16500/year pays for a bit of concrete/labour/steel, think quanity of straw available will only get less as environment schemes kick in so cost will only go one way.
 

richy

Member
Climate not suitable for bed pack in UK. Working on 10square m/cow and 10kg straw/cow/ day so 500kg @£100/ton is £50.

I was in Holland on a Lely tour and there was a farm with 4 robots and wood chips. The pack was a few feet deep and had to be cultivated every day.
 

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