Which new milking parlour?

[Winklepicker]

Looking to build a new parlour in the next 12-18 months, will be completly new build in a new building.

Looking to milk 200-250 crossbred cows, 1 man to easiy and effectly milk them on their own.

• What type?
• Cow places?
• Must haves?
• Mustn't haves?
• Best value for money?

I don't know a huge amount about parlours as it's my brother's domain, but he's not on here

 

[TomB]

20/40 or 24/48 swingover. As little tech as you can get away with as it will break down and send you repair bills as it ages. Waikato or milfos or dairy farm services if in the sw(they do a copy of the nz parlours.)

 

[Will Blackburn]

24:48 minimum
Backing gate
ACR
Autodipping

 

[thewalrus]

Cow flow is number 1. Cows need to get out quickly

 

[Beef farmer]

As open as possible. Much better working environment. Don't worry about snow it never snows in the UK.



Looks out of window


It's flipping snowing again. What the actual feck

 

[Durry cows]

I’ll be keeping a keen eye on this thread as in nigh on exactly the same position, somewhere between a 16/32 and a 24/48 everything else is up for debate acr/non acr, batch feeders/feed to yield, adf/ no adf etc

 

[Will Blackburn]

ADF is one make of autodipping. It would be worth looking at others. ADF are the Hoover of autodipping some may think Dyson are better.

 

[vantage]

My vet's take on ADF for large multi milker units was that it did a mediocre job,but consistently,rather than a poor job one day then an excellent job the next day depending on who milked.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

20/40 or 24/48 swingover. As little tech as you can get away with as it will break down and send you repair bills as it ages. Waikato or milfos or dairy farm services if in the sw(they do a copy of the nz parlours.)

And then extend it a few years laterwith an slight kink in the middle?

 

[Headless chicken]

If your milking yourself rotary if your paying someone 24:48

 

[TomB]

And then extend it a few years laterwith an slight kink in the middle?

Ha. They nearly needed a flexible join an the 4” milk line. It’s straight enough for a diy bodge.

@Headless chicken i don’t see how a rotary can be justified unless numbers nearing 4 figures. Too expensive both in terms of capital and running costs. A 60 point would be nice tho!

 

[Durry cows]

If your milking yourself rotary if your paying someone 24:48

Keep hearing mixed reports, told by plenty 16/32 is optimum and just right for 1 man etc but then keep hearing this need 24 or you will be stood still etc

 

[Will Blackburn]

AirWash Plus is a great system, wouldn't be without It, better than I can dip them.

 

[Headless chicken]

Ha. They nearly needed a flexible join an the 4” milk line. It’s straight enough for a diy bodge.

@Headless chicken i don’t see how a rotary can be justified unless numbers nearing 4 figures. Too expensive both in terms of capital and running costs. A 60 point would be nice tho!

When we put ours in we were told we could’ve have a 30 point I think for very similar money
If it’s going to be in for a while then get it right

Keep hearing mixed reports, told by plenty 16/32 is optimum and just right for 1 man etc but then keep hearing this need 24 or you will be stood still etc

We have a 16:32 and if you prep then it’s about right maybe a few more. No prep and could handle more but as we block calve yield drops as we drop the prepping as the cows go out so matches us well

 

[Beef farmer]

Can't see how a 16.32 and a 30 point could be the same money. Rotary had 14 more meters and units to start.

 

[jackrussell101]

24/48

I reckon it will cost around £120-240k depending on spec....

 

[Headless chicken]

Can't see how a 16.32 and a 30 point could be the same money. Rotary had 14 more meters and units to start.

I think it was a bells and whistles herringbone compared to a basic rotary. Feeders are expensive in herringbone hnlsss your batch

 

[Agrispeed]

20/40 in the stallwork for a 30/60. Any make, but simple. Shed with one side and straight entrance/exit.

£150K would probably see it installed with a shed if you were dicey enough

 

[buffalo_soldier]

10 sides is a good guide for a herringbone.
As said be mindful of leaving room.
ACR's

 

[Agrispeed]

As open as possible. Much better working environment. Don't worry about snow it never snows in the UK.

How are you getting on with your parlour, installed ACRs yet?