Robotic milking solving labour problems for Carnhill Holsteins in Co Antrim
Sourcing relief milkers on an ongoing basis was once a “big problem” for Cahal Casey and his son Conor of Carnhill Holsteins near Cloughmills, north Antrim – but not anymore thanks to GEA robotic milking systems from McKnight Dairy Services.
Robotic milking solving labour problems for Carnhill Holsteins in Co Antrim
Sourcing relief milkers on an ongoing basis was once a “big problem” for Cahal Casey and his son Conor of Carnhill Holsteins near Cloughmills, north Antrim - but not anymore thanks to GEA robotic milking systems from McKnight Dairy Services.
That’s not to mention the time-saving benefits to the family farm team of being able to now milk their cows “without the regimental timetable of milking in a parlour”, says Cahal.
The Caseys have been milking on the family farm for many generations and have a herd of 170 cows and followers.
They are currently milking with three robots and aim to consistently produce 2 million litres of milk per year with their fully-robotic milking herd.
The farm objectives are:
- To maximise overall farm profit
- To have a labour-efficient working environment
- To be able to spend more time with family
“We started milking three times a day a number of years ago, which proved very beneficial for the cows’ yields; but sourcing on-going relief milkers was proving difficult,” according to Cahal.
In early 2018, the Casey family made the decision to introduce robotic milking and GEA Monobox (DairyRobot R9500) systems proved the perfect choice.
“We liked the pit area behind the cow. It gives great visibility and access to the cow - the fast attachment and everything happening in-liner,” Cahal commented.
McKnight Dairy Services installed the GEA Monobox robots in autumn 2018 and started milking in early October of that year.
“McKnight Dairy Services done a first-class professional job. There was no challenge that James, David and the boys couldn’t solve,” said Cahal.
“The start was fairly stress free and most cows took to the system fairly quickly but the extra time we spent at the start up was definitely a big help in the long term.
“What with having already used the GEA management system the transition to the robot was an easy adjustment.”
And the benefits of going robotic with the DairyRobot were soon very apparent.
“We have noticed an improvement in legs and lameness since starting robotic milking.”
“Cell counts always ran around 150 and were over the last few years. We are down around 90; it has increased slightly recently as cows are due for drying off.
“The quarter conductivity is great; it allows us to get in early and treat with udder mint. The Monobox also allows me to separate per quarter giving us more control.
“In the last couple of weeks, when I started drying off cows, I noticed a huge improvement in teat condition. Cows’ temperament has changed; they are quicker to work with also.”
Top benefits of robotic milking for Carnhill Holsteins
- Improved cow hoof condition
- Improved cow temperament
- Flexible working times/less milking workload
Robotic milking transforms the Donnell family’s farming day in Co Tyrone
The GEA DairyRobot R9500 (formerly Monobox) has transformed the milking operation on the Donnell family farm, which became the first to install the state-of-the-art system in Northern Ireland.
Robotic milking transforms the Donnell family’s farming day in Co Tyrone
The GEA DairyRobot R9500 (formerly Monobox) has transformed the milking operation on the Donnell family farm, which became the first to install the state-of-the-art system in Northern Ireland.
Derick, Sylvia and Hall Donnell have been milking approximately 100 Holstein-Friesian cows since they took over the 73ha farm on the edge of Ballymagorry village, near Strabane, Co. Tyrone in 1989.
Since installing the robotic milking system, milking frequency has increased, instances of lameness have been reduced, cell count has been dramatically lowered, and teat condition has been improved - and that’s not to mention the time that’s been freed up for other duties on the busy farm.
The cows were previously milked twice daily at 5:00am and 5:00pm, with an emphasis on grass production and feeding from mid-March until mid-November, depending on annual conditions.
Hall Donnell says: “Now the cows are milking three times a day; they are carrying less milk and not waiting around to be milked. I have noticed an improvement in legs and lameness.
“Cell counts always ran around 150 over the last few years. For the last few months, we are down around 90; it has increased slightly recently as cows are due for drying off. The conductivity is so accurate it allows me to get in early and treat with udder mint; the Monobox also allows me to separate per quarter, giving me more control.
“In the last couple of weeks when I started drying off cows, I noticed a huge improvement in teat condition; they are soft and healthy looking and there are no signs of warts or cuts on them. The cows’ temperament has changed; they are quieter to work with.”
And the benefits do not end there for Hall, whose daily routine has been transformed, giving him more time to focus on other important jobs around the farm.
“I don’t set the alarm anymore; in the morning, I just get up when I wake.
“I had a lot of work to catch-up with after the start-up, and we are building the separation area; but it’s amazing how much more time I have.
“The flexibility is great, if I’m at silage or spreading slurry. I don’t have to stop to get cows in and can just carry on and get the job finished.”
The Donnell family farmyard is centrally situated in the farm, with approximately 39ha around the yard and the remainder in outlying farms.
In 2011, they installed a 14-unit, 90-degree Milfos swing over parlour from McKnight Dairy Services.
Introducing robotic milking to their farm was always in mind for the Donnell family and, when a 12,000l GEA tank was installed in 2012, it needed to be robot ready.
Donnell family farm objectives:
- Maximise overall farm profit
- Have a labour-efficient working environment
- Utilise forage from both grass and ensiled grass to its full potential
- Make efficient use of nutrients (fertiliser and slurry) while meeting current nitrates legislation
When the Donnell family began thinking about upgrading their out-of-parlour feeders, they got in touch with us at McKnight Dairy services.
After a few visits from James McKnight, accompanied by Roy Clarke from GEA Ireland, Hall says “the option of going ahead with robotic milking looked more appealing with the introduction of the Monobox to Northern Ireland”.
“The milk price was good, and we could see the potential benefits to our farm objectives and lifestyle - but really, the cows made the decision.
“Yields were steadily increasing each year, from 7,200l in 2010 to 9,600l [in 2019]. Cows needed milking three times a day,” Hall explains.
Installation and training
The installation was swift. The bespoke design was provided by GEA’s Declan Casey, who provides technical support to our team at McKnight Dairy Services.
“James, David and their team at McKnight do very tasty work, and were very efficient with the installation,” Hall says.
The GEA robotic milking solution’s open design, silent operation and quick attachment, made getting started simple for the Donnell family.
“For two days we penned the cows behind the robots and guided them. Over the next two weeks, the number of cows we needed to collect dropped every day,” Hall says.
A grazing plan and layout were designed by GEA to ensure cows have access to grass for 16 hours each day on around 20ha and eight hours at the feed fence, depending on weather conditions and time of year.
Following the first two weeks, cows were given access to grass using a selection gate. Cows get access to Block A from 2:00am to 10:00am (after milking). Upon their return for a second milking, they are given access to fresh grass in Block B from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
All cows that come in after 6:00pm have access to the feed fence and can stay in for the night.
“Allocation of grass is very important to encourage cows to move voluntarily. May was a difficult time to start this year with a big flush of grass; but once I got used to the new allocation, and we got around the block a couple of times, the cows were coming really well – with no cows to collect since mid-Summer,” says Hall.
Now that a robotic milking solution from McKnight Dairy Services has transformed Hall’s working day, he has set new goals for the Donnell family farm.
He aims to achieve: “1 million litres from 100 cows or less” and “continue to enjoy farming.”
