02 Nov 2021
When the time comes to install a new parlour, most dairy farmers will have a well researched idea of what they want. For example, it could be upgrading to VMS robotic milking – choosing the new DeLaval VMS 310 robotic milking units for their great technological features and increased yields. Alternatively, you may be planning to expand your business with a rotary milking installation –the Rotary E100 parlour is already delivering a dramatic improvement for many of our customers. Or you could be renewing or enlarging a conventional milking parlour – the flexibility and functionality of the De Laval P100 could meet your brief.
As a DeLaval dealer T H WHITE can advise and help on the choice and supply of the right parlour to match the aims of your business, but choosing a parlour is just the beginning – installing it and ensuring the commissioning process runs smoothly is the next crucial step. That’s where T H WHITE can really make a difference.
Not only does the T H WHITE Dairy team have many years of experience in installing all types of parlour, but we are also ready to help with all necessary preparation and construction. That can embrace everything from assisting with design and gaining any necessary planning consents, to constructing and commissioning new buildings.
Using the resources available within the T H WHITE Group we can provide planning and construction services, or we can act as a project manager where a number of contractors are involved so that you only have to deal with one team. Installing the parlour itself is a core part of our business and commissioning is a vital stage when we will work with you to ensure that your new milking facility is functioning just as you want it to. Today’s milking parlours can be large and complex so some snagging and refinement is inevitable, but we will be with you all the way.
After all, we have been helping our customers get the best from innovation and technology for generations. Once your new parlour is fully functioning we will be there too to provide ongoing service and support so that you never have to worry about a breakdown disrupting your business.
The T H WHITE way is a holistic approach to installing new parlours, making the whole process from initial planning to milking the first cows into a single, managed project. So if you want to take away the stress of putting in a new parlour let us help you right from the start. Call our Dairy team on 01373 465941 (Frome), or 01452 830303 (Huntley).
02 Nov 2021
Fed up with paper towel cost and waste in your milking parlour? Now, with the ‘Teatscrubber’ teat prep system rom FutureCow, it’s possible to eliminate paper towels from the parlour, saving money and effort while helping to improve cow health and milk yield.
Teatscrubber is an ingenious hand-held ‘trigger’ style device that uses rotating brushes in combination with a chlorine dioxide solution to disinfect teats. Chlorine dioxide is a quick kill disinfectant that acts quickly to kill microorganisms on the teat while leaving the skin healthy – also being more cost-effective than many other dips. Unlike iodine it doesn’t require prolonged teat contact to kill pathogens, it leaves skin healthy and it’s acceptable for use on organic dairy farms.
Teatscrubber is simple to use too. Squeezing the trigger activates the brushes and starts the fluid flow. There’s even a built-in light to help you place it accurately on the teat. The consistent, one-step process gently washes, disinfects, stimulates and dries teats, meaning that more cows can be milked per hour without needing extra workers. Customers have also reported a drop in somatic cell count and new mastitis cases within the first 60 to 90 days of use.
To find out more about Teatscrubber, call Garry Grant on 07860 590701, or email him at gcg@thwhite.co.uk.
02 Nov 2021
Growth in demand for organic dairy ingredients is encouraging more dairy farmers to adopt organic methods.
Of course, many people already feel that the right place for cows to be is in the field and, as consumer awareness drives change, it is predicted that the global organic dairy market will be worth £21.3bn by 2023.
That presents some real opportunities for UK dairy farmers, but efficiency is paramount for a successful organic operation, ideally without increasing workload. One organic farmer who has recently upgraded his business by applying the latest technology is Will Grey of the Grey Partnership in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire.
“In 2018 we decided to take the plunge and bring the farm up to date, with the added objective of making a marginal increase to the herd size,” says Will. “We definitely wanted to remain 100% organic with the cows on grass, but we also knew that efficiency would become increasingly important. Our parlour really needed replacing and, having looked at all the options, the advantages of robotic miking really stood out.
“We settled on two DeLaval VMS classic units and one V300 robot – and, as we had decided to make a change, we thought we should probably go all the way and build a new shed while we were at it!”
Construction of Grey’s new shed, including services and drainage, took 20 months. Working alongside the contractors T H WHITE Dairy engineers installed the DeLaval VMS robotic milking units and the new system was brought into use at the end of 2019. We asked Will about his experience of the new installation over the last two years:
“Well, it was a big change and I won’t pretend it hasn’t involved a steep learning curve,” he says. “But the VMS units really have proved ideal for our type of organic grazing. Following the system recommended by DeLaval we have divided our pasture into three grazing areas, each of which is available to the cows for eight hour periods at different times of day and night. The cows can walk to the milking units at any time – the system will read which cow it is, when it was last milked, as well as checking whether it has ‘miking permission’ which can be set individually for each cow. If all is OK, the automatic gates will let the cow through to the milking station. If not, the cow will be directed back to whichever grazing area is ‘open’ at that time.
“During milking, if the system detects a high cell count or other problem, the cow will be drafted to the separation area where we can go and check what’s wrong.
“The VMS units have certainly made life easier, allowing us to spend more time on other productive work around the farm. We have enlarged the herd to 180 cows – up from 140 – without having to take on extra staff and the milk yield is up by about 10 per cent too.
“As you get used to a completely different way of working there are bound to be some teething problems and that’s where good back-up is really important. I have to say that T H WHITE’s engineers have been excellent!”
If you are thinking about new ways of milking to ease the workload and increase efficiency, talk to the T H WHITE Dairy team on 01373 465941 (Frome) or 01452 830303 (Huntley).
02 Nov 2021
02 Nov 2021
02 Nov 2021
Softcel is a premium tissue towel for pre-milking cleaning of teats and udders. These blue two layer towels are made from recycled paper A good milking and udder preparation routine has a proven impact in reducing mastitis.
Longer: 190 metre on each roll, that’s 10 metres more than our competitors
Wider: 265mm wide! That’s 35mm wider than most and 65mm wider than some.
Softer: Each roll is embossed for greater absorbency and softness
Easy to use: Every sheet is perforated to all easy tear off and low waste.
To find out more about our dairy offers or to enquire about our monthly dairy van delivery service, contact, Paul Sadler on 07979 597484 or email pjs@thwhite.co.uk.
13 Oct 2021
A big milestone arrived for two apprentices working at our Frome branch, who have successfully completed a 4 year Apprenticeship through T H WHITE’s Apprenticeship Scheme. Their graduation was celebrated last week with a presentation of certificates from company CEO Alex Scott; taking the opportunity to congratulate them on the completion of the course and to wish them all the best for a long and successful career here at T H WHITE.
The first certificate was presented to James Hamblin, who in 2016 took an Electrical Installation course at Bath College, where he was introduced to T H WHITE by way of work experience. After a successful week working alongside the Dairy engineer team, James decided to have a change of vocation and embarked on a 4 year Apprenticeship studying Refrigeration and Air Conditioning to Level 3. James is now a fully qualified member of the refrigeration team, taking on Installations, service and breakdowns across the South West. Well done James!
Secondly Elliot Moon, who after a successful work experience from school was offered an apprenticeship at the age of 16. Throughout the apprenticeship he studied at Reaseheath College where he successfully completed a Level 3 apprenticeship in Land Based Service Engineering. Congratulations to Elliot, who over his time at T H WHITE, has become an important and well-respected member of the service team at Frome, where he will continue to work on equipment of all sizes from small balers to much larger combine harvesters.
At T H WHITE, we run a comprehensive and practical apprenticeship scheme for school leavers aged 16 and over. Opportunities exist within every division of the company and all incorporate a day of block release at college to gain the knowledge element of the qualification, with on-the-job practical experience gained in our workshops or on site. Apprenticeships are a great way to get industry experience and skills, in a hands-on working environment.
More information and how to enquire for our apprenticeship schemes can be found here.
09 Sep 2021
Early stages of an impressive new DeLaval V300 build for the Jeynes family at Red House Farm in Longdon, on the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire border.
With a growing herd size they were keen to improve efficiencies so are installing a complete new free access cubicle shed which also houses two new DeLaval V300’s along with DeLaval Body Condition Score Camera, DeLaval Brushes and a DeLaval Milk Silo.
This new facility provides a host of fast, quiet and robust processes to prompt repetitive milking 24hrs a day, whilst providing the cows with a comfortable milking environment. The DeLaval V300 assisted by the Delaval InsightTM will ensure the cows are milked comfortably and efficiently, backed up with the DeLaval Delpro computer system, which will provide the Jeynes Family with important information on herd health and cow performance.
The install is scheduled to complete at the end of September 2021, but unfortunately with current climate situations affecting the availability of building materials and timber this date may change.
Overall, milking capacity will be increased and the comfortable system, along with the DeLaval extras, will equal very happy cows. We look forward to checking in on the results on completion!
03 Aug 2021
The new 140 cow dairy unit at the Lackham campus of Wiltshire College & University Centre has now been operating successfully for more than nine months. The development forms part of a £22 million investment by Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) designed to address the rural skills requirements of the future.
T H WHITE and DeLaval have partnered with the College to equip the unit with the latest dairy technologies including two DeLaval VMS robotic milking units for everyday milking of the cows and a third one used for training students. The latest hi-tech innovation to be added to the unit is DeLaval’s LED lighting.
Farm Manager Philip Steans explains: “Dairy farmers have known for a long time that giving cows more light increases milk yield. Studies have shown that exposing lactating cows to 16 hours of light each day will cause the pineal gland to produce less melatonin, in turn leading to increased feed intake and milk production. The uplift can be between 5% and 16% – averaging 8% – so it’s an increase well worth having.”
A consistent duration of 16 to 18 hours of light is needed in each ‘photoperiod’ for the best yields, but it’s also important that the cows should be allowed a 6 to 8 hour period of darkness between the cycles to sustain the response.
Until recently the energy cost of providing the necessary illumination made the economics questionable, but LED lighting has changed all that. However, says Phil, it’s no good just using any LED lighting: “Cows see a different part of the visible spectrum compared to humans so it’s important not only to achieve the correct brightness, but also the right spread and colour temperature. By combining energy efficient blue LEDs with additional optical lenses, DeLaval has produced cow lighting units that deliver an even ‘bat wing’ spread of light.”
The really clever part is that the DeLaval units deliver light at three different levels – ‘Herd Light’ for the cows’ eyes, ‘Work Light’ for farmers’ eyes, and ‘Night Light’ for the 8-hour dark period when the cows rest but farmers still need to work safely. By ‘switching off’ the light that the cows can’t see and implementing automatic dimming as natural light levels increase, power consumption can be reduced by up to 75 per cent.
The new installation at Lackham has proved the yield benefits resulting from controlled ‘photoperiod’ lighting and the College is playing a key role in introducing these new technologies to the next generation of dairy farmers. If you would like to discuss how you can enhance the production of your herd by switching to this bright idea, just speak to your T H WHITE Dairy rep or call our branches at Frome (01373 465941) or Huntley (01452 830303).
For more information on the Lackham Dairy Engineering Course, or to apply for a place, go to www.wiltshire.ac.uk.
03 Aug 2021
Whether its planned maintenance, breakdown support or a regular servicing contract you need, we are here to help.
03 Aug 2021
Kuhn Primor 3570 with Cleanstraw
Effective straw shredders offer the potential of savings of up to 30% in usage rates of straw when bedding. But whether buying for the first time or upgrading, choice of machine is important, as Kuhn’s James Hutchinson points out.
“Versatility should be a primary consideration, so having a machine that is capable of feeding silage as well as spreading straw for bedding could be a good way to go,” he says.
“It may also be that farmers are forced into using some lesser quality material this winter, given the predicted scarcity, so a robust machine that is engineered to handle all types of fodder and straw is likely to be an advantage.
“Again, because it might be a case of buying in straw from varying sources, being able to handle both round and square bales, of all sizes, may be a consideration.”
Maximising straw use efficiency does mean achieving an even spread of material and accessing the furthest reaches of the shed: “Having a machine with a good spreading range is important in order to avoid large piles in the middle of the yard that will result in wastage and areas that are not bedded,” adds James. “A swivelling chute, capable of accessing both sides of the machine and reaching the corners is as important as the overall range and can be advantageous when bedding cubicles as well as straw yards.”
Straw quality may be an issue, as much as volume, and where matted or mouldy material is used that can lead to problems with air quality at the time of bedding. Kuhn has addressed this potential problem with the recent launch of its Cleanstraw dust control system on the Primor straw bedding and feeding range.
Available on new equipment, or as a retrofit upgrade for existing machines, the Cleanstraw facility reduces dust in livestock buildings by applying a fine mist of water to straw as it is distributed. It comprises a 64-litre water tank and three misting nozzles mounted at the exit of the straw blowing chute. The nozzles are fed by a pump which provides water at a flow rate to apply 1 litre of water per 100kg of straw, without slowing the machine’s normal performance.
Applying a mist of water at this rate and in this way eliminates excessive levels of airborne dust. Trials have shown that the air in a typical livestock building will be dust-free within 30 seconds after straw-blowing with the Cleanstraw system has ceased, compared to several minutes without the Cleanstraw facility.
“Reducing the amount of dust in livestock buildings not only creates a cleaner, more comfortable and more productive environment for cattle, but is also far better for farm workers. Apart from the health benefits of reduced dust in the air, the Cleanstraw system also allows better visibility when using a straw bedder, leading to more accurate spreading,” says James.
“Adding a fine mist of water as straw exits the spreading chute means very little water is required. This not only preserves the straw’s absorbency potential, ensuring it remains an effective and hygienic bedding material, but also means the speed of operation is unaffected.”
The Cleanstraw system is available on Kuhn’s Primor straw bedders that operate with the Polydrive hydraulically disengageable belt system that drives the feed rotor, and on the Profile Plus range of mixer wagons that have a bedding capability. The system is automatically activated when the Polydrive is engaged and can also be armed or disabled via an in-cab switch.
MyKUHN: FREE ONLINE SERVICES AND PARTS ORDERING
MyKUHN is an online customer portal, accessible to all owners and users of KUHN machinery. This free portal offers exclusive services to help you manage and maintain your KUHN machine fleet more easily.
Once logged in, on computer, mobile or tablet, you will be able to manage your KUHN machines by having access to parts catalogues and operator manuals in the Support area, order parts to click and collect from T H WHITE, find product and user information from the Expert area, as well as receiving updates on events and KUHN offers. It also provides an easy way to store wearing part references that you may need to order in the future. Kver
It’s easy to sign up – all the details and instructions can be found at www.thwhiteagriculture.co.uk/mykuhn
Contact your T H WHITE Agriculture rep to hear more about feeding and bedding equipment. You can also request a demo of many items at www.thwhiteagriculture.co.uk/get-in-touch.
02 Aug 2021
Two key things that farmers with smaller dairy units are looking for are ease of milking and efficiency. With that in mind, the new DeLaval P100 Parlour has been specifically designed for family farms and grassland customers.
The new DeLaval Parlour P100 delivers a smoother milking process using fewer resources and offering the right level of automation for each individual dairy farm. Combining a simple and efficient sequential bailing parlour with a conventional exit system means that the P100 parlour is easy to install and will fit into existing buildings as a retrofit installation. With 1×3 to 2×40 options, designing a P100 to fit your space is easy.
Cows stand at 90 degrees to the operator and the new straight rump rail provides excellent visibility of the cows during milking from the wide aisle.
Whether you’re looking for a swing-over midi-line or a double equipped low-line parlour, the P100 is optimized for ease of operation and milker comfort. Compatible with state-of-the-art DeLaval Evanza™ clusters, system connected InParlour Feeding and advanced DeLaval milk extraction technology, a P100 parlour will extract more milk in less time with less stressful routines for milkers.
DeLaval EasyFlow™ features a wide entry and double exit, enabling cows to move smoothly through the P100. With its adjustable breastrail and sequence gates clearly defining the space for each cow, parlour loading is seamless, so your cows stay comfortable and relaxed.
For more information on the logical, straightforward DeLaval P100 parlour, contact the T H WHITE Dairy team on 01373 465941 (Frome), or 01452 830303 (Huntley).
28 Apr 2021
28 Apr 2021
28 Apr 2021
Anthony Bown’s dairy farm, where he maintains a herd of 310 cows, sits high on the Mendips near Wells.
“There’s no shortage of wind up here,” he says, “so it’s probably the last place you would think might suffer from poor ventilation. And yet I had noticed that the cows were becoming agitated. They were bunching in waiting areas and experiencing heat and stress, and were not comfortable in the bedding cubicles either.”
The importance of optimal climate control in cow sheds is becoming much better understood; a cool cow is a happy cow, and a happy cow is a productive cow. Fresh air and heat control in the cow shed, especially in hot weather, can make a significant difference to herd welfare and milk yields.
The problem at Anthony Bown’s farm was not so much the passage of air through the shed, but the need to achieve good circulation and cooling at lower levels. This is where the T H WHITE Dairy division were able to apply their knowledge of available equipment across the market to deliver a cost-effective solution.
Many dairy fans are designed to draw air in one direction through the shed, but T H WHITE proposed the installation of three CMP Vertigo fans. These innovative self-contained units can be tilted as required from 0° to 90° to direct the air exactly where it’s most needed, keeping the cows cool and stress-free whatever the prevailing conditions. Gearless technology, allied to quality manufacturing, means that the Vertigo fans are quiet in operation, low on maintenance and thrifty on energy consumption.
Suitable for a single-phase or three-phase power supply, the fans feature on-board motor control for speed control and safety. The aluminium blades have been designed for efficiency, generating outstanding airflow, volume and velocity throughout the speed range.
With the three CMP Vertigo fans now installed, Anthony can be confident that his cows can remain relaxed through the hot weather to come this summer. The installation is an example of the T H WHITE dairy team’s ability to deliver the right solution to a particular set of problems at the right price with an eye to future running costs.
If you have any dairy questions you would like to discuss with our experts, just contact our dairy team on 01373 465941 (Frome) or 01452 830303 (Huntley), or visit www.thwhitedairy.co.uk
28 Apr 2021
Many T H WHITE Dairy customers will know our young Dairy engineer, Jack Smiles. Still only 27, Jack has worked on many of our recent installations including the 20 x 40 swing-over 50 degree herringbone parlour for the Powell family at Priddy (see separate story here) and an update to the conventional parlour at the impressive training facility at Lackham College. He has also carried out VMS installations for Hugh Miles at Witham Friary and the Hanns at Rodden Down.
Jack’s story is one that illustrates just how well the relationship between a company, a member of its staff and the customers can work. Joining T H WHITE straight from school as an apprentice in 2010, Jack initially trained as a refrigeration engineer. After completing his two-year release course he started working on conventional milking parlours, adding VMS robotic milking units to his skill set in 2014.
“I love the job,” Jack says, “especially the technical challenges. But it’s also about getting out into the countryside, meeting lots of farmers and helping them to keep their dairies running at peak efficiency. There are so many new things in the world of dairying that it can take a lot of a farmer’s time just to keep up with it all, but that’s where we can help to point them towards developments that will make a real difference to their business.
“There’s definitely a place for conventional and new technologies, but it’s important to remain open-minded and take the best of what’s on offer as it applies to any particular farm. My job is to push dairying forward, helping farmers to survive and thrive, at the same time hopefully improving life for all our dairy customers by bringing them innovations and high standards of service.”
T H WHITE Head of Dairy, Nigel Ellis is certainly impressed by Jack’s progression: “It’s very rewarding to watch a young person start as an apprentice and then move through different stages, all the time adding to their capabilities. Jack is now a fully fledged Dairy Engineer and at 27 he is still just at the beginning of his career. He has real ability, so who knows what levels he will have reached in a few years time?”
28 Apr 2021
Dairy technology has seen some remarkable developments and innovations in recent years, not least the sophisticated robotic milking and high-throughput rotary milking systems, as well as computer-based monitoring and control of herd health.
Many of these advances have been pioneered by worldwide leader in milking solutions DeLaval, but despite its forward-looking approach the company still recognises the value of conventional milking parlours and the benefits they offer to many dairy farmers. Indeed, the company continues to refine and improve its well-established range of parallel, herringbone and swing-over parlours for the 21st century.
The Powell family started dairy farming in 1958 and recently moved a short distance to a larger farm at Priddy in the Mendip Hills where they currently maintain a herd of 160 cows, but very much with an eye to expansion. A consequence of the move was the need to build a brand new dairy unit which, of course, included a new milking parlour.
“We are comfortable with the way we do things,” says Michael Powell, “and we take pride in producing a high quality product. I appreciate that for many farmers robotic milking and other new technologies are absolutely the right way to go and have brought many benefits, but we are used to a traditional milking parlour and it suits the way we work.
“Our cows are only housed from October to April and the rest of the time they graze the pastures, so our routine is based around conventional milking.”
The Powells have always had DeLaval milking equipment and, with more space available in the new dairy unit, they opted for a 20 x 40 swing-over 50 degree herringbone parlour, supplied and installed by the T H WHITE Dairy Division. “It’s twice the size of the one we had before and it’s really simple to operate.” adds Michael. “With two of us we can milk in one and a half hours, and even with one person milking it’s still an easy process.”
DeLaval herringbone parlours offer great throughput, causing less stress for the cows while making life easier and safer for operators. Construction is strong and durable for a long life, a factor that Michael values highly: “A big plus for us with this type of parlour is that in years to come I know we will be able to update it to keep pace with milking methods and demands. It’s economical to operate and it gives us a strong degree of future-proofing in an ever-changing market.”
If you are thinking about installing or upgrading a conventional milking parlour, our Dairy specialists at Frome and Huntley can guide you on the right choices to help you get the most from your herd, time and resources. Call them at Frome on 01373 465941, or Huntley on 01452 830303
02 Feb 2021
Following the successful installation of the DeLaval VMS system at Lackham College, we were pleased to receive some great feedback from Farm Manager Phil Steans recently. “The cows are all milking well, quieter and faster than expected,” he said. “It’s a brilliant system, the process is outstanding and the robots phenomenal to watch. The cows are really taking well to the new system and the analytics are mind-blowing. Thank you T H WHITE!”
A further VMS unit has arrived on-site at Lackham and will shortly be installed as part of the new educational dairy facility which is enabling Wiltshire College and University Centre to offer a brand new University Level Dairy Engineering course for students aged 18 and over. The HNC and HND programmes are available either part-time or full-time across 1 or 2 years and will feature study into Livestock Production and Management; Technology, Automation and Robotics; Animal Genetics and Husbandry and Business Management & Accounting.
Apply online at https://www.wiltshire.ac.uk/study/hnd-agriculture-dairy-engineering-full-time
02 Feb 2021
AirWash Plus is a genuinely unique and outstanding Automatic Dip and Rinse (ADR) system which offers several key advantages not available elsewhere.
A major factor in controlling mastitis, AirWash Plus improves parlour efficiency by automatically dipping teats and flushing liners clean, ready for the next cow. Unlike other systems on the market, AirWash Plus can be installed into ANY make or type of milking parlour, as well as ANY make and type of cluster assembly and liners. It can also be used with ANY sprayable dip. This allows farmers to choose the clusters and liners that suit their cows best.
The AirWash Plus system is being used successfully on farms across the UK to milk thousands of cows every day.
Dramatic improvements in somatic cell counts, mastitis levels and labour savings are possible when the system is used as part of a dairy hygiene programme.
As well as being suitable for all types of parlour and compatible with all types for clusters and liners, AirWash-Plus is also simple to install, either in new parlours or in existing parlours.
1. The cows are milked as normal. When the automatic cluster remover gives the signal that milking has finished, the AirWash Plus programme is initiated.
2. As the process begins a special Y-joint releases a measured amount of teat dip which is mixed with compressed air.
4. The blast of air creates a fine spray of teat dip inside the injector spray-nozzle in the short milk tube of the liner. The dip goes on while the teat is extended and coats the teat end, while both the skin pores and the teat canal are open and receptive to disinfectant and emollients.
5. After the cluster is removed from the cow it returns to the ‘park’ position and the teat cup is02 Feb 2021
“One of the things I used to dread was evening milking. I would be thinking about it all day while I was doing other things – it just took the edge off a job that otherwise I really enjoyed.” So says Doug Roper of Roper Bloodstock (pictured right, above, with his brother Henry), whose dairy farm near Bromyard has a herd of 120, with around 107 in milk.
“Making it worse was the fact that our old Westfalia 8/16 parlour was completely worn out and the building that housed it was in a poor state. We knew we really had to start afresh and the turning point was the announcement of the Government’s Countryside Productivity Small Grants. The possibility of getting a grant unlocked the opportunity to redevelop our dairy.”
Doug began the application process in 2019 by seeking quotes from suppliers. “Given that we had the chance to make a significant change we were fairly sure that robotic milking was the path to take. The DeLaval Voluntary Milking System was impressive so as we were putting together our funding bid we began talks with T H WHITE’s VMS specialist Chris Newey.
“Once we started looking at the options Chris suggested that we would do well to consider the DeLaval V300 VMS units which had been announced in 2018 and were about to become available in the UK. That was good advice as the V300 in not only 50% faster than the previous model but also has 99.8% accuracy in attaching teat cups and is quieter – delivering a stress-free and relaxed experience for the cows.
“The more we looked at the project, the more convinced we became that the one thing we would not cut corners on were the VMS units – everything else could be as cheap as possible!”
With a firm proposal put together, the Ropers made a successful grant application and their new dairy installation was started in the autumn of 2019, with T H WHITE installing two V300 robotic milking units supported by DelPro software. It was ready for the first milking on 13 January 2020.
“As you would expect it took a little while for the cows to get used to the new set-up but generally they took to it very well and were much calmer being milked by robots,” said Doug. “The first part of the year – when the cows were inside – was quite easy to manage, but when outdoor grazing started we had a few challenges in getting the cows to come in when they needed milking. It was all part of the learning process – all we had to do was set up the grass areas so that the cows had to pass through the shed to get from one to another, and problem solved! It means a fair bit of fence moving but the amount of labour needed is nothing compared to conventional milking.”
After just over a year, the Ropers can take stock: “It really has been a success,” enthuses Doug. “Our milk yields are up around 20% and it has transformed the way we work – no longer do I dread evening milking! Most importantly the cows are happy, partly because of the new milking routine and partly because of two DeLaval swinging cow brushes which T H WHITE also put in. The animals love those, and there’s nothing better than a contented cow!”
If you would like to know more about DeLaval voluntary milking systems and the V300, call our VMS specialist Chris Newey on 07880 798475 and visit www.thwhitedairy.co.uk
02 Feb 2021
We have some great money saving offers on voluntary milking systems, DelPro upgrades and Evanza clusters plus attractive pricing on our best-selling Dairy spares.
Check our BEST SELLING DAIRY sundries too!
DeLaval Blockade
This ready-to-use, film-forming iodine teat dip makes use of I-tech (Free Iodine Technology) and ACT {Advanced Conditioning Technology). It optimally disinfects the teats and smooths the skin. It creates a fine elastic barrier that helps to protect against environmental bacteria.
20L: £108.70+VAT
200L: £771.00+VAT
DeLaval Calf Coats
Giving your calves a good start is an investment in your future.
Keep new born calves warm, strong and healthy to enhance their growth and performance in the cold weather.
• Water repellent
• Maintains body heat
• Reduces feed cost
From £28+VAT
DeLaval Milking Apron
This long, practical apron for parlour milking is made of waterproof PVC and stays flexible and comfortable even in cold conditions.
£18.30+VAT
02 Feb 2021
02 Feb 2021
Investing in equipment to separate slurry into liquid fractions has not only made muck handling easier for D and R Johnson & Son, but has also improved the quality of the end product, making it more valuable as a fertiliser.
Tom Johnson, who runs a 140-cow dairy herd at Middle Farm near Salisbury. with his wife and parents, says savings have been impressive.
He says: “Fertiliser costs have come down by about £3,000/year, equating to about £60-100/hectare since we have been applying separated slurry.
“I work closely with my agronomist and soil test regularly to ensure we are putting the correct rates on, but it is a lot more efficient than simply hauling it out with a muck spreader.”
Cattle are housed for four months of the year in two main cubicle houses, bedded on sawdust and with all feed passages under cover.
They receive a total mixed ration of grass, maize and whole crop, as well as being parlour-fed and the 8,000 to 9,000 litre yield for Mueller is 60 per cent forage based.
David and Tom Johnson
In 2018. Mr Johnson consulted local dealer T H WHITE about updating his slurry handling system.
Mr Johnson says: “We had an old concrete ramp to push muck up into the spreader and we scraped into a reception pit leading to the lagoon, but with Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) regulations coming into force to restrict spreading, we soon found that we were lacking storage capacity.”
T H WHITE’s slurry specialist Bob Gallop specified a Bauer separator to remove solids from the slurry and make more of the lagoon’s capacity. The muck ramp was also removed and, instead, muck scraped over slats into a reception pit before being pumped to the gantry-mounted separator. Separated liquids are then pumped into the existing lagoon and solids pushed into a clamp at the side of the lagoon; parlour washings are treated separately.
Removing solids from the slurry also means it can be applied more frequently with less risk of contaminating the sward.
Slurry is spread from the 1.5 million litre capacity lagoon on the 13.5ha of farmland via the farm’s tanker.
In the next growing season, the plan is to improve the nitrogen uptake further by applying the slurry to the pastures using a Storth 7.5m dribble bar, putting it closer to the roots of the sward.
Mr Johnson says: “We have used a splash plate in the past, but our location is very windy and we want to improve the precision of the operation.
“Because we used to struggle for capacity, the pressure was to get the lagoon empty as soon as the NVZ window opened, but now applications can be more targeted after first cut silage and on the maize ground.”
The project was grant-aided by the Rural Development Programme for England Leader Funding Programme (now closed for new applications due to the UK leaving the EU) which covered 40 per cent of the investment. Plans for the scheme were drawn up by T H WHITE’s Bob Gallop.
Mr Johnson says: “Getting grant funding was a big help and it is not an especially complex process. We filled out the forms and submitted the plans and it came together quite quickly.”
Bob Gallop, T H WHITE Slurry Specialist
T H WHITE offers back-up for the system and Mr Johnson says it is low maintenance, with only one grease point.
Checking the levels and keeping an eye out for foreign objects, which tend to be filtered out by the slats, are the other routine tasks.
Mr Johnson says: “The separator has also taken pressure off the other machinery as there is no need to push muck up a ramp. The system also fitted into our existing layout, so there was no requirement for building changes or planning permission.”
One benefit of the development is that the newfound lagoon capacity allows for potential expansion, an option Mr Johnson is considering with space available in the cubicles and parlour for an extra 20-30 cows.
A further update may include the installation of a tower in the future, as the existing lagoon is not covered and rainfall can impact on capacity.
With grateful thanks to Farmers Guardian Insight, who have allowed us to post this article which first appeared in FGI December 2020 issue.
01 Dec 2020
DeLaval DelPro™ – the ultimate dairy farm management resource – has just been upgraded to help you keep even closer tabs on your animals and workflow.
Forgetting to refresh the monitor board is a common issue, so there is now an auto-refresh feature to ensure you always have the most up to date information. Other useful new features include the ability to record and track animal health checks, combine multiple vaccination protocols for a single vet visit, ‘invite’ animals to timed AI protocols to overcome abnormalities and get them in calf sooner, as well as separating animals into different treatment categories.
These updates and many others make DelPro FarmManager 5.5 the best release of the software to date, so talk to your T H WHITE dairy rep to upgrade.
DeLaval cow brushes promote improved cow health and welfare.
It’s no secret that cows that feel well also perform well. The swinging cow brush (1) is the cows’ favourite, grooming all over and stimulating blood circulation.
An alternative is the stationary brush (2) which can be installed anywhere in a barn or outdoors providing a safe way for cows to remove skin or parasites, also being suitable for calves and goats.
If you are farming smaller animals such as goats or you have calves, the mini swinging brush (3) is ideal, keeping the animals calm and clean as well as lowering the risk of skin disease. It’s also easy to change height.
Keep new born calves warm, strong and healthy to enhance their growth and performance during the cold weather to come this winter.
DeLaval yield indicator FI7 When milk yield from each cow is monitored accurately, you gain key data for efficient herd management. This compact yield indicator provides:
• Robust design with no moving parts
• Milk yield available cow side
• Additional monitoring of liner slips,
kick offs and cluster inlet blocks**
DeLaval milk meter MM27BC This is a highly accurate ICAR approved milk meter which also monitors any blood traces in the milk, conductivity levels, kick-off and air entry in the liners. It offers fast milk yield monitoring and better control of cow health.
• Milk is measured continuously
• Monitors blood presence, milk conductivity and milk out performances*
• It is not dependent on a central computer.
Calf milk heaterThis immersion heater has a curved, cross-shaped Teflon heating element for homogeneous heating and easy cleaning.
Top quality milk means higher profits. To achieve this requires efficient, consistent cleaning of your milking system.
Milk deposits must be removed from the milking equipment after milking. If this is not done in an efficient and consistent way, it will have a negative effect on all milk passing through the system. DeLaval cleaning unit C200 is supplied as one unit, allowing efficient installation, operation and monitoring.
This fully programmable unit is electronically controlled, to provide a cleaning system that meets your exact milking plant requirements. This unit provides low running costs. The C200 is available in 40 litres, 80 litres, 160 litres and as a stand-alone unit. A wide range of accessories are available for the C200.
01 Nov 2020
DeLaval cow brushes promote improved cow health and welfare.
It’s no secret that cows that feel well also perform well. The swinging cow brush (1) is the cows’ favourite, grooming all over and stimulating blood circulation.
An alternative is the stationary brush (2) which can be installed anywhere in a barn or outdoors providing a safe way for cows to remove skin or parasites, also being suitable for calves and goats.
If you are farming smaller animals such as goats or you have calves, the mini swinging brush (3) is ideal, keeping the animals calm and clean as well as lowering the risk of skin disease. It’s also easy to change height.
Keep new born calves warm, strong and healthy to enhance their growth and performance during the cold weather to come this winter.
DeLaval yield indicator FI7 When milk yield from each cow is monitored accurately, you gain key data for efficient herd management. This compact yield indicator provides:
• Robust design with no moving parts
• Milk yield available cow side
• Additional monitoring of liner slips,
kick offs and cluster inlet blocks**
DeLaval milk meter MM27BC This is a highly accurate ICAR approved milk meter which also monitors any blood traces in the milk, conductivity levels, kick-off and air entry in the liners. It offers fast milk yield monitoring and better control of cow health.
• Milk is measured continuously
• Monitors blood presence, milk conductivity and milk out performances*
• It is not dependent on a central computer.
Calf milk heaterThis immersion heater has a curved, cross-shaped Teflon heating element for homogeneous heating and easy cleaning.
Top quality milk means higher profits. To achieve this requires efficient, consistent cleaning of your milking system.
Milk deposits must be removed from the milking equipment after milking. If this is not done in an efficient and consistent way, it will have a negative effect on all milk passing through the system. DeLaval cleaning unit C200 is supplied as one unit, allowing efficient installation, operation and monitoring.
This fully programmable unit is electronically controlled, to provide a cleaning system that meets your exact milking plant requirements. This unit provides low running costs. The C200 is available in 40 litres, 80 litres, 160 litres and as a stand-alone unit. A wide range of accessories are available for the C200.
01 Nov 2020
A major milestone in the creation of a dairy engineering teaching facility was reached on 21 October when the first cows were brought into the new cubicle shed.
The 140-cow dairy unit is part of a Wiltshire College & University Centre initiative which will result in an undergraduate Dairy Engineering course at the Lackham Campus, designed to equip students for the next generation of dairy farming, making the most of new technologies and techniques. Construction of the new teaching unit is being supported by the T H WHITE Dairy division and DeLaval in partnership with the College.
Plans were progressed through 2019 and the project was launched with the signing of an agreement of cooperation in January. Although the objective had been to complete the unit in time to commence the new teaching course by the end of 2020 a number of unforeseen factors have caused delay.
Mike Howes, T H WHITE’s project manager, explains: “At the start we faced the need to re-house bats from an old building that had to be demolished, then we suffered unprecedented rainfall which really set the construction back. In late March, of course, we had lockdown. You couldn’t make it up!”
As soon as work became possible again the team really pulled the stops out and the structure of the new building was completed with flooring, drainage channels and internal walls soon installed. “By mid-October we had installed two DeLaval VMS robotic milking units, with a third one that will be used for training to be installed by the end of the year” says Mike.
“Now that the cows are in their cubicles and the slurry lagoon is operational, we expect to be milking with the new machines within four weeks. Given the setbacks, we are really proud that the new dairy unit will be ready for the first students in 2021.”
Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded an HND in Agriculture (Dairy Engineering), accredited by Pearson.
To learn more about the Lackham Dairy Engineering Course, or to apply for a place starting in 2021, go to www.wiltshire.ac.uk.
01 Nov 2020
Although we are entering the coldest months of the year, it doesn’t take much stretch of the memory to recall the blisteringly hot summer with air temperatures regularly exceeding 30 degrees.
If anything, summers in the UK are predicted to get even hotter, so although cooling may not be at the top of your concerns right now, it’s the right time to start thinking about cow shed ventilation.
It’s a fact that cool cows are productive cows. The more cows eat, the more milk they produce. But when temperatures rise above 22°C (72°F), cows begin to experience heat stress and lose their appetite. Reduced feed intake means lower milk yield and also decreases pregnancy rates. An effective ventilation system should help to reduce heat stress, increase yield, and clear the air in your barn.
A key element in good barn ventilation is an effective fan system. Dairy farmer Hugh Miles from Witham Friary, Somerset, decided to get ahead of the game in order to keep his cows cool this summer by installing barn fans before the heat started to rise.
Last year the T H WHITE Dairy Department installed two DeLaval V310 voluntary milking units at Hugh’s farm and he contacted our Dairy specialists again for advice on the cooling systems.
“The T H WHITE team carried out a survey in the shed and, with input from DeLaval, they worked out the best configuration of fans and positioning to achieve maximum airflow,” said Hugh. “We went for 12 DeLaval DDF1200 fans which were installed in April.
“Soon after that the temperatures were nudging 33 or 34 degrees, but the cows didn’t have to go out in the sun. Instead, they stayed in the shed where the fans ensured they remained cool and comfortable. It wasn’t just the cows that benefitted – it was a lot more comfortable for our people too!”
The unique frame design of the DeLaval dairy farm DDF1200 helps to push air-stream further, achieving a greater cooling effect with less energy than conventional fans. The highly efficient IE3 electrical motors, coupled with the ability to alter blade configurations to suit different airflow requirements, deliver the right balance of efficiency and performance. The durable, corrosion-resistant fan is both easy to install and easy to maintain.
“The fans have certainly proved their worth,” Hugh added. “The cool atmosphere in the shed through the summer resulted in an increased yield of around 1½ litres of milk per cow per day.”
The benefits are clear. If you are planning to keep your cows cool next summer, now is the time to think about DeLaval dairy fans. As well as supplying the fans, T H WHITE can take care of all the installation for you with an integrated system that regulates performance to suit conditions and keep your running costs to a minimum.
01 Oct 2020
After more than a century of developing some of the world’s best milking systems, DeLaval has launched what it describes quite simply as “the best parlour we have ever made.”
Benefiting from a clean-sheet design and blue sky thinking from the start, the all-new DeLaval Parlour Milking System P500 is a complete change from conventional parallel parlour design. P500 has been built to create a safer, calmer, more comfortable, efficient and productive environment for your cows and workers. It adds up to higher yields, less time spent milking and calm, healthy cows with reduced incidence of mastitis.
At the heart of the design are three key innovations: the SynchroSweep™ sequencing gate, the SynchroArc™ neck rail, and SynchroControl™ which puts everything at your fingertips.
The sequencing gates are not mounted in the floor; instead they are elevated and out of the way meaning there are no obstructions for cows entering the parlour. The individual gate indexing is a great feature too where a herd has cows of varied sizes. Because the sequence gates are made from HDPE they are light and very robust, plus they don’t overlap so they are quiet in operation, resulting in a calmer milking cycle for the animals. The gates are also removed during milking for added cow during milking for added cow comfort.
DeLaval SynchroArc™ is much more than an open-bottom neck rail with no obstructions. It has been designed to increase milking routine efficiency with a smaller footprint and fewer vertical space requirements. Everything from the open, bottle-shaped design to the unique ‘up and away’ action of the SynchroArc™ means you can load sooner, exit faster and milk with consistent indexing.
After milking the SynchroSweep™ gates are lifted clear, encouraging cows to leave the milking platform in a rapid but calm manner – up to 56% faster than with a conventional parlour.
SynchroControl™ is where everything comes together. The system delivers more information, more functions and more technology than DeLaval has ever offered before, combined with ease of use for the operator. You can choose between All-Exit/All-Index, All-Exit/Gang-Index or Gang-Exit/Gang-Index as you please, while you only need to use a single button to control the exit of the previous group and the loading of the next group.
The DeLaval Parlour P500 is solidly constructed, but also highly space-efficient, offering a reduction in platform width of up to 30% and a maximum ceiling height requirement of only 2.45m. That makes it ideal not only for new parlour installations but also foR retro-fit installations.
For details of the remarkable new DeLaval Parlour Milking System P500, just contact the T H WHITE Dairy team, at Frome 01373 465941, or Huntley 01452 830303.
01 Oct 2020
Keep new born calves warm, strong and healthy to enhance their growth and performance during the cold weather to come this winter.
Calf milk heaterThis immersion heater has a curved, cross-shaped Teflon heating element for homogeneous heating and easy cleaning.
Contact your local THW Dairy branch for capital sales Frome: 01373 465941 and Huntley 01452 830303, or your local van sales rep for parts and sundries.
01 Oct 2020
T H WHITE Dairy Division is offering these 20m3 EB side discharge bulk bin silos for sale on behalf of a customer. One has never been used, the other is six months old.
Designed in accordance with Euro-code norms, they are manufactured with EB Equipment’s unique blend of polyester glass reinforced plastic – corrosion resistant and UV stabilised for long life. Both have top access hatches with ventilation, a smooth interior and 60° cone angle for consistent content flow. They feature single-piece cone and body construction with superior thermal insulation values compared to steel.
The supporting steel work is fully welded from structural hollow section and hot dip galvanised. Fill pipe includes long radius bends. A ventilation pipe maintains internal ambient temperature. Outlet height is 2.8m at 1m from front leg assemblies.
To enquire further, please contact George Eno on 07483 064724.
01 Oct 2020
DeLaval DelPro™ – the ultimate dairy farm management resource – has just been upgraded to help you keep even closer tabs on your animals and workflow.
Forgetting to refresh the monitor board is a common issue, so there is now an auto-refresh feature to ensure you always have the most up to date information. Other useful new features include the ability to record and track animal health checks, combine multiple vaccination protocols for a single vet visit, ‘invite’ animals to timed AI protocols to overcome abnormalities and get them in calf sooner, as well as separating animals into different treatment categories.
These updates and many others make DelPro FarmManager 5.5 the best release of the software to date, so talk to your T H WHITE dairy rep to upgrade.
DeLaval cow brushes promote improved cow health and welfare.
It’s no secret that cows that feel well also perform well. The swinging cow brush (1) is the cows’ favourite, grooming all over and stimulating blood circulation.
An alternative is the stationary brush (2) which can be installed anywhere in a barn or outdoors providing a safe way for cows to remove skin or parasites, also being suitable for calves and goats.
If you are farming smaller animals such as goats or you have calves, the mini swinging brush (3) is ideal, keeping the animals calm and clean as well as lowering the risk of skin disease. It’s also easy to change height.
Cleaning unit C200 is supplied as one unit, allowing efficient installation, operation and monitoring.
This fully programmable unit is electronically controlled, to provide a cleaning system that meets your exact milking plant requirements. This unit provides low running costs. The C200 is available in 40 litres, 80 litres, 160 litres and as a stand-alone unit. A wide range of accessories are available for the C200.
Contact your local THW Dairy branch for capital sales Frome: 01373 465941 and Huntley 01452 830303, or your local van sales rep for parts and sundries.
01 Sep 2020
Iobac
Iobac is an iodine based teat disinfectant that can be used before and after milking. It offers protection against a broad spectrum of mastitis causing micro-organisms.
• Containing 1500 ppm iodine in ready to use solution
• Excellent disinfecting properties
• Formulated with pH close to teat skin
• Available in concentrated or read to use solution
20 Litres: £29 + VAT
C-AlkaClean
A chlorinated alkaline cleaning product for milking and cooling equipment that effectively removes milk residues.
An effective cleaning routine will contribute to a premium milk quality and reduce the risk of bacteria growth in the milking installation.
• Alkalinity to address fat
• Chlorine to remove protein residues
• For use in alkaline dominant routines or alternate cleaning routines
• Effective in soft to medium water conditions
20 Litres: £15 + VAT
From your T H WHITE Dairy branch or your local van sales rep.
01 Sep 2020
Milk monitoring: Upgrade your milk meters or flow indicators
DeLaval yield indicator FI7
When milk yield from each cow is monitored accurately, you gain key data for efficient herd management. This compact yield indicator provides:
• A robust design with no moving parts
• Milk yield available cow side
• Additional monitoring of liner slips, kick offs and cluster inlet blocks**
DeLaval milk meter MM27BC
This is a highly accurate ICAR approved milk meter which also monitors any blood traces in the milk, conductivity levels, kick-off and air entry in the liners. It offers fast milk yield monitoring and better control of cow health.
• Milk is measured continuously
• Monitors blood presence, milk conductivity and milk out performances*
• It is not dependent on a central computer.
• Low service cost – no movable parts.
Contact your local THW Dairy branch for capital sales Frome: 01373 465941 and Huntley 01452 830303 or your local van sales rep for parts and sundries.
Also, see us at The Dairy Show, Bath & West Showground, 7 October 2020. See bathandwest.com/the-dairy-show to confirm go-ahead and latest details.
Terms and conditions apply; * Blood and Conductivity function not available on MP100 series.** Not all functions available on all systems.
01 Sep 2020
01 Jul 2020
Research has shown that regular use of the DeLaval swinging cow brush can lead to a significant reduction in clinical mastitis and up to one litre more milk per cow per day.
As a swinging cow brush is pretty much in use around the clock, its bristles – just as with any brush that is used on a daily basis – become worn and less effective over time. Replacing the Delaval swinging cow brush cylinder helps keep your cows clean, calm, healthy and productive.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you freshen-up your brush on an annual basis by replacing the head – AT THE SPECIAL OFFER PRICE OF £100+VAT UNTIL 31 AUGUST ONLY!
You or your T H WHITE technician can simply replace the head in a matter of minutes.
Whether you need a permanent fence or temporary fence, DeLaval has a wide range of products to match your needs.
DeLaval plastic posts are made from a durable material and have several fixed insulators. The foot has a spike for driving into the ground.
DeLaval Polywire offers a cost-effective solution with copper conductor strands for excellent conductivity. This long-life wire is available in orange, white or blue.
You will need the right insulators to make your fencing safe and durable, regardless of whether you are using permanent or temporary fences, or are using wire, rope or tape. DeLaval insulators are suitable for wire or rope up to 4mm and are supplied in quantities of 100 pieces,
DeLaval parts and accessories are available from our Dairy departments in Frome and Huntley. Offers are valid until 31 August 2020.
01 Jul 2020
Despite many inevitable challenges presented by the coronavirus lockdown, the new dairy unit that will play a key part in training students for a new undergraduate Dairy Engineering qualification is taking shape rapidly.
The course is being offered by Wiltshire College & University Centre and will be based at the Lackham campus just outside Chippenham. T H WHITE is partnering with the College in construction of a state-of-art extension to the dairy unit featuring two of the latest DeLaval VMS V300 robotic milking units, an advanced Bauer slurry control system plus a day/night LED lighting system. The complete project will benefit from industry-leading DeLaval software.
Lackham’s course, which will be supported going forward by T H WHITE with continuing input and resources, is designed to address the skills gap in the dairy sector. Focusing on the remarkable technological advances in dairying which have given us advanced robotic milking and precision herd management to a standard that simply didn’t exist only a few years ago, the course will give students a firm grounding in the latest developments, allied to a strong career advantage in this fast-changing area of farming.
The steel frame of the new dairy unit on the Lackham campus was well advanced in June.
T H WHITE is acting as project manager for the new build, working closely with the College management team at Lackham and the main contractor, Haines Construction (Southern) Ltd. Our ‘man on the ground’ Mike Howes charts the progress so far: “There were some delays at the start,” he says, “as we were not permitted to demolish a few old buildings on site until planning consent had been granted for the new building. Then we had to implement some careful management of the water table during the extremely wet weather in February.
“When the virus broke out and demand in the construction sector tailed off, we were able to take advantage of the availability of steel and galvanising services to get all the necessary materials on site.”
Inside the building the slurry channel, as well as block walls for the VMS units and teaching spaces take shape.
These photos, taken on 25 June, show the structural steel work in place and blockwork for the VMS milking stations and classrooms in progress. “We were about three weeks behind schedule after the lockdown,” Mike added, “but we’ve now recovered at least two of those. We are still aiming to have cows in by September, with the building ready for students by October.”
T H WHITE managing director Alex Scott has played a key role in bringing the project to fruition. “Considering the challenges that have already been thrown at us in 2020,
I am delighted that we have managed to keep the project on track,” he said. “The performance of the whole team in making it happen has been most impressive.”
Amanda Burnside, principal of Wiltshire College & University Centre, Lackham, said “The progress on this wonderful new facility has been remarkable. We are confident that the new course starting this autumn will offer students many first class career opportunities and we look forward to welcoming them.”
To learn more about the Lackham Dairy Engineering Course, or to apply for a place starting this September, go to www.wiltshire.ac.uk. Applications are now open and there is a helpful FAQ section on the website to guide you through the process.
01 Jun 2020
DeLaval Prima Plus is a highly efficient teat dip incorporating a well balanced blend of two active ingredients, hydrogen peroxide and salicylic acid for a broad disinfecting spectrum. It is especially designed to be used in automatic spraying systems, but can also be dipped. The DART technology boosts the efficacy of the dual actives, causing them to be rapidly effective at low levels, thus remaining gentle to teats. Available in 20l, 60l, 200l and 1,000l.
DeLaval PeraDis is a broad spectrum disinfectant proven to be effective against FMDV (Foot and Mouth Disease Virus), environmental bacteria, pathogenic bacteria, thermo-resistant bacteria and viruses. Based on hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid, it can be used as a food area disinfectant (liners, clusters, bulk tanks, milk pipelines) and is particularly effective as a boot wash. It can also be used at up to 60-70 deg C.
Both these chemicals are available in 20l containers at just £40 ex-VAT until 31 August – from our Dairy departments.
03 Feb 2020
T H WHITE has joined forces with Wiltshire College & University Centre to create a state-of-the-art robotic dairy parlour supporting the development of a dedicated undergraduate Dairy Engineering qualification.
The course, scheduled to begin in September this year, will be based at the College’s Lackham Campus near Chippenham where the 1,700-acre site is home to three working farms. The existing 140-cow dairy unit will be augmented with a new robotic milking parlour featuring two of the latest DeLaval VMS V300 robotic milking units, an advanced Bauer slurry control system plus a day/night LED lighting system. The complete project will be controlled by industry-leading DeLaval software.
Students will be introduced to the remarkable technological advancements that are revolutionising the dairy industry and will be able to study engineering and automation in a real-world environment against a background of business management and animal husbandry. As a full-time two-year course it will lead to a Level 4 BTEC higher qualification (a HND), or part time (HNC). With an entry requirement of a Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject (many of which are already offered at Lackham), the course will be particularly attractive to 16-18 year olds pursuing a rewarding career path.
Amanda Burnside, Principal of Wiltshire College & University Centre, Lackham, and T H WHITE CEO Alex Scott, signing the historic agreement.
Commenting on the new course, Amanda Burnside, Principal at the College, said “We are very proud to have designed and created the first dedicated dairy qualification for the sector, aimed at students with a passion for agricultural technology, engineering, science and automation. The new facilities we are building at Lackham, backed by £9 million funding from the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, will be the envy of other farm automation learning providers and will, no doubt, create an amazing training environment for our students”.
Plans for the partnership between the College, T H WHITE and DeLaval have progressed during 2019 and a formal agreement of the joint cooperation has been signed. The initiative is now only subject to planning consent for which an application has been submitted with a decision expected in March. Work on the site will then be expedited, all efforts being co-ordinated towards the new facility and teaching rooms being ready to open soon after the start of the course in September.
As well as installing the new robotic parlour, T H WHITE will be supporting the course by committing to deliver lecture sessions during the year in which CEO Alex Scott and other senior members of the T H WHITE team will discuss business development and innovation in agriculture, with Head of Dairy Nigel Ellis covering the latest in robotic milking, feeding, fertility and other strategies for increased milk yield.
“We believe this initiative is exactly what is required to address the skills gap in the dairy sector,” said Alex Scott, “and we are delighted to be working in partnership with the College, as well as industry innovator DeLaval to make it happen. The course will lay a pathway to an attractive career combining technology and farming. To expand the range of studies T H WHITE will provide several work experience placements and offer student access to the company’s Frome-based business, from where our expert dairy team operates.”
Ciaran Murphy of DeLaval sees the new course as a great opportunity to attract more technically-minded young people to dairying: “DeLaval pioneered the Voluntary Milking System and today’s robotic arm on the VMS V300 units is quite something to see in action! Not only does it reduce labour requirements, making milking quick and efficient, but it is also comfortable for the cow. Integrating it with our herd navigator software enables constant monitoring of many health and reproductive factors for each animal, resulting in optimum herd management and higher yields.
“By participating in the partnership at Lackham, DeLaval can provide students with the hands-on experience and technical knowledge that will give them a strong career advantage in this fast-changing area of farming,” said Ciaran.
To learn more about the College’s Dairy Engineering Course at Lackham or to apply for a place, go to www.wiltshire.ac.uk. Applications are now open and places for this pioneering course are certain be in high demand!
02 Jan 2020
The sweeping downland of Salisbury plain outside the village of Shrewton is host to Middle Farm, where the Johnson family have been dairy farming since 1986.
Although still a medium size dairy operation, Middle Farm’s herd has grown progressively over the years and today 140 cows are being milked. Like all dairy farmers, the Johnsons have faced the challenge of slurry disposal, turning what could have been be a problem into a benefit. Tom Johnson takes up the story:
“We needed to increase our capacity for slurry handling and create a situation where we could more easily use the end products on our own 350 acres of farmland. Most ofthe land is either used for grazing or growing feed, so producing our own fertilizer contributes positively to the economics.
“Luckily our decision to tackle the job coincided with two things: eligibility for grant aid and a chance meeting with 
T H WHITE’s slurry specialist Bob Gallop at an agricultural show. We hadn’t worked with T H WHITE before but we instantly warmed to Bob – he really knows his subject and he was able to help us towards the right solutions.”
As well as specifying the necessary hardware, Bob introduced the Johnsons to Agribuild who participated in the tender for the groundworks and building elements of the project.
The tenders from T H WHITE and Agribuild were competitive and work on the new slurry installation was completed in April 2019. A new collection tank and solids bunker was constructed and fitted with a Bauer 655 separator pump and a MEX mixer, also from Bauer. These ensure that the nutrients are dispersed evenly and the separator divides the solids and liquid elements.
“The liquid has a high nitrogen content,” says Tom, “so we can apply that to the land with a dribble bar. The dry solid residue is now much easier to handle too and is also high in nitrogen, but it’s slow release nitrogen which makes it very useful on the fields.
“After less than a year we have already cut our fertiliser bill by a third as a result of recycling the farm’s slurry in this way – strong proof, it were needed, that we made the right choices!”
02 Jan 2020
Martin Hann has followed in family footsteps as a lifelong dairy farmer. His father moved to Rodden Down Farm outside Frome in the 1960s, and now Martin, his wife Susie and their son Ryan have embraced robotic milking technology as part of a major upgrade for the future.
The new installation, which has been in use since April 2019, is truly impressive, featuring an expansive new shed, four DeLaval Voluntary Milking System (VMS) milking stations supported by DeLaval Herd Navigator software, a 20,000 litre feed silo, a pair of DeLaval OptiDuo auto feeders and robotic scrapers.
The Hanns have recently increased the number of cows being milked to just under 200 and there are plans to expand further to around 240. Based on a nominal figure of 60 cows for each VMS station, the new shed is set out in four sections, each with its own milking station.
Before the upgrade Martin and Susie milked in a tandem parlour: “I always thought that was a good system and if I had to go back to more traditional milking I would probably choose a tandem again,” he says, “but VMS technology has always attracted me. At first I wondered whether it would be suitable at Rodden Down as our cows spend time inside but are also free to graze on the surrounding pastures in the summer. Systems have moved on a lot in the last 15 years and we have put in automated pasture gates which allow the cows to come in and out as they wish; experience so far shows that they always return for milking.
“Now each cow is being milked on average 2.6 times a day instead of twice, with a consequent rise in yield. As you would expect, it has also made our lives a lot easier, giving us more time to attend to other aspects of the farm, but the real boon for us has been DeLaval’s Herd Navigator.”
This remarkable herd management system analyses milk samples to give detailed health and fertility profiles for each cow. It consistently predicts heats in the herd with a high degree of accuracy enabling accurate insemination. It will also detect clinical and sub-clinical mastitis up to three or four days before clinical signs are visible in the animals affected, as well as other health issues.
“Accurate identification of fertility has been a huge plus for us as it has meant we can keep the number of milking cows level throughout the year,” adds Martin.
An intriguing item among the farm’s new equipment is one of the first DeLaval OptiDuo robotic feed pushers in the UK. This battery powered unit follows a guidance cable buried in the concrete surface, using a twin-spiral rotating auger to remix feed and push it closer to the feeding rail without damaging or crushing the roughage. It can be programmed to workaround the clock, meaning that cows have access to feed 24 hours a day. This allows heifers and lower ranked cows the same opportunity to feed, with less stress and competition from dominant cows.
With robotic scrapers added to the other new kit, Rodden Down Farm is well placed to compete effectively in the constantly evolving dairy industry.
