Robert Smith and his son Stuart milk 100 plus cows on the outskirts of Londonderry city. The herd is full pedigree – prefix Prehen - with both Robert and Stuart committed to managing modern Holstein cows to the highest possible standard.
This approach is reflected in the Smiths’ breeding programmes - they regularly use embryo transfer as a means of improving genetic merit – and their commitment to ongoing capital investment on the farm. The most recent example of this was the completion of a new cubicle house for 60 bulling heifers, dry cows and milking stock. The building project was designed and undertaken by Coleraine-based Wilson Agriculture.
“The new building is 80 feet by 60 feet,” Stuart explained.
“We needed to increase or slurry storage facilities on the farm in order to meet the requirements of the Nitrates’ Directive. So we put in a new slurry tank with the grant aid that was available under the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme. We then decided to put a house on top of the tank. The job of designing and building it was given over to Wilson Agriculture.”
The new shed features Wilson Agriculture’s double and single cubicles, featuring poly pillows and pasture matting with 20 mm foam insert and a premium cover. The cubicles have 45 inch centres with the doubles having a combined length of fifteen and a half feet. Also specified in the design was Wilson Agriculture’s self locking head rails. These are extremely useful when it comes to inseminating the cows or carrying out embryo transfer procedures.
“The stock are now well settled into the new house,” Robert confirmed.
“We wanted to provide thre maximum degree of comfort for the cows and the young stock. It is evident already that the animals are responding accordingly in their new environment.”
But this is by no means the end of the story. Robert and Stuart now want to retro fit an existing cubicle house on the farm. And to get an angle on the latest design and animal management options that are available both will be attending the Dairy Efficiency Seminar taking place at CAFRE Greenmount on Tuesday April 13th. The event will be hosted by Wilson Agriculture
“This unique seminar will provide local milk producers with a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to hear a selection of the world’s leading building design and construction experts discussing how new build and the conversion of existing units can best be achieved,” explained Andrew Wilson of Wilson Agriculture.
“I am aware that significant numbers of dairy farmers here in Northern Ireland want to improve the quality of the buildings, which are home to their animals for an increasing period of the year. The seminar is a ‘must attend’ event for dairy farmers looking to invest in the future of their businesses.”
The conference will be split into morning and afternoon sessions. The delegate fee, which will include lunch and a comprehensive information pack, is £40 per person.
Dates:
13th April - Greenmount College - Belfast
15th April - Harper Adams - Shropshire - UK
Those wishing to attend can book on line at www.wilsonagri.co.uk/seminars . Phone (028) 70 868430
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