Ventilation in Dairy Buildings

This article was published in Farmers Weekly back in October 2010. Now is the time to consider ventilation so take a look and let Wilson Agriculture help you get ready for this winter:

Many farmers have the potential to reduce mastitis incidence by tackling ventilation in existing cattle buildings, according to Jamie Robertson, Livestock Management Systems. "Ventilation can directly influence the survival rates of E coli and Strep uberis. For example, when bacteria is aerosolised - as with airflow across a straw bed or cubicle - loss of water molecules by evaporation may cause loss of microbial activity."

Fresh air also influences survival rates, with E coli demonstrating a 97% mortality rate after being exposed to fresh air for 90 minutes.

However, according to Mr Robertson, half of all buildings are inadequately ventilated for the animals housed in them. "People often emphasise nutrition and stocking rate in dry cow sheds, but too often I see these animals housed in grotty buildings.

"Problems are rarely a result of inappropriate stocking density, but more because of insufficient removal of vast quantities of heat and moisture," he said.

When ventilation is not up to scratch, moisture is unable to escape, landing on beds and creating an ideal environment for mastitis causing bacteria.

"We need to get the environment working against pathogens and for animals. A common misconception is that, because a building has some vents in the roof, it will ventilate adequately. But a building with only 50% of the required outlet area will only provide ventilation for 50% of stock housed.

"When air speed drops to calm, the only way fresh air can enter the building is when air leaves the building. With inadequate outlets, there will be an increase in heat and moisture."

And Mr Robertson said that any opposition to putting holes in the roof is misplaced as concerns over water entering the building can be managed by using a covered open ridge. Most rain ingress will also be prevented by the warm air leaving the building.

"Ventilation and stack effect requires a basic matching of inlet and outlet areas to be able to work to maximum efficiency. The relationship between inlet and outlet areas is building specific. But at minimum, an inlet to outlet ratio of 2:1 and typically 4:1 is recommended

Gold Cup winners open Day

Wilson Agriculture were proud to attend the RABDF Gold Cup winners open day on Wednesday 29th June. This was held at Kingspool Farm, Iron Acton, Bristol.

Congratulations to Chris and Mike King and their team.

We are please to supply all the cubicles and self locking feed barriers for this award winning unit.

Glastonbury founder still a bona fide farmer

Great to see an article from the Farmers Weekly about our customer, Michael Eavis. He hosts the Glastonbury pop festival on his farm in Somerset, UK, and has a very nice cubicle building.

Article source: http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2011/06/15/127345/Glastonbury-founder-still-a-bona-fide-farmer.htm

"Michael Eavis offered a glimpse into what it's like juggling life as a dairy farmer and host of the world's biggest music festival this week.

Talking to a paying audience on London's Southbank on Tuesday, the Somerset farmer (and Farmers Weekly subscriber) described how the festival has to be meticulously planned around his dairy herd.

Four weeks before 140,000 festival-goers descend on the 364ha (900-acre) site, his cows are brought into their winter housing - dubbed the "Mootel" - for the duration of the festival. Moving them early, Mr Eavis explained, is a necessary precaution to minimise the risk of E coli."

Here are some pictures of his Mootel:

Recent installation

This is a recent installation in Northern Ireland.

This unit has be set up for two milk robots.

It uses our floor mounted C50 cubicles, Pasture Mat mattresses

with Premium Pad and also the moovApillow.

Wilson Agriculture were pleased to be invited to talk at the Robotic Planning seminars last week. There are more planned in the future and details can be found at: www.healthycows.co.uk

Here is a report from the Farmers Guardian:

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/livestock/livestock-features/good-cow-flows-are-an-essential/38951.article

Good cow flows are an essential

May 20, 2011

CREATING cow flow and access were key considerations when designing housing incorporating robots, as it encouraged the voluntary movement of cows to the robot and allows for good observation.

This meant allowing one square meter per 1,000 litres per year, according to Ivor Davey from Wilson Agriculture, who said this equated to 8-8.5 square meters per cow for an average herd, and 10 square meters for a herd giving 10,000 litres.

Also advising a minimum 4.5m distance to the feed barrier and 3m for other passages, he said sufficient cross-overs were essential as exit routes and 5m should be left between the robots and the closest cubicle.

“Cows should also be able to see the robot and will visit it more if they can, so high walls and very long buildings – of more than 40m – should be avoided,” he said.

Planning robots within existing buildings was a compromise that often had to be made but could offer considerable savings.

First design

Any investment, however, should be made as part of a 10 or 15 year plan, so proposed expansion could be built into the first design.

An example development he cited which allowed 10 square meters per cow had cost £1,250 per cow place, around £200 more than a seven square meter per cow unit.

Open Panel discussion with five milk robot manufacturers:

Farm open day

On Friday 13th May we were very pleased to be involved

with the Y Farms open day at Manor Farm Dairy, Shepton Mallet.

This is an impressive unit and there were over 200 farmers

in attendance.

New time-lapse video from UK unit

New Mattress launch - Promat Gel Mat

Job Vacancy with Wilson Agriculture - Northern England

Northern England and borders

SALES & CONSULTANCY POSITION

Are you looking for a flexible position with the opportunity to develop your skills?

Wilson Agriculture are looking for someone who is a good communicator and enthusiastic. A clean drivers license and IT skills are essential. Ideally, you will be of graduate calibre with a strong Agricultural or marketing background. The successful candidate will also preferably have dairy experience.

Building on an existing established customer base, you will be expected to develop both direct and dealer sales, while offering advice on primarily Dairy housing, with some input in the development of the Stable comfort brand. You will be working as part of a growing international team for a friendly family business.

The successful candidate will be provided with an attractive commission based salary, laptop computer, mobile phone and company vehicle. Full training and external qualifications can also be offered where appropriate. Closing date for applications is 18/02/11

Applications in writing with CV to: positions@wilsonagri.co.uk

Long term planning with Wilson Agriculture

Here are some 3D CAD drawings we have recently been working on.

This shows the long term planning for a unit.

Phase 1: The first building measures 51ft [15545] wide and 150ft [45720] long.

This houses 102 cows and feeds down one side.

Phase 2: Double up with another building along side the first.

Phase 3: Long term there are four similar building housing a total of 408 cows.

Congratulations Dairy Farmer of the year 2010

Congratulations to Neil Baker, another of Wilson Agriculture's customers who have won the Dairy Farmer of the year award from Farmers Weekly.

Photo credit and read more:

http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2010/10/01/123779/FW-Awards-2010-winner-Dairy-Farmer-of-the-Year.htm

Neil was also one of the Gold cup finalists so we are proud to work with him. Take a look at the 'Year-round housing' video at www.thisisdairyfarming.com

NMR/RABDF Gold Cup 2010 winners

Congratulations to Chris and Mike King from Iron Acton, North Bristol.

Image credit and read more:

(http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2010/09/08/123291/Dairy-Event-2010-Gold-cup-winners-announced.htm)

NMR/RABDF Gold Cup 2010 winners and Wilson Agriculture customers with our

post mounted cubicles and self locking feed barriers.

Here are a couple more pictures of their unit: