Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Somerset Dairy with S&A

Wilson Agriculture have been pleased to work with Simpson & Allinson to complete another dairy unit.

Take a look at S&A's article about this project here

Here are a few more pictures from this installation:








Considering a farm building?

Guidelines for farm building development

THERE are a number of design points and standards to consider when planning a farm building development.

  • National guidance on the minimum standards for the design and construction of all agricultural buildings is provided in British Standard BS 5502 ‘Buildings and Structures for Agriculture’.
  • Designations like Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Areas of Great Landscape Value and Conservation Areas affect consent.
  • Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) will impact upon the design and layout of farm buildings and ancillary structures.
  • ‘Semi natural’ wildlife habitats like unimproved grassland, heathland, woodland and watercourses receive special protection.
  • If a new building obstructs, or affects a public right of way across land, this must be highlighted and an alternate route suggested.
  • A new building must be designed and sited to allow adequate access for livestock and machinery.
  • Steel portal framed buildings are the industry standard, areas of roof, roof pitch, eaves heights and colour and type of roof and side cladding will be carefully considered by the Planning Authority.
  • Well-planned buildings with properly designed ventilation rates must also be included if necessary.
  • Employers, building owners and occupiers may have to produce a fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
  • For outdoor feed and grain bins, many authorities now prefer the use of factory-coated galvanised steel to reduce visual impact on the landscape.
  • The development of silage clamps, slurry stores and fuel oil storage must adhere strictly to the Silage, Slurry and Fuel Regulations and the Water Code.

Thanks for the Farmers Guardian for these guild lines. Original article can be found here

Wednesday, 21 April 2010

Welcome to our Cubicles


Welcome to our Cubicles
Originally uploaded by Wilson Agri
This is a unit near Nottingham, UK. The cows have only just been let into the building and they were lying down within 45 minutes. The customer emailed these pictures to us to show how pleased they are.

Tuesday, 13 April 2010

Today - Seminars in Belfast

We have had a fantastic turnout at Greenmount college
in Belfast for the seminar today.


If you have not yet booked for Thursdays seminar at Harper Adams
in Shropshire, places are still available,

Greenmount College - Dairy Seminars - today





Monday, 29 March 2010

Looking forward to the Dairy Efficiency seminars

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


Thursday, 25 March 2010

Comfort Zones 270 cow shed

Another picture from today. Floor Mounted cubicles on 16ft head to head platform. Installed with Pasture Mat mattresses and Pillow.

Comfort Zones 270 cow shed

Pictures from a visit today to a unit in Shropshire. This is working really well.

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