DEMAND for reliable, easy-to-use automation technology is likely to increase as Australian dairy farmers look for production growth during the 2021-22 season.<\/p>\n
Dairy Australia's June Situation and Outlook forecast a modest production lift for the year, following a challenging few seasons in drought.<\/p>\n
Higher opening milk prices had pushed up confidence and would encourage farmers to revisit on-farm investments.<\/p>\n
The outlook said while most regions would see lifts in production, the lack of available workers remained a concern across the country.<\/p>\n
Waikato Milking Systems business development manager for Australia Rob Spencer said the situation would encourage farmers to look for ways to automate the milking process.<\/p>\n
\"Automatic cup removers would have to be the best option for a milking system to gain immediate efficiency and productivity improvements,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"ACRs eliminate one labour unit from the milking process, which means you can direct that person to work elsewhere on the farm for other important tasks.\"<\/p>\n
Waikato Milking Systems ACRs uses a precise, proprietary shut-off valve that accurately detects the end of milking to remove the cups.<\/p>\n
\"But the operator also has the option of using our robust and time-proven user switch, which can manually remove the cups with ease,\" Mr Spencer said.<\/p>\n
\"Our range of automatic cup removers, ECR-S and ECR Plus, can be programmed to detach at a predetermined time or fixed place in platform rotation to avoid over-milking the herd.\" <\/p>\n
The adjustable retraction speed meant the ECRs detached gently from the udder, avoiding any damage to cows' teats at the end of milking time.<\/p>\n
\"Our Platform Positioning System ensures that any of our ECRs will operate without a hitch on any platform,\" Mr Spencer said.<\/p>\n
Both ECR options can be mounted vertically in rotary and inline milking systems. <\/p>\n
\"The ECRs can also be mounted in Waikato Swing Arms for inline systems,\" he said. \"The Swing Arms improve cluster alignment and reduce pull on the cups during milking.\" <\/p>\n
Mr Spencer said the system's robust stainless steel chassis and cylinder lasted longer while the swing capability created a clear space for operators to move along the pit. The cylinder had a pulley to make cluster removal smooth and gentle. <\/p>\n
\"It's very easy to clean and maintain,\" he said. \"All the milk and pulsation tubes are housed inside the main chassis.\" <\/p>\n
The Swing Arm includes AutoSTART as a standard feature.<\/p>\n
\"All the operator has to do is lift the cluster and attach to the animal,\" he said. \"The rest is completely automated.\"<\/p>\n
Article supplied by Waikato Milking Systems, website waikatomilking.com.<\/p>\n
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Demand for dairy automation to increase - The Australian Dairyfarmer<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" DEMAND for reliable, easy-to-use automation technology is likely to increase as Australian dairy farmers look for production growth during the 2021-22 season. Dairy Australia's June Situation and Outlook forecast a modest production lift for the year, following a challenging few seasons in drought. Higher opening milk prices had pushed up confidence and would encourage farmers to revisit on-farm investments Continue reading