New dairy unit open day at Harper Adams University College

Dairy farmers have the opportunity to see the latest innovations in action at the official opening of the new £2.3 million dairy unit at Harper Adams University College, Newport, Shropshire on Wednesday 2nd September.

As well as viewing the dairy unit, visitors will be also able to discover how the University is employing state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to improve cow welfare and herd health, as well as boost efficiency and productivity from its recently expanded herd.

Guided tours of the new facility and technical seminars (see below) will run throughout the Open Day. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the technology installed in the new dairy from suppliers who will also be exhibiting at the event.

Farm Manager, Scott Kirby, explains the decision to invest £2.3 million in an entirely new ’green field’ facility came after a thorough review of the dairy business.

"We were previously milking 150 cows in outdated buildings. Like others in the industry, we came to the conclusion we needed to expand and modernise to improve profitability or, and this was a serious consideration, to leave the sector entirely," he explains.

"The farm has to operate under completely commercial conditions and produce a surplus from what it does. But in the end we are essentially here to assist with the University’s teaching and research, which is why we decided to increase the herd to 400 cows and invest in the new facilities. This also reflects the current consolidation going on in the industry and will provide students, farmers and researchers with a unique insight into modern dairying techniques," he explains.

The farm aims for an annual yield of 9,500 litres/cow and runs a year-round calving pattern to match the needs of the buyer for liquid milk, which receives a premium. Latest technology heat detectors, with leg-mounted transponders improve management.

The new dairy features the very latest thinking in all aspects of dairy farming. The unique building design and layout features wide, open spaces to create a light and airy environment that offers maximum ventilation. The layout has two, completely separate, ’clean’ and ’dirty’ areas for better cow health and biosecurity.

Spacious cow cubicles are designed to accommodate the large, modern dairy cow and are lined with latex foam for comfort and bedded with lime to improve hygiene. Automatic slurry scrapers clean the passages every four- to five hours and a clever flushing system tips the drinking troughs, which are then refilled with fresh water.

The 40-point internal rotary parlour is one of just a few in operation in the UK, which is designed to provide staff with the best view of the cows. This is also equipped with a new cluster system with backflush and in-line dipping. Segregation gates can be used to separate cows before and after milking for optimum management particularly when, for example, conducting trials.

Indeed, there is an entirely separate trial area where cows can be removed from the main herd to be fed individually, with their consumption logged by transponders on collars. Ultrasound neck microphones, which measure rumination rates, are also used.

The entire unit has also been designed with great emphasis on environmental sustainability. Here again the dairy unit employs the latest technology to keep clean and dirty water apart as well as separate slurry. It saves energy with heat exchanges to pre-heat the hot water as well as special ’ramping’ pumps that vary match power supply to the varying demands during milking. The University is also investigating installing an anaerobic digester to process the slurry and produce energy.

Visitors to the event will be able to see all this technology at work on the Open Day, and learn about the latest research and advice from a range of expert speakers who will be holding seminars through the day.