At first glance it looked as if it was just another set of rules that would suck up more time and money.
But Outram contract milker Jorg Sahin says LIC’s initiative to prevent its AB Technicians from working in herringbone pits on makeshift platforms and out-dated trolleys (or in rotary sheds that compromised balance and safety) has ongoing benefits.
Beside risk reduction and serious-injury prevention, the new, dedicated, AB Facility on Jorg’s farm is expected to result in better repro results, because animals are calmer and the AB Technician more comfortable in executing his/her job.
The process of handling stock in the yards had also been made easier, Jorg said.
“I love the new facilities, I’m over the moon with how it’s worked out. We use the facilities for multiple jobs, not just the inseminating at AB time, but for purposes like tail-painting, metri-checking, vaccinations, and other vet work.
Jorg at his tailor-made AB facility; a sustainable piece of infrastructure that has multiple uses, and eliminates the need for non-milking tasks in the pit. “It’s absolutely brilliant; we can do multiple jobs at one time – vaccinations, multi-min jabbing, and drafting the springers."
“We put a lot of thought into it at the beginning. We essentially had a vet race and extended it, and we’ve got a removable back bar which offers us a lot of flexibility, so if we want to tag the heifers we can use the back bar, and we simply remove it when it comes to AB.”
After about an hour’s consult with a local engineer, the facility took just two days to construct at an initial cost of about $7000 to the owners, Jorg said.
“We used it for the first time last spring. I wouldn’t say it was absolutely perfect straight away, but it was pretty close. We’ve made small adjustments since, like reinforcing the gate latch, but the total finalised cost would be less than $10k.”
Jorg and his wife Louisa are contract milkers who calve down about 580 crosbred cows each season.
“We have absentee owners and they like to ensure everything on this farm is compliant, and they would’ve been keen on the upgrade because it’s a requirement, but also because they see the value in having good facilities… it makes life easier for both on-farm staff and the AB Techs.
“What they’ll appreciate is the return-on-investment they’ll get from this; this type of facility will last a long time, and it’ll attract good sharemilkers or other contract milkers. People will far rather work on a farm where things are safer, the infrastructure is better, and they’re not having to deal with non-milking tasks in the pit.
“The trolleys and platforms are just dangerous; I hear of vets on other farms tripping or losing their balance on trollies during their work; they hate it.”
Jorg is looking ahead to this mating season with plenty of optimism for a smooth mating process.
“The new facility rows up to 22 cows. Generally we do about 25 a day during the peak of the AB season. Last year on our busiest day we did have 35 on-heat, but that was an exception and didn’t put us off our stride.
“We’ve future-proofed it too, by putting on a roof… we’re here in South Otago so it’s going to rain, and if we want our AB Tech to do the best job possible, we have to provide the best facilities possible.”
The new, dedicated, AB facility makes all sorts of on-farm jobs easier and smoother, Jorg says.
