94 | nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » GEA Farm Technologies NZ GEA makes a complete range of products suited to the local market and available for both rotary and herringbone systems. Kim Newth Mastitis, the inflammation of the mammary gland, is a common and expensive disease that affects dairy herds worldwide. GEA Farm Technologies is working to help change this in New Zealand by supporting dairy farmers to better understand the relationship between milking plant and cow, and how this can impact on mastitis rates. GEA Farm Technologies has a proud history in New Zealand, having operated the Westfalia milking equipment brand since the 1990s. Dairy hygiene, animal health and tail paint were added to the portfolio in 2010 when GEA acquired FIL and its production line in Mount Maunganui. Two years later, GEA strengthened its conventional milking rotary range with the acquisition of the Milfos dairy equipment business. “We manufacture milk harvesting systems and equipment in our Hamilton factory to support the New Zealand market, as well as other countries around the world, “explains Campbell Parker, CEO of GEA Farm Technologies New Zealand. “GEA Farm Technologies New Zealand employs around 120 staff and is proud to support New Zealand dairy farms produce world leading dairy products.” GEA is far from being simply a milking machine company. It is also very well-equipped to help farmers understand the bigger picture needed to tackle challenges on the farm. “Over the past five years, we have been working closely with an independent company called Farm Medix to increase our team’s knowledge on how to effectively manage mastitis. There are lots of things that our FIL Area Managers can help farmers with, from training farm staff and delivering tailored teat care programmes through to troubleshooting mastitis issues and finding the source.” As Campbell observes, most mastitis is caused either by contagious pathogens transmitted cowto-cow during milking, or by environmental pathogens living in the cow’s environment on teat skin, in manure and areas like barns and feed pads. These pathogens are extremely costly in the dairy secThe key to preventing mastitis • to page 100 tor. “Mastitis treatments cost on average $180 per cow and it also costs farmers in terms of reduced milk production, lost milk premiums, veterinary bills, mastitis culls and extra labour.” As we head into autumn and ‘drying off’, it becomes critically important for farmers to focus on teat health and understand how to manage this issue if they are to help cows fend off mastitis at the start of the new season. GEA advises that ensuring sound milking procedures are in place - including teat spraying cows post-milking, keeping tails trimmed and milking infected cows last - are good first steps. Top of mind also should be using a functionally adequate milking system that is serviced on time and used correctly. Cleanliness cannot be neglected. Cleaning the milking system and equipment after each milking is a must to destroy any resident bacteria. Campbell says establishing the right relationship between milking plant and cow starts with the contact point with the cow. That means using the right liners and replacing rubberwear twice a year. Cow health will also improve if optimal milking settings are selected for both pulsation and vacuum to ensure cows are milked safely, gently, quickly and completely. “Cup remover settings are also important to ensure cows are not over milked. We recommend, too, that farmers make sure teat sprays are accurately and consistently mixed and there is effective spray coverage on all quarters of cows’ teats. This can be achieved with our automatic teat spray mixing and delivery systems.” In New Zealand, GEA makes a complete range of products suited to the local market and available for both herringbone and rotary systems. “We understand that every shed and herd is different so the best thing to do is get in touch with one of our team who can help you optimise your milking system. We’re also supported by 24 service partners across New Zealand who provide regular For more information please contact Waitaki Dairy Solutions Tel. 03 434 6304 or Mob. 027 233 0550, 36 Weston Rd, Oamaru 9401 If you have recently received your Fonterra Farm Insights Report and have identified your milk quality as an area that you’d like to improve, give us a call and one of our Milk Quality Teamwill be there to help make it happen. Free, fast, valuable expertise – because sometimes, that’s all it takes. Book your Milk Quality Service Visit or find out more. EXPERT HELP TO TURN INSIGHTS INTO ACTION Some imes IT TAKES NZFARMSOURCE.CO.NZ MILKQUALITY | 57 Ashworth Street, Tokoroa 3420 P: 0800 347 364 W: www.fni.co.nz E: admin@fni.co.nz Earthworks/Trenching GEA Milking Systems Pumps & Water Security Systems Thermography Refrigeration Farm Effluent Heat Pumps Electrical Solar
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