44 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Fonterra Farm Source • from page 42 Sustainable Farming - milking machine maintenance The most obvious internal factor is equipment failure. Milking machines are complex pieces of equipment that can break down or malfunction, leading to disrupted milkings and risks to milk quality. Regular maintenance, including cleaning, sanitisation, and the inspection of milking machines can help prevent equipment failure, and ensure that the milking system operates efficiently and safely. Tim adds that most, if not all farmers, will have a service agent not too far away who carries spare parts and those service agents will typically shift heaven and earth to get the farmer operational and productive again very quickly. “Improper installation of the milking system, or the lack of testing by a professional can increase the risk of cow injuries and infection and ultimately, productivity. Poor installation can exacerbate issues such as inefficient milking, for example misaligned clusters resulting in uneven milking out. The health of the cows can also impact milking operations. Cows that are sick or uncomfortable are likely to extend milking times. Monitoring of cow health and veterinary intervention as needed can help prevent this issue.” Poor communication between staff members can lead to mistakes or equipment failure, and staff members who are fatigued may be less attentive to potential issues. “If a milker was unable to work due to illness or injury, having a backup plan in place can help ensure that milking continues without interruption,” says Tim. “Overall, the impact of a milking system failure can be significant for both the farmer and the cows. It’s important for farmers to ensure that their milking systems are well-maintained and to have contingency plans in place to minimize the impact of any potential failures. This can help ensure that the cows remain healthy, productive and farmer stress is reduced, and any financial impact is minimised.” For every individual farm there will be a different level of risk and impact, particularly with things like weather and flooding. The first thing is to identify the risk, assess the likelihood and then the impact. Tim says while the risk of a specific event occurring might be reasonably high, the impact on the overall dairy operation might be quite small, so the farmer may choose to give less attention to the risk or ignore it entirely. For example, heavy rain may frequently flood over a bridge on the farm, but if that part of the farm is only used for replacement stock then the flooding does not impact milking operations. “The risk of an extended power outage might be quite low compared to a farmer in a different area, even though the impact of a outage might be significant. The farmer might decide not to invest in a generator¹ for an event which might never occur. Instead, they might strike a deal where the cows are milked through a neighbour’s shed, assuming the power is on there. Conversely, another farm experiences numerous outages due to its location and an alternative shed is not available so a generator is a good option. Different farms have varying levels of risk and impact, so identifying the risk, assessing the likelihood and impact, and tailoring a plan accordingly is important ” If the farm is more than a one-person operation, as many in New Zealand are, involving the whole team in a regular review of risks means everyone can contribute to the risk identification, has buy-in for the plan, and understands what the rationale and thinking is. “Say one of the risk mitigations is investing in a new generator. The plan should also include the training of a number of people to connect and operate that generator. If only one person knows how, having that generator is of little value, if that person is away when disaster strikes. So, the big thing is that all the staff know what happens when something goes wrong, what their responsibility is, or who should they contact. Having a contact list of key personnel and emergency services is also a key part of the plan. Even for the farmer who does not have staff, having a plan in place can reduce stress if the unexpected happens. Even just thinking about it is a step in the right direction.” Overall, a dairy farmer’s business continuity plan should be comprehensive and tailored to the specific needs of the milking operation. By having a contingency plan in place, farmers can be better prepared to handle any unforeseen events that might impact their milking operations and ensure that milk safety, cow health, and financial losses • Machine Testing • Plant Service • Rotary and Herring Bone Independent Registered Milking Machine Tester with over 20 years experience in the Dairy Service Industry. Covering the South Canterbury/North Otago region. Call Geoff Shaw today on 027 539 3809 PROUD TO SUPPORT FONTERRA FARM SOURCE Dealer for: Brad Hosking 027 754 6075 - 24 hours of ce@highlinedairy.co.nz MILKING SYSTEMS ead Specialising in: • Complete Dairy Shed Maintenance • New Dairy Shed Builds • Platform Repairs and Maintenance • Water and Effluent Management • General Engineering • Registered Milking Machine Technician FONTERRA FARM SOURCE are minimised. Dairy farming is after all a business, and a critical business for NZ Inc. ¹ NZCP1 4.16 Protection from Power Failure (1) From 1st June 2016 all new farm dairies are required to have in place the necessary plugs so that a suitable generator can be fitted to the farm dairy without the assistance of an electrician. It is recommended that all Farm Dairy Operators consider purchasing a generator that is capable of operating the farm dairy (including water through the plate cooler and refrigeration). 027 346 1375 OnsiteDairySolutions Matamata ∙ Specialized milking machine testing, diagnosis & repair of all milking machines. ∙ Agent for Read Slide pulsators &ReadMilkingmachines ∙ Water system supply, install, trenching & repairs ∙ Heavy haulage & crane services
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