66 | nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » Cowley Electrical Dairy and Pumps Traditional setups no match for modern output Russell Fredric Dairy farmers are producing more milk than ever, but many are doing it with infrastructure designed for a very different era. This growing mismatch is creating new challenges across Southland & Otago farms, where incremental production gains are placing increasing pressure on the systems supporting modern dairy production, according to Cowley Gore branch manager Murray Wood. “Many farms are producing significantly more milk than they were 20 or 25 years ago. That puts more pressure on power, cooling, water and effluent systems, so it’s important to identify those bottlenecks before they become problems.” Identifying and addressing those pressure points has become an increasingly important part of Cowley’s work. One recent project involved upgrading a 20-yearold herringbone dairy shed that utilised other-brand technology to new Waikato Milking Systems technology, including pulsators, automatic cup removers and vacuum plant equipment. The challenge was that the farm milked yearround, requiring the existing plant to remain operational while the upgrade was completed. “It was a reasonably complex job because we had to keep the plant running all the time, but we promised what we could deliver and got the job across the line.” The work was completed within a week, with both systems operating during the transition. Cowley also commissioned a new 70-bail rotary dairy shed in time for the start of last season despite weather delays during the spring of 2024. “Farmers see value for money, ease of use and reliability in the Waikato technology. We’ve also been seeing more people retrofit existing sheds rather than waiting for complete rebuilds.” Formerly known as Cowley Electrical Dairy & Pumps, the business rebranded as Cowley earlier this year to reflect the broader range of services it now delivers across the region. While dairy remains central to the business, Cowley also works across electrical, pumping, refrigeration, water and effluent systems, engineering and maintenance. The company operates from Gore, Balclutha and Mosgiel and supports farms, commercial customers and local authorities across the lower South Island. “With local teams on the ground and a 24/7 call-out service, we’re focused on keeping farms running efficiently, minimising downtime, and helping our clients get the best out of their operations year-round.” Identifying and addressing pressure points has become an increasingly important part of Cowley’s work. Monitor and control your critical on-farm infrastructure from anywhere. Agricultural Solutions halosystems.co.nz “What sets Cowley apart is our ability to deliver end-to-end solutions. From initial design and system upgrades through to installation, servicing and ongoing support, we work alongside farmers to provide practical, fit-for-purpose outcomes.” The dairy sector is facing a range of challenges, from compliance and environmental pressures to labour availability and cost management, Murray says. While these and other factors are beyond their control, farmers are “pretty good at rolling with it and adopting new technology where they can to control the controllables”, he says. “It’s all about being practical and building resilience. We’re here to support that — helping with the planning, the upgrades, and making sure their systems are set up for the long run.” Alongside its dairy work, the company undertakes commercial projects, council contracts and refrigeration upgrades while continuing to invest in apprenticeships and training. “We don’t have all the answers and our many suppliers don’t have all the solutions, but by working together we can find the right outcome for the farmer. We’re the feet on the ground and they provide the technical support behind the scenes.”
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