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CASE STUDY 4:   Renovation to new robot unit
BEFORE:
Uglows - Trecarne Farm, North Cornwall, UK
 
Before improvements in cow housing
Before improvements in cow housing
AFTER:
Trecarne farm - close to the sea
After major improvements in cow housing 2015
After major improvements in cow housing 2015
After major improvements in cow housing 2015
After major improvements in cow housing 2015

Background:

Trecarne farm, in North Cornwall, is in an exposed site, within 500m of the north Cornish coast.  The family farm milks 180 cows and grazing is important.

 

Consultancy work:

In 2013 Ivor Davey started working with the Uglow family.  We did a major review of all the buildings and looked at renovation options.  In the end, we decided that an extension to the lower building was the preferred choice.  

 

The decision was to go for three milk robots, and we worked together to finalise a layout which worked around the existing concrete stanchions. These had to be able to accomodate the cubicles and optimise space and cow flow.  In the end, we have 9ft6inch [2896mm] outside row facing the wall, 14ft [4267] passages, 16ft6inch [5029] double beds and 9ft4inch [2845] open fronted single rows.  The cows feed both sides of a 6ft [1829] feed trough.

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Cow Flow:

This layout suited a guided cow traffic system. We therefore opted for a feed first system, where the cows leave the feed area, and go through a 'smart' gate which allows milked cows access to the cubicles, and if they have not been milked, they are routed to the holding area in front of the robots, ready for milking. 

 

This also works well with A,B grazing system implemented.  The next phase is to improve the tracks and fencing during 2017, in order to optimise milk from grass.
 

Construction:

The construction started in the spring of 2015, and cows were introduced in early November 2015.

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We installed Wilson Ag floor mounted bolt down C50 cubicles, complete with the Pasture Mat mattresses, 30mm premium pad foam and poly pillow brisket barriers.

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We also installed Aqua-tip wall mounted tip over drinking troughs.  In the area behind the robots we installed segregation area mattress flooring, which is used for holding attention or problem cows.

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After major improvements in cow housing 2015
After major improvements in cow housing 2015
After major improvements in cow housing 2015
After major improvements in cow housing 2015
After major improvements in cow housing 2015
After major improvements in cow housing 2015

Time-lapse video study - this video shows 1 second = 1 minute and is of the Uglow milk robot unit.

Plan a cow shed  

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