NEWS
FABDEC hits the target for heat detection
Another revolutionary new product has been added to the range offered by one of the leading names in the dairy equipment industry. The HEATIME system from fabdec, is an essential tool for dairy farmers wishing to improve heat detection across their herd and save money at the same time.
The innovative design of the system components significantly reduces the labour involved in spotting the signs of oestrus and in addition makes the whole process of successful insemination far more accurate.
The system is based around a motion-sensing tag, which is fitted to a collar and sited close to the top of the cow’s neck. The design keeps the tag close to the top of the collar and this ensures that the sensor cancels out much of the cows’ day-to-day activity, such as walking. Instead it picks up on oestrus activity, like mounting or being mounted and head movements; all key indicators that can be missed using purely visual monitoring or a step-counting device.
HEATIME is a stand-alone system so there is no requirement for any complex parlour systems or even a computer although the system can easily link into more sophisticated PC-based herd management systems, if required. It can be installed in just a couple of hours and is easy to use; no previous knowledge of computers is required. When the cow passes under the ID unit, usually sited close to the milking parlour, all data from the tag is transferred via an infrared signal to the control unit where it can be instantly viewed and analysed. A light on the control box will illuminate to indicate cows needing attention. A connection for an optional sorting gate control is also provided for immediate segregation of cows.
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The collars have a quick release system and can be easily transferred from cow to cow. For example, if you have a 200-cow herd, then you need only buy around 40 collars. Once cows are confirmed as in calf you can simply put the collar on another cow. Collars are guaranteed for six years and the batteries that power them have an eight-year life span.
Emrys John, Area Sales Manager for fabdec, was keen to highlight the economics of HEATIME, “The average heat detection rate in the UK stands at only around 50% but with HEATIME, it is possible to achieve detection rates nearer to 90%. In practice, the larger the herd the worse heat detection tends to be, so installing the system should have a more significant effect on larger dairy farms. From research data it has been found that every day beyond the 60 day voluntary waiting period the cow remains unfertilized, costs around £3 - £5 per day per cow, therefore in most if not all, herds the system should certainly pay for itself within a year – if not sooner”.
Fabdec are so confident in the product that if purchasers are not happy with its performance after six months, and they haven’t seen an improvement in heat detection rates, it will offer them a 100% refund for the system, excluding the cost of installation.
Mark Button manages a 700-cow herd in Cornwall and decided to give HEATIME a six-month trial. Using 400 collars for his autumn-and-spring split calving herd he now says that he wouldn’t be without the system. “We began expanding the herd from 500 cows to today’s 700 back in 2004 and, as you can imagine, it’s been quite a task to stay on top of heat detection as cow numbers have increased”, said Mr Button.
“I’d say that it’s almost impossible to miss any cows now we have this system. It even serves to flag up the cows that are not cycling,” he adds. He has even discovered additional benefits; “There have been several incidences where we have a cow come into the parlour and the computer has picked her out as being particularly inactive. We’ve picked up her foot and found a stone before it caused a serious, and costly lameness problem. Other cows slow down if they’re developing mastitis and again we can act quickly and treat the problem before it would be visually detectable”. And with this, and the improvement in heat detection rates it’s little wonder that he wouldn’t be without the system now. “It’s well worth the investment and has paid for itself already”.
Fabdec would be happy to talk the benefits of the system through with any prospective customers, and if anyone would like further information they can call Emrys John on 07740 416 265 or E-mail info@fabdec.com.
New backing gate launched to market
Built to the exacting standards that fabdec sets in steel fabrication, the INGATE, is the latest product added to the fabdec portfolio of products for the dairy farmer.
Designed in New Zealand with the benefit of extensive experience in large dairy herds and built in the UK, the gate addresses the key requirements needed from this type of product, namely: reliable drive motors and high build strength.
This labour saving device is already in operation on a number of farms with users reporting favourably not only on time and labour savings but improved parlour throughput and herd welfare.
Herdsman, Mike Peach reckons "it's a wonderful piece of kit that has made my life easier now, as the cows actually do come into the parlour without anyone having to stand in the collecting yard".
Andrew Gelding, Farm Manager was similarly complementary; "not only are we saving money by milking faster, it is also a major improvement as the cows are spending less time standing on concrete meaning that they have more time laying down or eating."
In addition, from a herd welfare perspective, many users were happy to see that the product uses a cow friendly hock-bar and not an electrified gate. All in all happy users plus a happy herd!
For further information please contact your local fabdec agent or call +44 (0) 1691 627200
Costcutter enjoys energy efficiency savings with Fabdec
One of the UK's leading manufacturers of cooling and heating systems, Fabdec Ltd, has supplied its revolutionary SMART-HEAT heat recovery system to the Costcutter supermarket in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. The installation, which was carried out by Portglenone Refrigeration Services earlier this year, has already resulted in a substantial reduction in heating costs for the supermarket chain. Seamus McGill, Managing Director of Portglenone Refrigeration, said: "We found the installation of SMART-HEAT surprisingly easy. This was helped by its lightweight design and wide range of vessel sizes which can accommodate up to six condensing units using only one SMART-HEAT vessel
Finlay Robinson, Manager of Costcutter, Ballymena, commented: "One of our main objectives in installing a new system was to become more environmentally friendly. Since using the SMART-HEAT system we are no longer heating cold water and wasting valuable resource so we are really happy with both the cost savings and positive effect on the environment."
SMART-HEAT is marketed as the environmentally friendly answer to soaring energy prices; effectively giving customers free hot water from their waste heat. Chris Powell, Managing Director of Fabdec explained: “SMART-HEAT is money saving because as well as reusing waste energy, it also reduces the workload on the compressors thereby extending their working life and reducing servicing costs. It’s also flexible because it fits into existing systems and is available in a range of vessel sizes to accommodate different compressor sizes”.
Constructed using Duplex stainless steel, SMART-HEAT is corrosive resistant even against the most aggressive water supply, and therefore negates the need for a sacrificial anode. Energy transfer is achieved through its Thermo-plate in-built heat exchanger design that enables a large heat exchange surface area for rapid heating of the water but at the same time minimizes refrigerant pressure drop. Efficient 50mm thick, CFC-free, polyurethane foam insulation maintains the water temperature with minimal heat loss over time.
Chris continued, “With ever increasing fuel costs and the need to consider the environment through energy efficient systems, SMART-HEAT addresses those needs in one economical package”.
Fabdec and CRS; giants in milk cooling!
Charleville Refrigeration Services and Fabdec have always been big names in the supply and installation of
bulk milk tanks but their latest venture has turned then into giants! The DARI-KOOL DX-FF bulk tank recently installed at Cremins family farm, Castlelyons, Co. Cork has a capacity of 28,000 litres and is considered to be the largest bulk milk tank in Southern Ireland. In a record year for bulk milk tank sales in Ireland, CRS have been able to grow their share of this market through offering DARI-KOOL systems. David O'Connor of CRS said that the quality of the UK manufactured Fabdec tanks was key to their success. In turn, Fabdec recently recognised the excellent service offered to the Southern irish market by CRS through the award of their Outstanding Customer Service commendation. This combination of manufacturing ability and customer service is proving to be a winning combination for fabdec and CRS alike.
The trend for larger herd sizes being seen across the worldwide dairy industry is placing growing demands on bulk milk cooling. Fabdec has risen to this challenge and is regularly supplying large tank systems up to 28,000 litres capacity across Europe. These systems offer the best combination of fast cooling, energy efficiency and high standards of hygiene.