Parlour type: Swingover
Milking points: 14
Herd size: 200
ADF Installation date: September 2008
Stuart Wilson, a dairy farmer with nearly 50 years of experience, knows a thing or two about milking cows. At Byretown Farm, nestled in the picturesque Clyde Valley, he and his team manage a herd of 200 cows.
“Initially, I was a bit sceptical of ADF. I thought it might slow down milking a bit,” he admits. But Stuart was pleased to learn that ADF does the complete opposite. “It actually speeds it up once you get used to working with the system.”
Since implementing ADF, Stuart has noticed significant improvements in the milking parlour. “From the dipping point of view, there’s no fumbling about, no messing about with dip cups,” he says. “Filling dip cups, it’s all done automatically.” This efficiency boost has streamlined their milking routine, allowing them to milk their 150 lactating cows twice a day with ease.
Beyond the time savings, Stuart has observed an improvement in udder health. “Teat condition has definitely improved,” he notes. “We’re spending less time having to clean cows’ udders before milking, or looking for split teats.” Another positive outcome of improved teat condition is the significant reduction in mastitis cases. “We definitely get a lot less instances of mastitis,” Stuart confirms. “It’s brilliant!”
Overall, Stuart is extremely pleased with the ADF System. “I would definitely recommend the ADF system to farmers from the cleanliness point, the positive effect on the cows, and the added efficiency in the milking routine,” he concludes.
For a seasoned dairy farmer like Stuart Wilson, the ADF System has proven to be a game-changer, delivering on its promise of efficiency, improved udder health, and a simplified milking process.
