Parlour training in-calf heifers

At this time of the year many dairy farmers start bringing in-calf heifers into the parlour to get them familiar with the parlour. It helps to start the process of training them into the sounds and workings of the parlour. Giving them a kilo or two of meal to get them used to the parlour can be a good investment. The process helps to familiarise the stock to their new environment and it means the parlour is not as much of a shock to the system when they calve down. Do this job when you have time and are not rushing. A little preparation will go a long way and a little patience makes it easier for everyone. Having help rather than doing this on your own on the first occasion is a good idea.

Slurry agitation

Now that the calendar dates on restricted planning are starting to lift (Zone A is 13 January) farmers need to be more aware of the dangers around inhaling poisonous and deadly gases during slurry agitation.

The old saying rings true – warning signals might often be too late and you cannot take enough precautions. Get stock out of the shed well in advance of the start of agitating and secure them safely in a yard adjoining the shed where they were housed.

Never walk into the shed while agitating and always open doors to the maximum to let air through the shed. Even if moving slurry from one tank that is full to another, take the necessary precautions because dangerous gases are still present.

Not alone is it important to be careful on dangerous gases but take care attaching hoses to tanks.

Don’t take risks. Never leave lids open on tanks, especially if young members of family are home from school and out in the farmyard.

Early calving

Often at the start of another calving year, farmers and young helpers can be over-enthusiastic about helping cows at calving time. Leaving cows alone for long enough is probably one of the most difficult things. Farmers are normally anxious to get the calf out and the cow settled.

However, with enthusiasm and the best will in the world comes danger. Be careful, especially of first-calving heifers and cows that you know from previous experience can be very protective of calves.

Take all the necessary precautions – never turn your back on the calving cow and never come in between the cow and newborn calf. Always have some form of defence item with you to protect you when entering a calving pen for the first time during the calving process but even if all is calm don’t let your defence down.

Spring construction and servicing

This time of the year is the busiest for doing a few construction jobs before the main calving season starts. Try and get the preparation and construction jobs completed before the normal spring workload starts. This might mean adjusting crush facilities, calving pens, or a collecting yard. Now is the time to do this rather than a time when you are calving, feeding, milking and doing all the other spring jobs. Safety is about trying to plan what jobs need to be completed well before they are actually needed. The main machine – the milking parlour – is what needs to be touched up and serviced before calving starts. Ensure you get this completed safely before you start spraying water around the parlour and the dairy.