Quality and Automation is Key to Success
For nearly 30 years, US Farm Systems has been on the cutting edge of quality dairy waste equipment development. Grounded in a commitment to meeting the dairyman’s every need, the organization has worked tirelessly to engineer systems that are efficient, easy to use and require the least amount of human labor possible. To achieve those three goals, the US Farm Systems team has built products using the most sophisticated automation possible.
“The key is having an automated system,” says Rejean Houle, President and Owner. In doing so, dairymen save time and labor costs, as well as creates a precision process for managing their waste. In recent years, the focus has also become providing dairymen the tools necessary to comply with the litany of environmental regulations placed upon them. “We consider how each of our product’s can help a dairy contribute to cleaner water and air,” adds Houle.
The true test of their products, though, is in the positive feedback from repeat customers. Just ask Len Houweling, General Manager of Shein Ranch in Madera, CA. This particular operation is part of a series of dairies that Houweling oversees, most of which have one or more US Farm Systems products in place. At Shein Ranch, where they are milking 6,000 cows, Houweling has implemented a number of products that he feels are critical to their success.
When the Ranch was first built in 2003, Houweling immediately had US Farm Systems’ flush valves and pump installed. At other ranches, he had experience with a different system with less-than-ideal results. He noted that over time, the pipeline settles and with the huge weight, can create cracks and breaks in the system. On one operation, the valves broke at the coupling and ultimately, he had to dig up the pipeline to make the expensive but necessary repairs. His solution was US Farm Systems. “We’ve never had a problem with their valves, which stems in large part because they compression fit the valves to the pipe,” says Houweling.
He also notes that the rugged construction and quality materials used in making the valves and pump is key to their longevity. In addition, the ranch has implemented US Farm Systems’ recommended processing pit model (see Figure 1) and in doing so, require valves that have minimal clogging issues and are easy to maintain. Over the past five years, the system has continued to work smoothly and efficiently.
That success has led to Houweling’s installation of US Farm Systems’ bedding and fertilizer separators. The products are relatively new to this dairy, but not to the business in general. Houweling had the system installed on another ranch five years ago and after such success there, brought them to Shein Ranch six months ago. His primary motivation was the cost savings it provided considering the large amount of bedding this dairy requires. “We produce a little more than 200 tons of bedding a day using the separator and for a ranch this size, we need it.”
In addition, the system helps to ensure that his lagoon water is a little more “crop friendly.” Houweling notes that when the time comes to clean the lagoon, the process has been made a bit easier, given that the separators pull many of the waste materials and salts from the water. “Ultimately, using the separators has been a win-win for the dairies. The cows like the bedding, the fertilizer is good for the crops we’re growing for feed and it makes managing the lagoons that much easier.”
If that wasn’t enough, three years ago, Houweling installed the US Farm Systems cow carpet in various locations throughout the ranch. The area of primary concern was in the holding area. Even as a state-of-the-art dairy with heavily grooved concrete, the issue of slipping and the resulting injuries couldn’t be avoided. “The holding pen is an area where we end up with a lot of cow pressure, since milkers are pushing them on. Adding the rubber was just what we needed. Now I can see the cows are more comfortable and that’s what we want.”
Houweling also added the cow carpet to their stationary hoof trimming area and along aisles throughout the barns. The trimming station, in particular, was another area where cow stress was a major factor and even the smallest adjustment has meant there are fewer injuries. “In a perfect world, we’d put it everywhere on the ranch, it has such a positive impact. Unfortunately, because of the level of wear-and-tear, it just wouldn’t be cost effective,” adds Houweling.
As Shein Ranch looks to the future, Houweling is optimistic about their opportunities and is thankful that, with the help of US Farm Systems, they have a well-built, efficient operation. “I know a lot of people are worried about the dairy business right now, but you’ve got to have a positive attitude,” says Houweling. He does add, though, that it helps to have quality products and low-maintenance systems that help him rest easier and enable him to focus on moving the business forward.
For more information on US Farm Systems and their entire line of products, visit www.usfarmsystems.com or contact 800-811-9462.
Figure 1
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