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John Stevenson and Sons farm at Cumnock is steeped in dairying history, being one of the earliest registered pedigree Ayrshire herds in the county dating back to 1900. Currently milking 400 cows twice a day, the farm has previously supported 600 cows, milking 3 times a day to supply their own doorstep milk retail business. However, retail sales were recently withdrawn, having found it increasingly difficult to balance production to meet doorstep requirements. The farm now supply to First Milk with Robert Stevenson, foreman manager Billy Paul and their staff using an 18 x 18 automated milking parlour.
STABILITY A CONCERN
The farm itself comprises of both modern and older established buildings extending over several acres, and being situated on the top of a small hill, only a few roadways are level. In fact, this was one of the major reasons for choosing a SGARIBOLDI horizontal feeder, as Robert was concerned about stability when moving a partially full machine in and between buildings after having had a tub feeder on trial.
Having had another make of diet feeder for over 5 years, the system itself was well established and it was just the reliability and simplicity of the replacement which was the greatest concern. Local dealer Hamilton Bros of Tarbottom brought along a demo LELY SGARIBOLDI machine for trial.
The feed ration is not a high powered one as basically the same ration is fed to cows and followers throughout the winter months. Out-of-parlour feeders and all year round calving allows the diet to be of regular consistency with a mix of brewers' grains, silage and molasses providing the base diet component. Silage is taken from a clamp using a grab and then supplements are added to the feeder, with up to 3 mixes a day being fed during winter.
EASY MANOEUVRABILITY OF LARGER SGARIBOLDI MACHINE
A 14 cubic machine had been used prior to the SGARIBOLDI arriving as manoeuvrability was a key concern. However, after a successful trial, Billy was able to recommend a new SGARIBOLDI 16 cubic metre machine with its ease of operation, lower power requirements and reversing abilities in narrow passageways. Billy comments ''We like the simplicity of this new diet feeder as the single auger and its contra-rotating chopping knives all work well. It mixes and chops using less power and can be used on any of our existing tractors, even though we've gained an extra 2 cubic metres in size. It mixes in minutes and is a cracking machine. We might even try an 18 cubic metre model next!'' Billy concludes.