Automatic cow crossover

Description

In Rossum Gerald Scholten Linde milks about 100 cows. The farmer uses two milking robots. A few years ago the farmer got the chance to buy a piece of land from the neighbour. The farmer did this, also with a view to improving the grazing of the milking cows. One problem was the through road separating the plots from each other. Sometime has been used wire to drive the cows to the other side of the road. The biggest drawback was that the cattle had to stay in the field, so it was not possible to go to the robot for several hours a day. This had to be changed was what the farmer thought.

Gerald came up with his own design of an automatic crossover for his cows. It is important that it is easy and simple to operate, Gerald said. The crossing consists of two automatic gates that open by means of a push button. This is easy to operate by cyclists and motorists. In addition, there is also a sign with the user manual to make it clear to everyone which action he or she must perform. The entire innovation was built by the farmer.

Reason for the innovation

The strategy of the farmer is based on solving the problem of crossing the road by the cows to increase his grazing platform

• Achievements: Cows can cross the road as long as there is no other traffic. Increasing his platform available for grazing, makes grazing easier and reduce his cost price.
• Challenges: Improving the automatic crossover, to open and close the gate a little faster, it is important that a powerful engine comes up. Also, as security the gate goes back when resistance is encountered. However, it sometimes happens that a cow stays on the road through which the fence goes back. This could be solved a little electric wire the gate.
• Results: larger grazing platform

Farm description

Environment

• Soil: Sandy
• Climate: Temperate oceanic
• Altitude: ±sea level
• Slope: flat

Grassland management

• Grazing: Yes
• Grazing management: Rotational stocking
• Length of grazing periode: 7 months/year
• Main composition grassland: Perennial ryegrass, timothy grass, white clovers

Structure

• Annual work units (AWU): 1,5
• Agricultural Area 48 ha UAA
  • Permanent grassland 39 ha
  • Corn silage 9 ha
• Production method: Conventional
• Stock
  • 100 dairy cows
  • 50 young stock
• Breed Holstein-Friesian

Animal performance

• Milk production: 8700 kg/year

Why it is working

The innovation is successful on this farm because:

• The farmer has also grassland on the other side of the road
• He won the second price on the ForFarmers innovation Award
• Through more milk out of fresh grass will reduces his cost price

Watch the movie on:
landbouw.bbvms.com/view/boerderij/2678945.html