News And Events
Alan & Thomas Boyle, Newtownards
04 April 2012
Cows have wintered well in Millisle Alan and Thomas Boyle milk 240 cows on the Ards Peninsula in Co Down. Like many other dairy farmers across Northern Ireland the father and son team believe there is a strong future in milk and have invested accordingly. Last October saw their herd move into winter accommodation, which included a new slatted shed extension, containing 152 cubicles, enabling the entire herd to be managed as a single group.
“The extra space and additional cubicles provided the cows with that all important extra comfort factor, which has helped maintain milking performance throughout the winter.”
Alan and Tomas opted for the Moore Concrete slat range and cubicle beds.
The cows adapted very quickly to the new accommodation, this was obvious given the amount of extra time the cows spent lying down.
They also specified the new Moore Concrete cubicle end walls, which have been a tremendous feature of the new house.
Tomas was also very impressed with the extremely high degree of finish on the slats and has noticed a reduction in feet problems over the past six months.”
In the wake of the recent warm spell, grass availability is not an issue on the farm. But due to a combination of a Zero grazer and the way the cows have settled in the new housing, putting them out into the grazing paddocks is far from the top of the current priority list
Moore Concrete’s Keri McGivern recently called in with Alan and Tomas to see how their cows had settled into their new winter housing facilities.
“We are committed to providing livestock farmers with the range of precast products that put the needs of their stock first,” Keri explained.
“The modern dairy cow requires a sure footed surface and cubicle beds that meet her comfort requirements in full.
“We have reflected these factors in the design and manufacture of entire agri range,” she explained.
“In the case of Alan and Tomas, they wanted to ensure that their cows could enjoy a built environment that provided them with all of the comfort they required.
“A slatted floor ensures that slurry is continually dropping away from the cows’ feet at all times. Our manufacturing process also ensures a very high quality finish to our slats at all times.”
Keri McGivern concluded:
“Moore Concrete cubicle beds have been developed to meet the comfort needs of cows, irrespective of their length and size.
“I was delighted to hear Alan confirm that the cows took to the new cubicles very quickly. If a cow is lying down comfortably, then she is making plenty of milk.”
