| With the theme “Next Step Future Farming”, the technology group GEA is presenting efficient solutions around the topics of digitization and networking at this year’s EuroTier (November 13 to 16, 2018 in Hanover, Germany). Improving animal health and product quality while increasing efficiency and cost-effectiveness are the focus of GEAs latest developments.
Monobox with extended functionalities becomes GEA DairyRobot R9500
After the launch of GEA’s automated single-box milking robot in 2016, the Monobox has developed successfully in many countries around the globe. Based on customers’ feedback, GEA now has further extended the functionalities of the Monobox. With the new version, called GEA DairyRobot R9500, up to three boxes can be connected to one Supply Unit. This increases the efficiency, reduces the complexity by using less equipment and lowers the usage of water and energy.
With the new GEA DairyRobot R9500, also the proven Guided Exit concept is available. This concept guides cows to a selection gate after leaving the box from milking. From there the cow can be directed to a separation area for cows with special needs, back to the herd or back to the waiting area. The design optimizations reflected on the entrance and exit doors as well as the end frame and the feeding trough potentially increase the throughput with 4%. Furthermore, the new GEA DairyRobot R9500 allows for an optimized positioning of all cow breeds.
For udder health monitoring, the cell count sensor GEA DairyMilk M6850 is optionally available for GEA DairyRobot R9500. The sensor determines the cell count class continuously in each individual udder quarter during the overall milking process without the use of consumables. Apart from that, GEA DairyRobot R9500 is equipped with the latest generation (G5) of GEA’s proven time-of-flight (ToF) camera system.
The single-box as well as the multibox configuration have undergone the DLG standard measurement for resource usage. The results are still pending, but will be published before EuroTier 2018.
New cell count sensor GEA DairyMilk M6850 for effective early detection of mastitis in each udder quarter
With the cell count sensor GEA DairyMilk M6850, GEA presents the world’s first real-time system for effective early detection of mastitis in each individual quarter during the overall milking process. Because the measurement is performed using a robust, purely physical and patented measuring method (EPT principle = Electrical Permittivity Threshold), the GEA DairyMilk M6850 is particularly low-maintenance, reliable and comes out without any consumables.
Information about cell count is a major factor in monitoring udder health. The GEA DairyMilk M6850 sensor completes this monitoring by providing cell count classes at quarter level in real time. Affected animals and udder quarters are reliably identified, so that timely countermeasures can be initiated and further infection is avoided. Continuous flow measurement monitors the number of cells throughout the milking process without restricting milk flow. The real-time analysis of each milking process and each animal provides clear and reliable information and enables short reaction times.
The cell count sensor GEA DairyMilk M6850 is part of the product portfolio for automatic milking at GEA. It can be optionally installed in both DairyProQ and Monobox systems. In conjunction with the herd management, it also offers a significant reduction in workload by following actions such as the selection or assessment of the animals at the next milking. With the upgrade kit of the GEA DairyMilk M6850, also existing systems can be retrofitted.
Always an eye on the farm: New GEA DPconnect module “Milking”
With GEA DairyNet in 365FarmNet, farmers can flexibly manage the livestock farming and crop production business with just one software. In order to further facilitate the work on the farm, GEA continuously develops the innovative software solution DairyNet.
With the new GEA DPconnect “Milking” module, GEA shows how results of automatic milking systems can be synchronized with the cloud-based solution. Thanks to the new module, farmers can use the GEA partner platform 365FarmNet for evaluating the current milking data and analyze them in detail. Important processes such as milk separation are carried out up to the milking parlor.
The new module is based on DPconnnect Basic and the Basic Module Cattle. Animal actions like calving, inseminations, pregnancy tests, drying off and group changes can be managed online and transferred into the local herd management software DairyPlan. Users of GEA DairyPlan can access relevant information mobile via the 365 Cattle App. The new module is available for conventional milking systems, the automatic multibox system MIone and the single-box milking robot GEA Monobox.
GEA manure scraper SRone+ now optional with spray function
Good hygienic conditions in the barn reduce the risk of infection, prevent hoof disease and mastitis and promote the health of the animals. That’s why clean, slatted floors are so important. Further advantages of a clean slatted floor are the lower cleaning efforts for the cubicles and the time savings when cleaning the teats – because clean hooves carry less dirt into the cubicles, which leads to cleaner udders. To further improve the cleanness of the floor, the premium version of the GEA robotic slat scraper, the SRone+, now also has an optional water spray function.
The SRone+ is the evolution of the SRone. Due to its robust design and high performance, it has a long service life with low maintenance requirements. The intelligent sensor technology guides the SRone+ through the barn in a safe and cow friendly way. The RFID-Tag sensor system ensures that the SRone+ automatically finds its way back to the route, even if it has been diverted from its path by a cow. The safety systems ensure that the animals are never at risk. If the robot is blocked, it stops moving forward and starts an obstacle avoidance maneuver. In addition, the intelligent software design of the SRone+ provides a high degree of flexibility when routing away in the barn, since the programming can be adapted to the respective conditions.
The new, optional water spray system distributes a fine mist from two nozzles on the front of the SRone+ and dissolves dried residues on the slatted floor. This reduces the risk of slipping for the cows and improves traction for the manure scraper. The SRone+ Spray has a 45 l tank and sprays 0.8 l / min. Timing and positioning of the spraying operation can be programmed so that either the entire route or only sections are sprayed.
GEA Super Slider Pump: one pump for all pits
GEA has launched a new 8-inch, adjustable-length, highly-versatile manure pump, which can be used in pits of varying depth. The Super Slider Pump has been specifically designed for use by dairy, hog and beef farmers with multiple pits and by contract manure haulers who travel from farm to farm.
The pump is easy to maneuver and is available in two depth ranges; 8 to 12ft (2.44 to 3.66m) and 10 to 16ft (3.05 to 4.88m), making it ideal for operators working multiple pits. The sliding feature of the pump frame means that one pump can replace two or three other pumps, thereby reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
The Super Slider Pump is equipped with GEA’s exclusive dual nozzle design, enabling better and safer manure pit management. The lower nozzle sweeps sediments from the bottom of the pit while the upper nozzle agitates and disperses the slurry to produce an even spread of nutrients.
Modern livestock barns often collect liquid manure underneath the area where the animals are housed (deep pit or slatted floor). The floor is often supported by several concreate pillars which can create a hazardous situation if they are hit by slurry at high pressure, causing harmful gases to be released into the air. To prevent such situation, both Super Slider Pump nozzles can be individually closed to enable slurry to be pumped safely from the pit as the liquid falls. Furthermore, GEA has equipped the Super Slider Pump with intuitive nozzle and rotative valve position indicators to enable the operator to monitor the direction of the discharge throughout the process – an important safety feature when collecting slurry from deep pits or slatted floor type of barns. The indicators are also used to make sure the nozzle is in the correct position when removing the equipment from a narrow pit opening to avoid damage.
The Super Slider Pump is available in 540 rpm and 1,000 rpm versions. The pump is currently available in the extended tilting three-point hitch, new tilting two-point hitch and trailer mounting configurations.
GEA service for optimal animal health and economic production
Volatile milk markets, environmental regulations and increasing automation – there are many reasons why efficient management in the dairy industry is so important. GEA’s seamlessly integrated service offerings aim to best assist dairy farmers in their daily challenges in achieving optimal milk quality and quantity.
This includes manufacturing, maintaining and optimizing equipment as well as management tools and systems that make work easier and improve animal health and milk quality. In line with the service concept “GEA Service – For your continued success”, GEA’s know-how is always complemented by experience gained in cooperation with farmers and a global dealer network. |
