The layout of the yard entry, main yard, and bail area entry should exclude bottlenecks, dead spaces, and having to redirect cows.
Rectangular yards generally have better cow flow, are more easily extended, are more suited to flood washing, and are better for large herds.
Automated drafting and walk-over weighing should be allowed for if not included at the time.
From the drafting pen, there should be access to a load-out race, vet race or AI race with head bail, and even a cow-restraining bail.
Drainage should be to the centre of circular yards and to the rear of rectangular yards, to allow automated washdown.
Concrete surfaces should minimise cows slipping, while not impeding washdown or aggravating hoof wear.
What can be done to improve existing yards?
While dairy yards are “set in concrete”, there are often improvements that can be made to make milking easier, quicker, less stressful, and more efficient. Here are some ideas that can improve an existing yard.
Yard entry
If the yard entry is a bottleneck, widening the race leading up to the yard and the entry gates will improve this. Twin gates may be better than a single one.
If cows have to turn around in the yard to move into the bail area, repositioning the entry gate to the far end of the yard will improve the flow.
If stones are carried on to the yard, this and subsequent hoof damage can be reduced by one or two low kerbs. The kerbs should be flat so cows don’t slip on them.
Backing gate
The control switch should be mounted where the milker can see the backing gate. It could include a timer to stop the gate after five seconds, to prevent cows being bulldozed.
A pull cord running along the pit lets milkers stop the gate from any position in the pit.
A buzzer bell, or siren that comes on with the backing gate reminds cows and milkers the gate is moving.
A pick-up gate for circular yards reduces dead space and improves cow flow into the bail area.
Hock-level hot wires on a backing gate should be removed. Among other things this will reduce the effluent loading on the yard.
An automated circular yard wash system at Christine Finnigan’s herringbone dairy in Manawatu was installed by Paul Roberts of Rural Building and Engineering and washes the yard completely in two passes.
Some rectangular yard backing gates can be fitted with automated washdown systems like the Dungbuster, as can most round yard backing gates.
For manual washdown, a high volume-low pressure system works best. The flow rate should be about 250 litres a minute.
Multiple hoses reduce the hauling of a long hose around the yard, making it easier.
Tipping drums generally use a lot of water and don’t do a good job.
Green water can be recovered to wash the yard, and can be diluted with clean water.
General
If cows are slipping in the yard scabbling or diamond grooving, done properly, will improve traction while not making the yard harder to clean.
Squeeze gaps allow people to move easily between pens and races.
A mirror mounted from the bail area ceiling will let milkers see the cows in the yard and the backing gate.
While the yard is getting a makeover, eliminate anything like protruding pipework that might injure cows or milkers.
