These days farmers are way more conscious about animal welfare. This sees livestock receiving the proper feeds, being enclosed in a safe environment when necessary and of course for dairy farmers, the milking parlour is an area which has become a more stress free location.
Milking parlours have changed dramatically over the years as gone are the days of just milking a couple of cows at a time, to a situation where a farmer can get throughput up to 400 to 500 cows in an hour.
All the changes have been for the better for cows and indeed farmers as milk yields have increased considerably.
There are many different ranges of milking parlours, but one of the leading brands is BouMatic which is a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of the highest quality milking systems and dairy farm equipment including milking parlours, herd management systems, milk cooling systems, dairy hygiene chemicals, udder healthcare products, hoof care products and dairy supplies and dairy equipment spare parts. Recognised for its innovative dairy farm products, BouMatic is dedicated to ensuring that dairy farm producers throughout the world have the ability to produce the highest quality milk most efficiently, profitably and responsibly.
The main distributor for BouMatic in Northern Ireland is ElectroMech Agri Ltd and for this month’s edition of Irish Tractor & Agri, we profile Tyrone based company and speak to company MD Gary McLean about the success of the business.
Twenty five years ago, Gary’s father Jim began dealing in milking parlour equipment and over the years the business and indeed the customer base has grown considerably. Located in Dungannon, ElectroMech Agri Ltd not only services the 32 counties, but also have a depot in Scotland.
The company offers an extensive range of services from sales to service and they are Ireland’s premier dairy, parlour equipment supplier, service provider and support centre.
“As exclusive BouMatic dealers for Northern Ireland, we also offer dairy farmers throughout the whole of Ireland the highest levels of service, maintenance and support in all aspects of modern and traditional dairy farming for both large and small herds,” said Gary.
“Our expertise in dairy farm management and systems ensures we provide Irish Dairy Farmers with everything they require to keep their farm milking, efficient, cost effective and profitable.
“We offer a comprehensive range of BouMatic Milking Parlours and equipment, plus full installation combined with our portfolio of additional dairy products and services such as Stall work, Slurry handling, Dairy chemicals & Hygiene (including Mastitis advice).
ElectroMech Agri Ltd employs 16 people in total with ten of those on the road at all times, servicing, maintaining and generally looking after the customers’ needs.
At their base in Dungannon, Gary revealed that they manufacture bespoke parts for the parlours to tailor them for the Irish market.
“The milking equipment products are shipped in from Boumatic, but we do manufacture custom products to enhance the portfolio, for the Irish market.”
Gary is adamant that the success of the business is not only down to the service that they provide, but to the brand they are selling.
“BouMatic are renowned worldwide for being the best milking parlour on the market. They are a US headquartered company, but their milking machines are sold all over the world.”
When installed a milking parlour can have a life span of 20 to 30 years and Gary stressed that there is generally little maintaining in them.
“A regular service of once a year helps increase the life span of the milking parlours. They are a quality product and the customer knows that, plus we are always here to help in any way that we can. We stock a wide range of parts, so if anything does go wrong, we will have the milking machine up and running again in no time.”
As stated, the health and welfare of a farmer’s herd is one of the most important, complicated and often overlooked aspects of dairy farming.
However, with ElectroMech’s many years of experience in the supply and recommendation of dairy chemicals and hygiene products, ensuring the herd stays fit, healthy and profitable is no more than a phone call away.
“Although a variety of chemicals are directly available from ElectroMech Agri Limited, our BouMatic dealer status means that we’re able to offer you the latest hygiene solutions from one of the worlds leading dairy suppliers at a fantastic price.”
Gary is delighted with the direction that the business is heading and he admits that they are busy at the moment, despite the volatile nature of milk prices.
“We want to progress as a company, but we will do so when the farming community do so. The milk prices have left a bit of uncertainty in the industry at the moment, but overall, we’re pleased with the way the business is going.”
ElectroMech Agri Limited
7 Tulnagall Rd
Donaghmore
Dungannon
Co Tyrone, BT70 3LR
Tel: 028 8776 7376
Fax: 028 8776 7034
Email: [email protected]
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 3 No 11, December 2015
