Pearson NI Ltd has been looking after the needs of dairy farmers in Northern Ireland and beyond since 1982 when Robert Brodison founded the company. Based in Newmills near Dungannon, the company’s aim is to supply efficient milking solutions with responsible use of labour to its customers.
Robert had worked as a fitter and service engineer with Gascoigne Milking Machines in Belfast before deciding to set up what was then known as RB Pearson Milking Machines (the company changed its name to Pearson NI Ltd in 2008). Nowadays, he is joined in the business by his son Andrew and between them they have 60 years of milking technology experience.
Robert’s wife Jane has also brought her experience of professional dairying advisory work with the Department of Agriculture (Northern Ireland) to the family business, which also involves another son, Jamie, who is part of a seven-strong team of service engineers and fitters. As the sole agent for Pearson International, which has its headquarters in Athy, Co. Kildare and is celebrating 70 years in business, Pearson NI Ltd is committed to helping dairy farmers pursue greater and more efficient milk yields through its dairy systems.
“We employ seven people directly and five others on a sub-contract basis,” Andrew says.
“We supply dairy systems and milking machines to milk producers not only in Northern Ireland but also south of the border. Following the lifting of the EU milk quota in the Republic in 2015, we installed six or seven milking machines in the Cavan / Monaghan area. We can also offer advice on the design and construction of milking parlours, and assist Pearson International to install systems in the south on a regular basis.
“We are a family-run operation with a wealth of experience in milking technology. I came on board in 2006 after working as an electrical maintenance engineer and this has allowed us to bring cutting-edge electronic management systems solutions to the milk producer aimed at maximising productivity and controlling production costs. Jamie is a service engineer who specialises in JOZ-tech robotic slurry scrapers.
“We have forged links with several companies in mainland Europe to bring the very best of what’s available to enhance our dairy systems.”
Pearson NI Ltd is proud to represent Pearson International which provides farmers with the most suitable solutions and efficient products for all types of dairy farming. In addition, the company partners with Stallkamp, Hanskamp, Key Dollar, Aerobact, SAC, JOZ-tech and Agroserve to provide a range of products, including robotic milking systems, traditional milking systems, slurry handling equipment, feeding equipment, energy-saving mixers and pumps, health and hygiene products, lighting equipment and separators.
Robotic milking has reduced the need to be present for the daily milking routine and, while expensive, is becoming increasingly popular. The SAC RDS Futureline MAX is one such system that does all the physical work involved in milking. It takes care of the needs of the cow, the milk and the milker. The cow stands in an open box so that she is always in contact with the rest of the herd. The Futureline machine takes care of the preparatory data, but also cleans, stimulates and connects.
The teat cups locate the teats and the connecting cup and is so flexible that it follows all the cow’s movements. The system provides error-free identification of the cow and her movements as well as more accurate heat data, lower empty rates and therefore better milk yields. Additionally, it steam-cleans the connecting cup and teat cups after each milking. The robot fits milking parlours of all sizes, regardless of whether they are new or renovated buildings, and is strong, durable and easy to maintain.
Traditional milking systems remain the most popular with dairy farmers, and the Pearson range of herringbone milking parlours have been developed to incorporate all the recent farm technology changes in milk production that have been proven on dairy farms throughout Europe. Using a modular solution approach, the Pearson parlour spec can be improved as needs dictate and funding becomes available.
The straight-line design of the rump rail enables rapid entry and exit of cows into and out of their correct milking positions. Pearson NI Ltd believe it is better for the cow to come to the operator, rather than the operator going to the cow. This is achieved by positioning the cow in such a way that the cow’s rump overhangs the pit line. Two rump rail designs are available – the Clearview and the Herringbone SBS.
Both the Clearview and SBS stall work allow 2’2”to 2’6” up to 3’0” standing. The straight rump rail design gives fast cow entry and comfort for different cow sizes. The tapered rump rail construction and height over the cow stand allows faster cluster application due to clearer udder access. The tapered rump rail overhangs the pit edge, thus reducing operator reach.
A further option is the “Safe Way” system. Here, the straight rump rail is panelled with stainless steel, affording operator protection should a cow have a desire to urinate while being milked. This is an excellent choice for double-up parlours as the control panels for milk metering or cluster flush may be incorporated into the stainless steel sheeting. A folder kerb rail provides a strong barrier aimed at reducing the risk of injury to both cow and operator.
Stall work is made from black heavy gauge steel, finished to a fully galvanised construction. It is engineered for fast, efficient installation and supplied with support trusses and front guide rails to minimise on-site construction.
Key features of a Pearson swing-over milking system are: speed and performance; lower maintenance costs; efficient use of labour.
“The traditional milking systems are still the big seller. There are a lot of beef farmers coming into milking and starting with basic machines. The beauty of the traditional systems is that they can add spec as they go along,” Andrew explains.
“Poor milk prices haven’t helped us over the last two years, but there are signs that things are beginning to pick up. Tranche 2 of Tier 1 of the farm business improvement scheme is open for applications until February 2. This grant covers all milking parlour upgrades, including milk meters, auto ID systems, in-parlour and out-of-parlour feeding systems, robotic scrapers and feed pushers, and can only be good for our business.”
Pearson NI Ltd is a sister company of ARB Process Engineering which specialises in electrical engineering, stainless steel pipe welding and the manufacture and design of bespoke products. It supplies products such as slurry handling equipment, mixers and pumps and separators.
Pearson NI Ltd believes that future solutions are to be found through: a focus on efficient milking with responsible use of labour; flexible and user-friendly solutions; a focus on the whole food chain, taking into account animal ethics and public health; providing new and innovative solutions and products which take into account both human and animal needs.
The Co. Tyrone-based company would like to take this opportunity to thank its many customers for their continued support and loyalty.
Pearson NI Ltd
36 Agharan Road,
Newmills,
Dungannon,
Co. Tyrone,
BT71 4HG.
Telephone: (+44) 028 8774 8042
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.pearson-ni.com
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 6 No 2, March/April 2018
