MilkTech Ltd is a successful Co. Mayo-based company which provides essential support to the dairy farmer with the supplying and fitting of milking machines and dairy farming equipment, servicing and maintenance, and an emergency breakdown repair callout service.
Headed by John Lynn, the company was rebranded three years ago following the death of John’s father, who was also John. John Snr set up Mayo Farm & Dairy Services in 1988 before handing over the reins to his son about 10 years before his passing. A Boumatic qualified and IMQCS (Irish Milk Quality Cooperative Society Ltd) certified technician, John has 25 years’ experience in the milking machines sector and is committed to making MilkTech a one-stop shop for all your milking needs.
The main aims of the business are: to improve efficiency and create higher yields for the dairy farmer through automation and technology; to make the milk harvesting, washing and feeding processes less labour intensive to assist in single person operation; to reduce cross-contamination, SCC (Somatic Cell Count) levels, TBC (Total Bacterial Count) levels and prevent disease and infection.
“We’re here to make life as easy as possible for dairy farmers and to ensure that they have a life outside milking,” John says.
“We want them to spend less time in their milking parlours. At the same time, we aim to improve efficiency and create higher yields for the dairy farmer. With the advances in automation and technology, it’s possible to achieve both.”
The main Boumatic Gascoigne Melotte agent in Mayo since 1989, MilkTech has expanded to become the main agent for the entire Connacht region in recent years. It has also taken on the ATL (Agricultural Technology Ltd) agency in the past year. MilkTech can supply and fit all the dairy farm equipment that your parlour needs, tailored to meet your needs for any size of operation.
As main agent for Boumatic Gascoigne Melotte and ATL, all equipment and parts are supplied by MilkTech, who can provide ongoing aftersales support and a full warranty on parts.
“Boumatic Gascoigne Melotte and ATL are two of the leading milking parlour designers and manufacturers in the world. Boumatic Gascoigne Melotte is an American company whose milking parlours we have been installing for over 25 years. ATL is a UK brand which we are also delighted to be associated with. Collins AGRI in Limerick is the main distributor in Ireland for ATL.
“We have been using ATL parts for 10 years and never had a problem with them. We recently installed an ATL milking parlour in Loughrea, Co. Galway and the farmer is very happy with it,” John explains.
MilkTech offers a 24-hour emergency breakdown repair service for all types of milking machine and dairy farm equipment across the five Connacht counties of Mayo, Sligo, Galway, Roscommon and Leitrim. The objective for MilkTech’s IMQCS certified technicians is to keep your milking machines going and your dairy parlour producing. Callout is available 365 days a year, with reduced rates for long-term customers.
“We’ve tended to breakdowns on Christmas Day and in all kinds of weather. The key to avoiding breakdowns is to have your milking parlour serviced at least once a year. You shouldn’t have too many problems then,” the affable managing director continues.
In addition to Boumatic Gascoigne Melotte and ATL equipment, MilkTech is able to provide installation, maintenance/repair and service for all types of milking machines, control and wash systems, feeding systems and hydraulic scrapers.
Maintenance and service contracts are available to prevent unexpected breakdowns, and to save money by removing the need for costly emergency breakdown repair callouts. MilkTech provides test for stray electricity and machine test, with full written reports on your milking machine to IMQCS standards.
If you’re a dairy farmer suffering with cell count problems or TBC issues, MilkTech can also provide a full consultation and advice service.
MilkTech supplies and fits a wide range of milking, control, washing and feeding systems. Milking systems include claw-pieces, milk vacuum pumps, automatic cluster removers and electronic pulsation. Control systems include computer analysis cow identification systems, electronic milk meters, milk yield indicators and air purge systems.
Wash systems include teat spray units, cluster flush systems, volume washers and pressure washers. Electro-pneumatic feeders, electric feeders, compressed air feeders and feeder augers are among the feeding systems provided. MilkTech is an agent for O’Donovan and Alfco automatic scrapers, which keep you slats clean and free of waste.
In addition, the company can supply and fit stalling and rotary parlours as well as a range of gates, cubicles, barriers and mats. The steel products are supplied by Condon Engineering in Collon, Co. Louth.
MilkTech boasts an ever expanding customer-base which includes the reigning FBD Young Farmer of the Year Sean O’Donnell from Ballina, and the 2008 winner Tim Quinn from Carnacon.
“We’re growing year-on-year,” John proudly states.
“Most of our business is generated through word of mouth. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a top-class and reliable service at a competitive rate. Dairy is one of the main types of farming carried out in Connacht and we are delighted to be able to cater for the needs of so many farmers in the region.”
The demise of the milk quotas has been good for business as John explains: “While many farmers are adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach, a lot of them had decided to invest in preparation for the lifting of the milk quotas on March 31. We installed six new milking parlours in the lead-up to Christmas, which was well above the norm for that time of the year.
“For the first time in many years, there is an incentive for dairy farmers to expand their herd and produce more milk. There is an incentive now for more young people to get involved in farming, which is also great to see as it will lower the age-profile.
“Most of our clients milk between 20 and 140 cows. The ideal number in my view is between 50 and 70 because that farmer doesn’t have to pay wages and isn’t under as much pressure as the farmer with over 100 cows.”
MilkTech is based in the townland of Belcarra, which is located six miles from Castlebar.
MilkTech Ltd
Belcarra,
Castlebar,
Co. Mayo.
Telephone: 094 903 2903
Mobile: 087 205 4103
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.MilkTech.ie
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 3 No 4, May 2015
