Robotic Visitors

We have 42 students plus coaches from Umatilla High School Robotics Team visiting us. They were on their way to Boise for competition. We didn't have robots in place for them to see. They got a lesson on the dairy industry and how we will use robotics. Hoping to see them return when robots are installed and operating.

 

 

A-Maze-ing

A maze of walls!

Free-Stall Barn Going Up

Cows are in one-half, settled and happy!

Barn is ready for cows to move in.



View of one-half of new free-stall barn. Interior is done, have some metal to add to the ends.
 

I-Beams are in place and purling's are being installed.

First I-Beam going up
 

And now, we have WALLS!

After all the forms came off, we got our first "reality" look of how everything was going to be. Great to finally see walls! More forming for the shorter walls and another robot room to start.



This Robot Barn will hold 2 robots and will have a special pen for cows that are training to robots, waiting to calf and fresh cows.



This robot barn will also hold 2 robots. In addition, there will be a bulk tank room and herdsman's office.



More views of bulk tank room and herdsman's office.
 



Large openings are where the robots will be installed.



Inside look at the robot room where compressors and mechanical will be.



View of roll up doors for deliveries and man exit door from robot room.

Pumper Truck Day

A pumper truck and several cement trucks filled the barnyard on Tuesday. It was a fascinating sight to see them working. These tall walls they are pouring are 16 feet tall and 12 inches thick! The tallest walls will support an overhead office when completed. Shorter walls will support formed walls for the remaining rooms.

5 Years Later...


Wow! It has already been 5 years since our last addition to the farm. Well a lot has happened in 5 years. A couple pieces of land have been acquired. Pivots were added for water conservation, increased crop yields and to manage labor more efficiently.
 

We have outgrown our current milking facility. I think it has served it purpose. Built in the 1960's, it serviced 3 Holsteins per side and grain was fed as the cows were milked. The first change in the early 1980's came with the removal of the grain feeders, and a change in stall size to accommodate 5 Jerseys per side. The next change came in 1992 with a few upgrades. It would stay like that for the next 10-12 years when auto take-offs were added. With continued increase in herd size, the last change added another stall to each side about 4 years.

Mid year 2014, we start our adventure of looking for a new barn. We look at plans, barns, talk, talk, talk, meetings and then...someone suggests that we need to look into ROBOTIC MILKERS. WHAT? So, what did we know about robots? NOTHING!!! That was February 2015. Now we have 4 binders full of robot information, plans, research and are much more knowledgeable about robots. The decision...ROBOTS!

So here we are February 2016 and we have started construction on our robot facility and a new free-stall barn. The weather has slowed progress but now things are starting to pick up. The views are changing and there is no turning back! There is still a lot to be accomplished, a short time frame to work with and more to learn. We are excited about the newest addition but a little scared about how it will all come together and work.

Want to know more about robotic milkers? www.youtube.com and search Lely Robotic Milkers.



Free-Stall Building Site

 



 

 







View of existing free stall barn. There will be 2 robot rooms added at the end of this barn. One will have 2 robots installed and the other will be for future installation of 2 additional robots.

A free stall barn will be added on west side of these existing barns. It will also have 2 robot rooms for 4 robots and bulk tank room and offices.

FFA District Dairy Judging Contest

In September we hosted the 2011 District Dairy Judging Contest, representing 5 area schools: Vale, Ontario, Nyssa, Jordan Valley and Adrian. There were 156 students participating. Our best count was about 195 in total attendance.

Many thanks to local dairy producers, Scotty, Shelly and Bill for bringing us holsteins and guernseys for judging.

After lunch, participants listened to speakers from the Oregon Dairy Products Commission and Farm Service Agency office.

Congratulations to Nyssa FFA for taking home 1st place banners for beginning and advanced teams.



Guests



Participants

Cook Jerry

Guernsey class

Tallying the scores

The Cow Crew

Helpers

District officers presenting awards

Advisors

Got Milk t-shirts to top individuals

Guernsey class

Jersey class

Holstein class

Brown Swiss class

Nose-to-nose

Oscar and David