• MacDonald Farm - Turnkey Project

MacDonald Farm - Turnkey Project

MacDonald Farm - Turnkey Project

“Using the Turnkey Service from Waikato Milking Systems gave us peace of mind and has given us more time to focus on other work on the farm.” – Peter Macdonald

Dairy farmers Peter and Pam Macdonald are thrilled with the exceptional service and quality outcome they received when they used the Turnkey Service from Waikato Milking Systems to build their new dairy complex.

The family were originally milking 260 Jerseys in an older-style 16 bail herringbone, and wanted to increase their herd to more than 300 cows. They wanted a modern new shed and a state of the art rotary system to achieve greater efficiencies in their milking routine, labour savings and other benefits.

They contacted Waikato Milking Systems and discussed the options. Their project manager took them to look at a number of dairy complexes the company had been involved with. “We wanted someone in charge of the build who would deliver exactly what we wanted, and we had confidence in Waikato Milking Systems,” Peter says.

Their project manager, Alan Moulder, treated the dairy and the whole project like it was his own. The Macdonalds chose a Waikato Orbit concrete rotary platform that integrates perfectly with a Waikato milking machine, and a range of technology enhancements.

“Waikato Milking Systems has great gear. I’m really impressed with how practical and simple it is but the technology is there. Everything is very user friendly,” Peter says.

Once Alan had a full understanding of everything the Macdonalds wanted and all the specifications were agreed, he took over running the whole project. This included getting all the designs drawn up, the resource consents approved and the contractors engaged and underway.

“Our project manager from Waikato Milking Systems was here the day the earth moving equipment arrived and he kept a really close eye on what was going on. I left him to it,” Peter says. “We changed a few things as we went – some minor things. Our project manager was happy to accommodate our changes.”

Waikato Milking Systems oversaw everything including earthworks, designing and building the dairy shed and milking system, and installing the yards and effluent pond.

 The completion of the project has dramatically changed the Macdonalds’ lives. Pam no longer has to help out with milking, as the new shed is ideal for one operator. “When you get a shed, it’s going to last a long time,” Peter says. “You want to get it right. Going with Waikato Milking Systems meant we had confidence we would get what we wanted – and we did.”

Peter says he is very impressed with the cow flow in the new complex.  “The cows transitioned to the new shed exceptionally well. It took only four days and they were flowing pretty well - within a few weeks, you would think they had been on there forever. Our cows push to get on it now.”

Asked if he would use the project management service from Waikato Milking Systems again if he wanted to build another new shed, Peter says: “Definitely”.