News

The Evo Cleaner is a unique washing robot developed for washing pig houses.  The robot streamlines and enables automated washing around the clock, completely programmed according to your specific barn interior and washing needs.  The Evo Cleaner is a time, cost and water efficient choice.

Staff shortages, increased labor costs and consistency in washing are just a few reasons why customers are purchasing the Envirologic Pig Washing Robot.  Glenlock Beef & Bacon and McMahon Family Enterprises recently contacted Stockyard Industries to enquire about the emerging technology.  After thorough discussions with the Stockyard Industries team, consideration was given to how the machine would benefit each specific farm shed layout with both producers making the decision to invest in an Evo Cleaner to assist with the strenuous and unpleasant job of washing out their Pig houses.  Included with the purchase were two days setup and training with an experienced Stockyard Industries Technician, who ensured customers were confident on how to program and use the Robot and also to provide ongoing support.  Now down the track, both farms are seeing incredible results.

In January 2023, Glenlock Beef & Bacon, a family owned 450 sow piggery, based in South Australia, received their unit.  The team purchased an Evo Cleaner to use in their Farrowing house which has a lot of equipment and obstacles with the purpose being to save time and money and to give piglets the best possible start in life with a hygienic environment.  Here is an insight from the farm manager:

“Our farrowing shed has been retrofitted over time leaving us with a couple of inconsistent pen sizes. The Evo Cleaner follows it’s wash program so precisely that when it came to these obscure pens, the Robot touched the side of the crate causing the machine to shut off and send me a text message notification alert.  This was easily fixed given we have the ability to add small ‘wash recipes’ over the top of the original programing without having to start again from scratch.  This is also handy if we ever want to fine tune the programing to focus on any areas with large manure build up or areas that get missed.  Stockyard Industries provided countless hours of support not only with the initial setup but anytime we have had any questions or an issue arises.

“Our shed design allows for 16 crates to be automatically cleaned as part of a wash run.  We can start the Evo Cleaner as soon as one row has been weaned, which allows us to continue weaning the other rows and giving our piglets our full attention knowing we’re not falling behind with our wash routine.  We then set it again to start washing before going home at the end of the day allowing the machine to work well into the night knowing we’ll arrive the next day to clean crates.  So far, we’re currently saving 4 hours with each wash every time we wean which frees up our staff to focus on more constructive tasks.  Given the short turnaround time of a farrowing shed under a batching system, the Evo Cleaner has proven itself invaluable.  It’s become something in which we rely heavily on now and we’re excited to see what else we can program it to do in the future.”

In July 2023 McMahon Family Enterprises (McPiggery) who run a 1650 sow piggery in South Australia took ownership of their new Evo Cleaner.  With the robot being used in conventional grower sheds to clean out group pens, consisting of concrete floors & walls, feeders, drinkers and other equipment.  The McPiggery maintenance manager who worked alongside the Stockyard Industries Technician during the setup and training has provided the following comments after having the machine operational for over six months now.

“Like every conventional grower shed these pens are often left with 50-70mm of built-up manure that previously took numerous workers close to a full day to wash. Varying from shed to shed the labor hours required would range from 16 to a worst case of 24hrs. Now the machine is set up the day before we clean and operates throughout the night allowing it to remove 90% of the heavily soiled manure before staff arrive the next morning.  Following the introduction of the Evo Cleaner we’ve managed to reduce our labor to two staff members that wash for half a day (8 -12 hrs depending on the shed) as they come through and touch up the remaining 10% of the shed that needs the extra attention and complete the disinfection process.  This allows them more time in the afternoon to focus on other important and beneficial maintenance and husbandry tasks.

The Evo Cleaner has been so successful at the first site we are now installing more infrastructure at our other Grower sites to make further use of the cleaner.

Cleaning the grower shed floors is often a long strenuous and tedious task.  Now with the use of our Evo Cleaner we’ve been able to provide a much safer and pleasant working environment leaving our staff members with improved job satisfaction.  As well as being reliable, the robot has also reduced our risk of fatigue and repetitive strain injuries among our team.  Stockyard Industries have provided exceptional backup support and having a Technician on farm to take our staff through the setup and operation for two days was an added bonus.”

The Stockyard Industry team will be displaying at the 2024 PIX, AMC and APL Conference – Food with Purpose, being held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre 13^th to 15^th May.  An Evo Cleaner will be available and demonstrations shown on how a unit can benefit your farm.  For further information or to discuss how the Evo Cleaner could save you time and money and make your wash routine easier, contact a member of the Stockyard Industries sales team today.

Marcus recently visited Big Dutchman Asia HQ in Klang, Malaysia.

Celebrating Enduring Partnership

Farrowing shed gets a makeover through Stockyard Industries

Stockyard Industries has been supplying the Australian Pig Industry with not only quality farm equipment but also farm design and shed construction for more than 30 years.

Recently, Stockyard Industries, has facilitated the design and refurbishment of a 138 sow farrowing shed.  Thanks to the expertise of IKC, a leading manufacturing and construction company in pig housing solutions, the farrowing shed had a major upgrade. The ageing facility has been rejuvenated with Big Dutchman ventilation, control systems, alarm systems, cool cell dog boxes, new fans and ceiling inlets. The climate control has been enhanced, ensuring optimal ventilation for the sows and their piglets all year round.

The equipment installation and shed modifications were performed by IKC Industries who are very experienced within the industry.  IKC manufacture and build Australia wide and are specifically focussed on the agriculture sector.  They work extensively within the intensive farming industry in the Pig and Poultry sectors, covering all aspects of design, manufacturing, construction and shed erection.  They work closely with clients to understand their needs to provide innovative technologies that enhance profitability, lower maintenance costs and improve day to day operations.

Stockyard Industries technicians complete commissioning of required equipment and have the ability to support and service the farm on an ongoing basis.  A Service Agreement can also be constructed between the primary producer and Stockyard Industries to plan technicians to return to the farm and check on technical equipment periodically throughout the year.  Remote, phone support is available to ensure the equipment and the farm are operating at optimal performance.

According to the farm manager, the refurbishment project was smooth and straight forward. He said, Cam Ross from Stockyard Industries and IKC were very professional and efficient, and delivered the project well. He also praised the quality of the materials used and also the regular updates and consistent communication with how the project was progressing.

The refurbished farrowing shed will bring many benefits to the farm.  It will create a better working environment that is much easier and better for staff to work in as they can monitor and manage the sows and piglets more effectively. The new automated system will reduce labour costs and improve productivity as well as improve welfare of sows and piglets.

When considering new, refurbished, upgrades or extensions to pig production facilities, contact Stockyard Industries!

“Big Dutchman Feed Milling equipment through Stockyard Industries”

Big Dutchman (Scandinavia) Feed Mill is a company that is part of the Big Dutchman group, which is a global leader in pig and poultry production equipment. Stockyard Industries is the Australian distributor of Big Dutchman Feed Mills and equipment.

Big Dutchman (Scandinavia), with more than 80 years of international experience has become a market leader in developing computer controlled, feeding systems.  They have built a strong reputation for quality, service and innovation.  Located in Denmark, farmers in the area have had a long tradition for having their own crop production, and therefore it became natural for them to look for the possibility to produce their own feed to reduce the cost of externally purchasing feed for the farm animals.  In the 1990´s as farms grew bigger, the demand for computers to control these Feed Mills grew with it. This was the kick-start for Big Dutchman (Scandinavia) to enter this market. Due to the high experience in having computers to control farm equipment, Big Dutchman (Scandinavia) was fast becoming one of the key producers of high quality, farm Feed Mills.  Since then, many Feed Mill´s in different sizes, have been installed all over the world.

Feed milling is a critical process for farmers who want to produce their own feed mixes from home-grown cereals and other ingredients. It can also be beneficial to the overall farm, as it allows farmers to have more control over their feed quality and quantity, save transport costs and increase flexibility.  Feed Milling requires high-quality equipment, efficient energy use and precise control of the feed quality and quantity.  That is why many farmers choose Big Dutchman Scandinavia Feed Mill, a company that offers innovative and reliable technology and equipment for feed production.

A wide range of products for Feed Milling is available from Big Dutchman such as drum cleaners that remove sand and foreign particles from the crops before milling, filters that reduce moisture and dust in the feed, hammer mills, dry mixers that ensure homogeneous mixing of the ingredients, silos that store the grain and mixed feed safely and conveniently and pelleting equipment that compresses the feed into pellets or crumbles for better digestibility and reduced waste. These products are designed to meet the diverse needs and preferences of farmers, whether they want to produce fine or coarse meals, organic or conventional feed, small or large batches.

One of the most remarkable products of Big Dutchman Feed Mill is the MBM rotary grain mill, which combines high capacity with control of the resulting particle size for the production of fine meals. The MBM rotary grain mill is claimed to reduce energy use by 50%, compared with conventional milling.  It also has longer-lasting flails and screen, which reduce maintenance costs and downtime. The MBM rotary grain mill can handle different types of cereals and grains, such as wheat, barley, corn and soybeans.  It can also be adjusted to produce different particle sizes, depending on the desired feed quality and animal performance.

Big Dutchman Scandinavia Feed Mill in conjunction with Stockyard Industries are more than just suppliers of equipment.  They are also a partner of farmers who want to improve their feed production and animal performance.  The companies provide custom-designed solutions that are adapted to the individual requirements and goals of each farm. They offer technical support, training and after-sales service to ensure that the equipment runs smoothly and efficiently.

Today, Feed Mills are available in sizes of 1-20 ton an hour for livestock animals such as pigs and layers / poultry.  The main product, and all the key machines, are still developed and produced in Denmark by Big Dutchman (Scandinavia) with a high focus on quality, low maintenance equipment and with low running costs.

Advantages of Big Dutchman Feed Mills:

• High energy efficiency. Power usage of 10-15 kw per ton produced feed (from intake to delivery)
• Available spare parts
• Focus on high accuracy in dosing and mixing (10 and 100 gram accuracy on scales)
• Low demand for manpower via complete automation
• Standard setups, but customized for each customer

Here is a comment from a farm owner who has recently installed a Big Dutchman Feed Mill:

“With Farm Milling from Big Dutchman, we get a quick and easy overview of the status of the Mill. High quality feed is produced from our own recipes through using equipment that is simple to operate and train staff to use.”

When considering a Feed Mill, contact Cameron Ross from Stockyard Industries at cameron@stockyardindustries.com or  0488 045 388.

(F) PIG-Milling and Mixing Systems

Singh Enterprises Pty Ltd:  A Poultry Farm with a Vision – expansion through Stockyard Industries

Poultry farming is a challenging and competitive industry that requires constant innovation and adaptation to meet the demands of consumers, regulators and environmentalists.  Singh Enterprises Pty Ltd, Tamrookum location, is a poultry broiler farm situated 90 km’s south east of Brisbane and a farm that has embraced the latest technology and best practices to ensure the welfare of its birds and quality of its products.

Singh Enterprises recently expanded to ten sheds and installed Big Dutchman farm equipment, a world leader in innovative equipment for modern egg, poultry and pig production.  The equipment includes LB White Heaters, ventilation systems, cooling systems, mini vents, pad cooling, controllers, feed lines, drinker lines, cross auger functionality and stir fans.  These features help to create an optimal climate for the birds, regulate the temperature and humidity, reduce ammonia emissions and dust levels, and improve feed conversion and growth rates.

The farm owner, Teja Singh, said that the investment in Big Dutchman equipment was motivated by his vision to provide the best possible environment for his birds.  He said that he was familiar with  the performance and reliability of the equipment, as well as the service and support of Stockyard Industries.  Teja thoroughly investigated product options in the market before progressing with Big Dutchman equipment through Stockyard Industries.  Product reliability at a competitive price, customer service and ongoing support were contributing factors in his decision.  Another major consideration was the technical expertise offered by Stockyard Industries.  Jade Grundmann and Jude Parfitt, Stockyard Industries Technical Managers, commissioned the sheds.  Jade has been in the industry and worked on Big Dutchman products for over twenty years and Jude, being a qualified electrician, has also been working in the Poultry and Pig Industries for many years.  They smoke tested the sheds and tested all electrical and mechanical products adjusting settings and controls in conjunction with the farm manager to get the sheds operating exactly how the site requires.  Jade and Jude spent time with staff training them on the controller and are only a phone call away to respond to any and all questions.  An added advantage is that Jude lives within a short drive from this farm so is available to attend in person on limited notice if needed.

Singh Enterprises Pty Ltd is an example of a progressive and responsible poultry farm that strives to meet the highest standards of animal welfare and environmental sustainability.  By using Big Dutchman equipment, the farm has improved its productivity and efficiency while also reducing its energy consumption.  Stockyard Industries commends Singh Enterprises Pty Ltd for its vision and leadership in the poultry industry and looks forward to partnering in future expansions.

When considering new, refurbished, upgrades or extensions to poultry production facilities, contact Stockyard Industries at www.stockyardindustries.com.

VIV Asia is an international trade show focused on animal husbandry and processing. It takes place every two years in Bangkok, Thailand, and attracts professionals from the feed, meat, dairy, and aquaculture industries. The event features exhibits from companies showcasing the latest products, technologies, and services related to animal production and processing. It also offers a platform for industry experts to share knowledge and insights through seminars, conferences, and networking opportunities. VIV Asia aims to promote sustainable and efficient animal production practices, and to facilitate business opportunities for industry players from around the world. Marcus Jones, Steve Clohesy and Cameron Ross from Stockyard all attended the event in early March. They had the opportunity to attend Big Dutchman Seminars and network with current and potential new suppliers and learn about new trends and technologies

After a three-year break Marcus Jones (Managing Director) and Cam Ross (Sales Manager- Pigs) took the opportunity to travel to Hannover, Germany in November to visit Euro Tier, the world’s leading trade fair in animal farming and livestock management. With over 1,800 exhibitors from 57 countries, this was an excellent opportunity for the Stockyards team to visit old friends, suppliers  investigate new products and systems to suit the Australian Pig and Poultry markets. This time was well spent. In the coming months customers will start to see new products and innovations what Marcus and Cam found. It was also very interesting talking to many people on the new welfare codes that being integrated in Europe and the equipment that goes with that.

After the show Cam Ross also had the opportunity to Visit Big Dutchman headquarters in Vecta, Germany and toured the warehousing, show room and office Facilities. Big Dutchman also organised for Cam to visit a farm displaying BD ActivWell freedom farrowing crate on farm. Cam also travelled  to Denmark and visited Big Dutchman Scandinavia to tour BD Feed milling including 4,10 and 20 ton per hour mills.