Investing in modern day technology is something that has paid off for the Brisbane's – John and son, Stephen – who turned to automation for their milking cows in a bid to overcome the challenge of labour shortages and modernise their dairy unit at Gartclush Farm, Bannockburn.

The Scottish Farmer: Lisa, Charlotte(6week), Stephen, Rory(2), John and Diane Ref:RH091121025 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Lisa, Charlotte(6week), Stephen, Rory(2), John and Diane Ref:RH091121025 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Now a common feature on modern dairy farms, robots are making a huge difference to the lives of John and Diane Brisbane, son Stephen and his wife Lisa and their two children, Rory and Charlotte.

The Brisbane family have called Gartclush their home for 130 years and with the farm now housing some 200 Holstein cross cattle and 150 young stock, the father-and-son team were all too aware of the pressure to spend time in the dairy while managing seasonal busy periods at their arable business. In 2009, the family started looking at automation as a way forward and were the first farm in the Stirlingshire area to invest in brand new robots.

The Scottish Farmer: Home to the Brisbane family Ref:RH091121046 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Home to the Brisbane family Ref:RH091121046 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

"We were working with an old parlour that was needing replaced and also experiencing staff shortages during the busier times of the year, so we looked to robots as a viable long-term option for the herd," said Stephen.

"With the help of our local specialists, McCaskie Country Stores, we invested in two Fullwood M2erlin robots in 2009, before purchasing a third robot a year and a half later. It has been one of the best investments we have made to date and you can see that our cows are much more content as they can get milked whenever it suits them," he added.

The Scottish Farmer: beef-sired calves are kept on the cow's milk until they are sold between one and two-months-of-age Ref:RH091121026 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...beef-sired calves are kept on the cow's milk until they are sold between one and two-months-of-age Ref:RH091121026 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

"It took a little while for the cows, and us, to get used to a new routine but with the cattle now fully trained and the robots running 24/7, we haven't looked back. On average, the cattle are being milked three times per day with most productive animals heading to the robot five times per day," added John.

The Scottish Farmer: Kept in pens of two for two weeks and then fed via automatic calf feeders in larger pens Ref:RH091121027 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Kept in pens of two for two weeks and then fed via automatic calf feeders in larger pens Ref:RH091121027 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Before the installation of the three robots, the cattle gave on average 8540litres, however, rolling average milk yields now stand at an impressive 10,500litres at 4.10%BF and 3.25%P.

The herd is primarily comprised of Holstein cross cattle, with the family focussing on cross breeding their Holsteins to Norwegian Reds and Montbeliardes over the years, in a bid to improve longevity within the herd.

The Scottish Farmer: Cow comfort is important, cow mattress and fresh saw dust are used in the cubicle shed Ref:RH091121044 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Cow comfort is important, cow mattress and fresh saw dust are used in the cubicle shed Ref:RH091121044 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

All cattle are artificially inseminated, with the heifers receiving sexed semen and cows being crossed to either British Blue or Simmental genetics.

"Historically, we have always worked with Simmental and British Blue genetics as the calves seem to attract the best prices at through the market," explained Stephen.

The Scottish Farmer: Holstein cross cattle which are milked on robots and produce a rolling herd average of 10,500 litres Ref:RH091121031 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Holstein cross cattle which are milked on robots and produce a rolling herd average of 10,500 litres Ref:RH091121031 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

"We also genetic tested our heifers last year so we could accurately match up bulls, with all the AI'ing process being carried out by ourselves."

With young stock and heifers being grazed outside throughout the summer before being brought home and placed indoors, the milking herd on the other hand are housed 24/7 across three sheds on mattresses and dried sawdust, which is sourced from AW Jenkinson Forest Products, Penrith, Cumbria.

The Scottish Farmer: Two Fullwood Merlin robots were installed in 2009, before purchasing a third robot a year and a half later lRef:RH091121036 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...Two Fullwood Merlin robots were installed in 2009, before purchasing a third robot a year and a half later lRef:RH091121036 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

"We find sawdust the ideal when it comes to cow comfort and cleanliness. We find the cows are lying for longer and have less bruising, as well as being happier all round," John stated.

The housing sheds are fitted with vent air sheets, with John and Stephen recently installing in fans for the cubical sheds, due to a lack of ventilation and cattle becoming hot during the summer months. Slatted channels are also located throughout the buildings that feeds the concrete walled slurry store tank, which has a holding capacity of six months.

The Scottish Farmer: New silage pits at Gartclush, silage is taken over four cuts with the first commencing mid-May and then three further cuts taken every six weeks following Ref:RH091121032 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...New silage pits at Gartclush, silage is taken over four cuts with the first commencing mid-May and then three further cuts taken every six weeks following Ref:RH091121032 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Investment hasn't stopped there, with the family opting for solar panels to be fitted onto one shed roof, in a bid to save money and the shed electricity to pay for itself.

With the majority of cattle inside during the year, it enables John and Stephen to make more quality silage, which is taken over four cuts with the first commencing mid-May and then three further cuts taken every six weeks following.

Quality feeding is another aspect of ensuring a healthy herd and the family rely on the knowledge and experience of independent nutritionist, John Barns, of JB Nutrition, in order to ensure they are getting the most out of their cattle.

The Scottish Farmer: concrete walled slurry storage tank, which has a holding capacity of six months Ref:RH091121034 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...concrete walled slurry storage tank, which has a holding capacity of six months Ref:RH091121034 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

"We have worked with John for a number of years now as he certainly knows what he is talking about and it allows us to make the right decisions for our herd," stated John.

"The milking herd receive a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) of four cuts of our own silage, a protein blend sourced from Marshall Owen, Kirkintilloch, some home-grown crimped wheat and wholecrop peas sourced from local farm, Mossnuik," added Stephen.

"Milking stock also receive a little cake at the robots, with quantity dependant on the individual cow's yield, whilst young stock are fed the same TMR throughout the winter months."

The Scottish Farmer: To make miilk cows need access to fresh water, so with no shortest of water trough in the shed all fitted with quick release plugs for easy draining and cleaning Ref:RH091121043 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...To make miilk cows need access to fresh water, so with no shortest of water trough in the shed all fitted with quick release plugs for easy draining and cleaning Ref:RH091121043 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...

Following the trend of looking to have their calving interval to below 400 days, John and Stephen have the herd sitting at an interval of 375 days.

Cows are dried off for 50 days prior to calving and have are fed haylage and second cut silage, as well as receiving the calcium blocker, X Zelit, three weeks prior to calving in order to prevent milk fever occurring.

Following calving, calves are left on their mothers for the first three days for colostrum uptake, before being moved into pens of two for two weeks and then fed via automatic calf feeders. On the flip side, the beef-sired calves are kept on the cow's milk until they are sold between one and two-months-of-age, through Lawrie and Symington's Lanark market, where the 2020 crop averaged £360 for 140 sold.

As well as their busy dairy enterprise, the Brisbane's farm 250 acres of arable crop which includes spring barley, winter barley and winter wheat, With the home-grown wheat being crimped and used in the cows' TMR, most of the Gartclush barley is sold on for feeding, with this year's crop cashing in at £195 per tonne.

The family have also recently invested in a new shed for their crop due to a lack of storage under the main buildings.

"This was a financial-based decision as, previously, we were forced to sell crop at harvest time with temporary storage– regardless of the price – before young stock came indoors for wintering. With the addition of a new storage shed, we can sell our barley at any time of year when prices are at their highest," explained Stephen.

Looking to the future, John and Stephen are confident that their herd will continue to flourish in what seems to be a bleak future for dairy farmers.

"It is a worry that there is not the same number of younger farmers coming behind with the same enthusiasm for dairying. That coupled with staff shortages and the unknown future regarding milk prices, we can see this being a real problem for dairy farmers across the country," commented John.

"In regards to the future of our herd, in the long run we would like to maintain the quality of our cattle, as well as milk yield and longevity of our cows, however, we are very much content with our system here at Gartclush."

FARMfacts:

  • Gartclush is home to the Brisbane family: John and Diane Brisbane, son Stephen and his wife Lisa and their two children, Rory and Charlotte.
  • Cattle ­– 150 young stock and 200 Holstein cross cattle which are milked on robots and produce a rolling herd average of 10,500 litres.
  • Cropping – 500 acres comprising 250 arable and 250 temporary grassland. Crops grown include spring barley, winter barley and winter wheat. Four cuts of silage are taken, with the first commencing mid-May and then a cut taken every six weeks following.
  • Labour – John and Stephen alongside one full-time worker and one part-time worker.
  • Contract – All milk is contracted with Grahams The Family Dairy and has been for the past 20 years.

ONTHEspot:

  • Best investment – It would definitely have to be the robots.
  • Favourite breed – Holsteins
  • Favourite restaurant – A favourite of ours is Miller and Carter, in Edinburgh.