Yes Tim this is 'next level' stuff. A project to produce bio-gas from farm anaerobic digesters, collecting methane from manure digestion, and transporting the bio-gas to an industrial park to fire an electric generation plant. This would allow a business with a 'green-power initiative' to locate in the park and utilize renewable energy.

Current low-prices of natural gas, the expansion of natural gas exploration, and low electric rates have the project on hold for now. Several farms near us operate their own digesters and produce their own electicity but the economics are not favorable. Our farm could power itself, plus sell enough electricity back into the grid to power more than 400 households. Coal, hydro, and wind power producers don't like that and continue to lobby against the concept.

The technology is there and getting more affordable. Carbon trading markets materializing would be a boost as well.

the large yellow trommel is your sand separator correct and the large black machine is a sand bedding layer?

looks like about 1K milking and about 500 replacements.....what do you do with your bull calves and how are the prices for them on your area....I would imagine the prices for them are terrible and possibly you feed them out yourself to at least feeder lot weight before selling them off for still too low of a price.....perhaps I am wrong and there are people that are into that segment of the business

are you 100% AI and do you AI with any beef semen when you do not need the chance of a dairy replacement or do you use sexed semen and forget bull calves all together

do you have anything besides Holsteins to up the fat/cream content ect.

Very nice, I had heard you had a large operation. Love upstate NY thats why I try to get up there with the boat at least once every year.

Very interesting (and refreshing) thread! What a well run operation!

Thanks for posting Sharkey!

Kurt

AGREED

Some good chit to talk about :)

Keep doing this Tim !!

Very impressive.
The yellow drum roller/back brush is awesome. I'm sure your "workers" appreciate it.

This is the kind of stuff we need to be showing and impressing upon American people, especially the kids!
Hard work, dedication, and ingenuity provide a satisfying lifestyle (not to mention sweet toys and a big ol chunk of land) instead of waiting around for someone else or the government to provide you with one. :whistle:

Wow, lots of detailed questions from someone with some obvious experience.

The yellow drum is a composter, 10'dia X 60'long to process our recycled manure solids (fiber) into a sterile bedding used to keep cows dry and comfortable.
The black machine distributes the bedding into the cows stalls while they are gone to be milked so they may return to a clean, dry bed (most are waterbed mattresses as well).
Today we milk 1850 and have 1800 youngstock, all Holstiens.
Bulls are sold to a couple growers, currently there is demand so prices are ok. May raise them a few weeks utilizing pasteurized "waste milk" from treated animals in the future if benefit was recognized.
No sexed semen, cost is factor there. Should we expand it would be an excellent tool to grow from within by effectively doubling our number of female calves born. Any further detail may need to be discussed over in the 'Uncensored' section !!

They love it ! It is motion sensed to turn it on, spins and swivels so they can work their entire bodies. They wear out the brushes, gearboxes, and motors but seem ultimately content when it's their turn for a massage.
The increase in blood flow stimulated by the machines' activity has been shown to boost immune system function as well, promoting good health.