Latest News from Maxwell Concrete
July 2010
Where do you place your drinking troughs?
Providing cows with ample supplies of fresh drinking water is a key requirement on every dairy farm. Traditionally drinkers have been placed beside fences or boundary hedges. However with the size of local dairy herds continuing to increase, milk producers are faced with the challenge of providing cows with the opportunity to drink regularly without the stress of waiting in a queue while herd mates take their turn.
Water is just as important as feed when it comes to realising a cow’s milk production potential. The secret is to ensure that she can get as much as she wants as quickly as possible, after which she can take the weight off her feet and rest up accordingly.
Keith Russell milks 230 dairy cows near Dromore in Co Tyrone. He is ably assisted by his two sons Dylan and Dale. Cows are fed to maximise milk output. However, getting as much milk from forage, including grazed grass, is an equally important objective for the herd.
“The fresh calvers are kept in at this time for the year,” Keith explained.
“However, those cows in mid lactation and beyond are put into the paddocks as soon as the weather permits. Turnout this year was at the end of the April and we had the cows out night and day by the end of May.”
The Russell farm features a series of well laid out and well fenced paddocks. Grassland management is also good with significant quantities of clover featuring in all of the grazing swards. However, Keith’s mind had been turning to the challenge of providing the cows with sufficient water while at grass.
“It was my intention to buy a number of new drinkers this year,” Keith continued.
“But I wanted to ensure that, once in place, the cows would have the best possible access to the water available. The most obvious way of achieving this was to place the drinkers in the centre of each paddock. In this way the cows could come at the water from all directions, while walking the least possible distance.”
The next challenge facing Keith was to find the trough that best met this need. He quickly settled on the 300 gallon design manufactured by Maxwell Concrete, which includes high rate ball valves.
“It’s a precast, rectangular drinker with a large perimeter. This means that groups of cows can drink in comfort together,” he confirmed.
“The troughs are manufactured to an extremely high standard and they really are built to last. I am happy that there is now a water supply into the [paddocks which really does meet the needs of the cows in full.”
A spokesperson for Maxwell Concrete confirmed that Keith is able to position his drinkers in the middle of his paddocks because of their centre core pipe protection system. As a result farmers can avail of a reliable and dependable water supply shielded from livestock and frost. The pipe comes up from underneath the drinker rather than the side entrance which, in many cases, is why farmers are tied to butting up against a wire fence or hedge.
Maxwell Concrete now manufactures a range of 15, 30 and 75 gallon drinkers, for both sheep and cows. The company’s full fast flow range includes 100, 190, 300, and 600 gallon options. All of these products are available from stockists province wide.
June 2010
Demand for slats on the increase?
Castlederg-based Maxwell Concrete has confirmed that demand for its slat range is on the increase as farmers seek to invest in the future of their businesses.
“The significant turnaround in the fortunes of dairy farming over the past number of months has been a key factor in bringing this about,” explained Maxwell Concrete Sales Manager Padhraic ----“
“Good flooring systems go to the very heart of good livestock farming practice. Animals need a reliable surface on which to stand and walk, one that will provide support while, at the same time, reducing the issues associated with lameness and other foot related problems.”
Padhraic continued:
“There is an ongoing requirement for slats and flooring systems in new sheds. However, a key factor in the market at present is the growing demand for replacement slats, both singles and gangs.
“With cattle currently out at grass, now is an appropriate time for farmers to look at purchasing the replacement slats they will need prior to next winter.”
Maxwell Concrete manufactures a comprehensive range of single and gang slat options. Gangs range in length from 7’ to 13’ with half sizes available. The standard width is 3’6”. A slat surface of 5½” provides maximum comfort for animals with a 1½” spacing providing adequate opening for manure to be pushed through. Single slats range in length form 7’ to 10½’
“Our slats have a brush finish as standard,” continued Padhraic.
“This provides livestock with a confident footing, thus reducing the likelihood of injury during housing. Smooth, tapered sides prevent a build up of manure, thereby ensuring that cattle are kept clean.”
Padhraic concluded:
“We also manufacture slatted mixing points, which are growing in popularity with farmers across Northern Ireland. These are produced to depths of 6” and 7 ½” to run in with existing products.”
January 2010
Maxwell Concrete promises product choice
Farmers and agricultural merchants alike should take the opportunity to carefully consider the options available for the year ahead by visiting Maxwell Concrete’s exhibition stand at H13, adjacent to the main entrance at this years Spring Farm Machinery Show. Available to view is a varied range of agricultural products including agricultural stock walls, retaining walls, counterbalance weights and fast flow drinkers from 100G to 600G.
“Year on year we try to develop and expand new and existing agricultural products and Fintona Show is the perfect location to show-case these products. We find that local farmers are more inclined to give an honest opinion on what’s right and what’s not!” commented a company spokesperson. “Since last year we have taken on board suggestions from farmers with regard to developing practical agricultural products as well as other innovative ideas which we’re sure to be of interest to many”
Storage Divider Solutions
One new and improved product which will make a re-appearance on the company’s stand promises to provide farmers with an easy solution to accessing their silage face. Also re-emerging is your answer to portable dividing walls; engaging the need for moveability and durability the APEX Wall which as been developed in response to customer recommendations is a simple response to storage dividers for grain, feed or seed.
Over the three-day show sales and technical representatives will be on hand to advise you on the full range of products.
Also at the show visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to win a 190G fast flow drinker by entering our draw with all ticket proceeds being donated to Livability? The money raised will be used to assist in the provision of rehabilitation services for wheelchair bound patients in Bangladesh and Nepal.
September 2009
Are you prepared for winter housing?
With the increasingly bad weather we have experienced this summer many farmers are already reluctantly housing a large majority of their herd during the night while still being turned out to grass during the day. Dairy cows can have a longer productive life and a better quality life in well-managed farms based on grazing at pasture when the weather allows, and a combination solid and slatted flooring system for housing when needed.
With this in mind Maxwell Concrete are stocking single slats in 6” increments from 7’ to 10’6” in length in both 6” and 7” deep. A company spokesperson noted “However much we tried to encourage our customers to use gang slats they never listened! The single slat is still undoubtedly a very essential product to make accessible to the farmer, so in conjunction with this we are now producing our inside safety slats 6” deep in order to support existing tanks laid with 6” products.
A company spokesperson further commented “now is an ideal time to inspect winter housing areas, paying particular attention to slats that may present a likelihood of slipping, causing possible leg injuries or where the gaps between the slats have become damaged potentially resulting in foot injuries. Water troughs should also be checked for damage to ensure that winter housed livestock have appropriate access to fresh water at all times. Our 19G and 30G drinkers are compact enough to provide water in the smallest of pens while our larger capacity drinkers can facilitate up to fourteen cows at any given time”.
If you require any advice on replacement slats or water troughs please contact Kirstin at Maxwell Concrete on 028 816 71326
August 2009
600G MEGA Drinker showcased at Fermanagh County Show 2009.
Castlederg based Maxwell Concrete launched their 600G MEGA Drinker on its stand at Fermanagh County Show. Its large capacity is purposefully designed to accommodate demands for water whether it is for large herd numbers or where grazing areas are situated some distance from mains supply.
It may also be positioned near or at exits to parlours where it can facilitate up to fourteen cows at any given time. With MEGA drinker purchases you can expect a fully galvanised pipe protection system, fibre reinforcement and all necessary fittings for immediate use.
Prize draw with Derek Thornton see’s two local farmers scoop the cash!
The much anticipated prize draws for £500 and £1000 also took place during the days entertainment with Fermanagh’s very own local farmer Derek Thornton pulling out the two lucky winners, Mr Hugh McGowan from Fintona and Mr Tommy Colton from Drumquin. A company spokesperson said “We are delighted to announce Hugh and Tommy as our lucky competition winners for 2008. Last year we celebrated our 45th year in the business and we decided to offer the cash prizes in celebration of that. The draw covered the UK and Ireland so to have two local men win it is great”.
Maxwell Concrete are winners for Best Trade Stand at Fermanagh County Show 2009!
Maxwell Concrete also won first place for Best Trade Stand for Manufacturing at Fermanagh County Show.
July 2009
Local farmer Derek Thornton to pull out the two lucky cash prize winners at Fermanagh County Show on 5th August 2009 as well has the unveiling of the new 600G MEGA Drinker – not for the faint hearted!
June 2009
Fermanagh County Show will be the location for Maxwell Concrete’s much awaited cash prize draws for £500 and £1000.
May 2009
New range of cattle troughs help you get more for your money
April 2009
Product Launch of Silage Season Products
February 2009
Maxwell Concrete appear in latest edition of the Scottish Farmer - article titled "High Speed Concrete laying from Maxwell" - read the article in PDF Format by clicking the graphic below:
Maxwell Concrete attend the Scottish Farm Machinery Show at Ecclesmachen, East Lothian.