Patrick and Sarah Fisk are budgeting their newly installed POd system to pay for itself within two to three years. The couple who manage a 220 cow Holstein Friesian herd averaging 9,000 litres based near Burwarton, Shropshire found they immediately started to reap the benefits; POd is enabling them to make cost savings in chemical and they’re scheduled to reduce the frequency of renewing the liners from three times to twice a year.
“In the longer term we think there will be significant electricity savings to come, for example using POd to replace the 200 litre daily hot wash and clean the bulk tank,” says Patrick.
The Fisks approached Oxi-Tech after reading an article about chemical-free dairy disinfection and its eligibility for DEFRA’S FETF (Farming Equipment Technology Fund). “My initial motivation to invest in POd was to reduce the use of chemicals and all the associated plastic drums and IBC’s that frequently turned up on farm, but infrequently left,” he explains.
“However, we now consider the best thing about the system is that it just works without any input from us, as well as the fact it’s safe. There’s the added peace of mind, the farm is now a whole lot greener and we no longer have those incoming plastic containers to deal with.”
POd currently has a triple role on the unit – it services the pre-milking teat cleaner, the ADF cluster flush and the DeLaval Hygenis C200 cleaning unit. The system pulls cold water from the unit’s Oxi-Tank, so flow is guaranteed. Low voltage electricity is passed through the pulse oxidation cells in the water, which in turn creates the cleaner and disinfectant on demand. POd is programmed to automatically turn on before milking.
“We used to clean the cows’ teats with weak peracetic acid as a pre-milking spray, it wasn’t great for their udders, nor was it ideal for the staff to be around near the atomised acid spray. Since introducing POd, we are able to clean and refresh the teats with the pulse-oxidised water, it’s pH neutral and naturally safer for the cows, safer for the staff, and much better for the planet. The system initially begged the question, was it going to be as effective, however cell count is consistently holding at SCC 160 and Bactoscan 15 to 20.
“Secondly, POd has replaced 100% of the peracetic acid that was used in the cluster-flush system, so now the clusters run with a safe, pH neutral, and highly effective disinfectant. Furthermore, POd has replaced 100% of the chemicals required for terminal disinfection of the Clean-In-Place parlour wash. Also since POd is pH neutral, it is not aggressive to the rubber like the previous disinfectants so I’m anticipating its lifespan may also be extended.”
