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DeLaval preventive maintenance helps maintain optimal conditions, for high quality milk production. Arla Foods is the biggest dairy group in Scandinavia and is also heavily focused on maintenance. The company's District Manager, Bernt Andersson, says that correcting mistakes too late can be costly for the farmer.
"My experience tells me that problems will arise sooner or later if the equipment is neglected. Udder health problems are especially hard to detect, since they develop gradually over time. A yearly service and regular replacement of rubber parts, can prevent many milk quality problems and for the farmer, this prevention equals security."
By protecting the condition of your milking system, you can extend its life and maintain optimal production capacity. In the Netherlands, the dairies have jointly launched a quality label called KKM certificate, which is awarded to farmers who fulfill their maintenance program requirements – including regular replacement of parts and rubber items. KKM farmers enjoy a higher milk price for their efforts and are supported by milking equipment manufacturers.
Breakdowns are more damaging and more expensive to solve, the longer they are left undetected. The preventive maintenance program can save production interruptions and the costs of resulting downtime. In Argentina, a group of dairy farmers participated in a quality analysis project designed to assess the necessity for using an annual service program - including checking consumables, spare parts and hygiene products. Over 85 per cent of the group declared they have lowered their production costs, increased milk quality and reduced the number of equipment breakdowns, through regular servicing.
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