Bosta awarded GS Agri Systems the project for commissioning and installing the main supply lines, pump house, and tank connections for their intuitively designed Precision Effluent Dispersal System. GS Agri’s scope for works was to connect a pre-existing storage tank fed from a pre-filtration system and an aeration pit. The material of choice was PE and specifically PE100 SDR11 and due to the diameter of the connection and supply line being DN150 and 125mm it required GS Agri to Fusion Weld instead of traditional compression methods. The installation of the pipeline consisted of 25 x 6m straight lengths (150m) with Fusion Weld sockets every 6m heated to an optimum of 220 degrees over a pre-calibrated time period of which is automatically calculated via the Welding machine to make sure each joint is welded efficiently and correctly.  GS Agri installed a concrete base/platform for the combined pump, automatic backflush, and controller system of which is the heartbeat of the system. Bosta provided GS Agri with a bespoke install design in which they required the entry of the pipes into the pump shed to come in from underneath rather than the common route of through the sidewall.

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Some points you may wish to think about:

1. Does your farm have long distribution lines – Biofilm can be up and not only cause bacteria but can cause a slower water flow
2. Do you use large water storage tanks? Sometimes dairy farms use cold water to cool down the milk, the water that is stored is then used to feed the cows. Warmer water will harvest bacteria in the tanks and the distribution network.
3. Dirty water troughs – bacteria will grow
4. Do you know what minerals are in the water? Has a lab test been carried out?
5. Use of return from plate coolers, this is warmer water where bacteria will thrive
6. Are calves fed milk replacer using the same water cows are drinking? If yes, how Is the health and growth of the calf? These young animals are more sensitive to poor water quality.

Ideally, water temperature should be around 15-17 c. The most common water quality problems affecting livestock production include bacterial contamination and high concentrations of minerals, (Iron and Manganese, for example). A build-up of vaccines, medication, etc in the drinker lines along with the bacteria will cause a biofilm and slime.

Harvesting Rainwater is another way of getting cleaner and fresher water to your livestock and after all, it’s free.

See the link to our rainwater harvesting systems: https://www.gs-agrisystems.com/rainwater-harvesting/

GS Agri Systems can:

Add water meters onto lines – This way you can monitor how much water is being consumed. Ensure water is clean.

Design a bespoke and install a water filtration system

Chlorine Dioxide, Dutrion. Will remove biofilm from lines and sanitise water, it can also be used on the Milking robots.

Dosing of Dutrion is best directly into the water distribution network. We like to improve the water cleanness of in the trough.
Ensure a fresh/clean water supply with our external water storage tanks

Full/Empty sensor on troughs to re-fill as and when required

Booster pumps can be used to increase the pressure of the water so not trough need run dry

Contact adene on +44 (0) 7528358544 or email adene@www.gs-agrisystems.com to discuss your requirement.

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For dairy cows, water is an essential nutrient. It has a fundamental effect on cows’ health, milk yield and saliva production. Water is essential for all of a cow’s basic physiological, and it is consumed in very high quantities by cattle.

A reliable source of fresh farm water is a necessity for farming dairy herds.  Water availability and quality are crucial for animal health and productivity. Poor quality drinking water is often a factor for limited water intake for farm animals. As the old saying goes, you can take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink, particularly if the water is of poor quality.

Dairy cows drink 100 litres of water per day, on average. With even the slightest water problems, dairy cows can be down in milk yield by 10-20%. Since milk is 87% water, milk production is inextricably linked to water intake.

Effects of Bad Water on Dairy Cows

Bad water quality can lead to production, digestion and reproduction problems. If cows do not consume enough water, their milk yield will suffer; they will not produce saliva and other fluids to assist them in digesting feedstuffs.

It is estimated that 4.5lbs of water is required to make 1lb of milk. Therefore, a cow producing 45 litres of milk per day needs to consume about 180 litres of water per day. If she eats 50kg of her ration that contains 50% moisture, she will get 25 litres of water from that ration and will only actually drink 155 litres of water per day.

Signs of Cow Low Water Intake

Some visible signs of water intake problems include cows lapping at water, blowing bubbles in water and hovering over the water tank. Energy will decrease if not enough water is consumed.

High somatic cell count and dirty water can be related. Lowering the germ count of water is therefore important to fight high somatic cell count.

 Drinking fresh, clean water will help to

• Eliminate waste
• Maintain body fluids
• Aid digestion
• Absorb nutrients and metabolise nutrients
• Remove excess heat

Experts in Farm Water Filtration and Purification

Our expert advice and solutions to farmers and producers cover water filtration, storage, pumps and piping. We also have a wealth of experience in diagnosing water quality, including the eradication of pollutants and biohazard removal.

“Water is the most important nutrient on your farm.”

Protecting farmers’ livelihoods means looking after livestock. Among our experience and expertise are solutions for:

• water filtration and purification https://www.gs-agrisystems.com/water-filtration/
• H2O analysis
• dosing systems design and installation  https://www.gs-agrisystems.com/dosing-systems/
• biosecurity, treatment and prevention of hazards including viruses and bacteria https://www.gs-agrisystems.com/biosecurity/
• water storage https://www.gs-agrisystems.com/water-storage-tanks/
• diagnostics and testing
• eradication of pollutants in water supply systems from boreholes etc

Protecting livestock, Safeguarding livelihoods. GS Agri Systems are an established supplier of premium products to ensure water quality in farms.

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Happy #International Women’s Day

GS Agri Systems’ Director Adene Scullion gives an insight into her role in the agricultural industry and how it can offer so many career opportunities for women.

How did you get into the agricultural industry? My husband, Gabriel, has worked in agriculture all his life and is from a farming family so it stemmed from there. Gabriel decided back in 2015 he would like to work for himself, and that’s where it all started really. I began working with Gabriel in 2015 whilst also in full-time employment. As the business got busier we saw an opportunity for me to go full-time so I left my job to work for the family business.

What does GS Agri Systems do? We specialise in water quality – from analyzing water to designing bespoke water filtration systems. We also supply and install rainwater harvesting systems, external water storage tanks, and boost pumps, alongside dosing systems and chemicals.

What is your role in the company? I manage the office looking after sales, marketing, purchasing, and accounts but you can also find me getting stuck in doing a sales pitch or farm talk in my wellies!

What are the best aspects of your job? Being your own boss, managing your time, and making decisions.

What challenges have you met and overcome? Like every company, we have been faced with many challenges. For me personally, it has been selling into a new industry and trying to make a go of it. Of course, the most recent challenges have been as a result of Brexit and adjusting to the new rules and requirements. For example, we have had to look at sourcing products from the EU as it’s proving very difficult to get supplies from GB. I have also had to research and learn about the details of biosecurity so I can confidently advise farmers and produce relevant quotations.

I never in a million years thought I would know so much about Red Mite’s breeding cycle!

How do balance work life and family life? Being a mum of two and running your own business can be tricky. I’m a very organised person and think this helps keep me on track with work and home life. Sometimes work creeps into family time and vice versa but I try to run a tight ship so that each gets the focus it needs and requires.

What advice would you give to females thinking about a career in agriculture? Go for it! It may seem daunting but there are so many inspiring females in this great industry to look up to. It’s a fantastic industry to work in and I have no regrets whatsoever.

The post International Women’s Day – Meet the Team appeared first on GS Agri Systems.

In horticultural operations such as greenhouses and nurseries, common fertilizer injection actually serves as an accelerant to biofilm growth. Most growers are quite familiar with the presence of biofilm in their fertilizer lines. The layer of slimy growth is seen whenever a line is cut into for repair. Biofilm growth is not restricted to fertilizer lines, however, and is also common in clear water lines, although usually by a slightly less dramatic presence.

Chlorine Dioxide’s Potential 

One property of chlorine dioxide that provides a large part of its potential is it is a gas that is very soluble in water. On-site generator technology allows for the production of a stock concentrate in the 2,000 to 3,000 ppm range. This stock solution is then injected into irrigation systems to a final, hose-end concentration below 1.0 ppm that results in excellent water sanitation. 

Connected to this solubility characteristic is that as a gas dissolved in water, chlorine dioxide is free to diffuse or move within its solution. Due to this property, its molecules are free to move about within an irrigation line. They capitalize on this freedom of movement by penetrating biofilm layers and killing the complex right down to its attachment sites along the hard surface it has colonized. With the exception of ozone, no other sanitizing technology has the ability to diffuse this effectively.

See below results from a trial using Dutrion in a lettuce processing and washing plant in Mexico

See below results using regular chlorine

Source: Dutrion North America trial 2012

The conclusion is that using Dutrion has significantly reduced Coliforms and bacteria in comparison to Chlorine.

Disclaimer: 

No claims are being made or implied from the benefits listed on this website. 

These are only observations that are made by independent producers and plant specialists. 

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GS Agri understands the importance of Bio-Security, and with that in mind, we have several systems available to keep your farm safe.

• Our fully or semi-automated vehicle disinfectant spray system is ideal for vehicles entering your farm. Dependent on the system it can reach over and above HGV https://www.gs-agrisystems.com/biosecurity/
• Dutrion (chlorine dioxide) can be applied via a small handheld fogging machine onto workers clothes, hands, onto any surfaces and housing equipment to kill bacteria and viruses https://www.gs-agrisystems.com/dutrion/

January 2021 Update

Following the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 in poultry flocks in Clough and Lisburn and the introduction of Protection Zones and Surveillance Zones around both holdings, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has now extended the scope of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ).

These further measures are in place until this declaration is withdrawn or amended by further declarations.

Source: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/avian-influenza-ai

Dated 19th January 2021

DAERA Avian Flu BioSecurity Assessment

DAERA has published a very helpful self-assessment tool, which offers a checklist against which to gauge your biosecurity level. This tool enables any flock keepers to critically review their biosecurity arrangements

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/daera-ai-biosecurity-self-assessment

Changes in birds’ health, feed, or water intakes should be closely monitored as they could provide early signs of disease. Things to look out for include, but are not limited to:

• Drops in egg production of 5% or more over a three or more day period
• Changes in colour and/or consistency of your birds’ faeces
• Significant reductions in bird feather cover
• Decrease in water or feed intakes

DAERA’s advice is that If you see any of the above signs, it is recommended that you consult your private veterinary surgeon immediately.

What arrangements are in place to ensure that wild birds cannot access stored bedding, feed, and water intended for your birds? What steps have you taken to reduce the movements of people, vehicles, or equipment in areas where birds are kept? The questionnaire also flags the need for disinfectant points and cleaning and disinfecting routines.

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Harvesting rainwater is essentially storing untreated water in a rain collection system. This means it almost certainly contains contaminants or microbial agents. GS Agri rainwater harvesting systems are designed to provide water collection and storage with filtration that eliminates contamination and biohazards.

Rainfall will pick up particles along the way and when the water is collected from rooftop surfaces it more than likely to be contaminated with rodent and bird droppings. Rainwater filtration is important for example on a dairy farm where there is a large demand for clean water.

Collected in a rainwater storage tank, the water can easily be filtered to remove contaminants and a UV light installed to kill bacteria, Further to this chlorine dioxide can be dosed into the water to kill contaminants.

Water Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is typically used for washing down yards and sheds, cleaning factories, and feeding livestock. Think of the cost-saving by harvesting water that is free, it also helps with low lying flood areas, not forgetting the difference it would make to our water reservoirs.

“The reuse of water by rainwater harvesting can improve the overall Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) performance for a building. BREEAM is an environmental assessment for new and existing buildings, which was developed by the Building Research Establishment and is the leading – and most widely used – environmental assessment method for best practice in sustainable design.”

Source: NI Business info website

Our guidance to farmers and producers is that you should invest in a Rainwater storage tank large enough to collect water – without it overflowing – at the wettest time of year.

The system that we installed on this dairy farm includes a 50m3 external water storage tank that has been fitted with rainwater filtration to remove leaves and bird droppings. The harvested water is being used to wash down the farmyard and sheds. We can also advise on rainwater harvesting as drinking water for livestock and poultry.

If you wish to discuss your requirements get in touch or go to our product page https://www.gs-agrisystems.com/rainwater-harvesting/

The post GS Agri Systems Install Rainwater Harvesting System in Dairy farm appeared first on GS Agri Systems.

Red Mite Avian Liquid Treatment

Red Mite Avian is a liquid treatment that is dosed into the poultry water supply via a dosing pump, for example, Seko or Dosatron.

Red Mite Avian treatment is unlike any other product on the market, as it works on breaking the red mite breeding cycle.

Once the bird has consumed water, the mites go for their blood meal, the mites are unable to digest the liquid product and will begin to dry from the inside out. Results will be visible between 6 to 8 weeks after starting the treatment.

Red Mite Avian Benefits

The benefits of Red Might Avian (Lentypou+):

• Natural alternative to chemical products
• Selected plant-based complementary feed
• Contributes to improving the natural resistance of laying hens in their environment.
• Controls red mite infestation
• No side effects
• Can be used in organic farming
• No residues

About Red Mite Poultry Infestation

Red Mite is a nocturnal, blood-feeding parasite, which attacks the birds at night to feed on their blood. After feeding the mites hide in cracks and crevices where they mate and lay eggs. The Red Mite has a short breeding cycle, and females can lay several hundred eggs. Unless controlled mite populations can increase rapidly within poultry housing.

Red Mite Avian product is fully certified and is certified for organic use by the Organic Farmer and Growers.

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GS Agri Systems first installation of mechanical ventilation fans and shutters on a local dairy farm.

Ventilation has always been an important aspect of calf welfare. DEFRA plans to introduce mandatory design standards for new livestock housing by 2022, means that the importance of ensuring that your buildings are well-ventilated is becoming ever more important.

As cows are now spending more time inside it’s very important to provide a healthy environment.

• A poorly ventilated agricultural building leads to poor air quality
• Air will be full of moisture, bacteria, viruses, and the smell of ammonia.
• This leads to a decrease in yields and much higher costs for animal welfare.
• Heat stress causes milking cows to reduce feed intake causing a drop in production levels
• In extreme cases, the cows’ overall health and fertility will also be affected.

By installing GS Agri Systems manual/auto ventilation fans on your farm, you can ensure that your livestock does not suffer from heat stress and maintains their good health. Get in touch today for more information.

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