Table of Contents
- Case Study: Jerry Ryan Dairy Farmer Co Tipperary
- Case Study: Peter Hynes, Dairy Farmer From Cork
- Case Study: Key Benefits and Solutions
Dairy Farming Challenges 2024
Chlorine Free dairying
The following dairy cleaning case studies using chlorine-free cold wash technology demonstrate how Biocel’s CirCool successfully overcomes challenges faced by many milk suppliers and helps to achieve some of their sustainability goals.
Since the removal of chlorine from milking plant detergents, many dairy farmers have encountered ongoing issues in maintaining effective cleaning processes. Achieving the required target temperatures for chlorine-free products has proven difficult, often leading to the buildup of fat and protein residues on equipment. These deposits can increase TBC and Thermoduric counts if left unaddressed.
Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
One of the most pressing challenges for dairy farmers in 2024 is climate change and the need for environmental sustainability. There is growing pressure on the agricultural sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, manage waste responsibly, and adopt sustainable farming practices. Meeting these environmental demands requires significant investment in new technologies and practices, which can be costly and complex to implement.
Traditional hot water cleaning methods consume significant amounts of energy, contributing to higher carbon footprints. Transitioning to cold wash technologies, like the CirCool program, can drastically reduce energy usage and CO2 emissions. By adopting more eco-friendly cleaning solutions, dairy farmers can make substantial progress in meeting sustainability goals and reducing their environmental impact.
In response to these issues, dairy farmers like Jerry Ryan from Cashel, Co. Tipperary, and Peter Hynes from Cork have turned to Biocel’s innovative solutions. Both farmers implemented the CirCool cold-wash program and experienced significant improvements in cleanliness and efficiency. Their experiences highlight the practical benefits and effectiveness of this approach in real-world settings.
1. Case Study: Jerry Ryan, Dairy Farmer Co Tipperary
Jerry Ryan is a dairy farmer from Cashel, Co. Tipperary, who supplies Centenary Co-Op. He uses a 12-unit Dairymaster parlour equipped with milk meters and an auto washer.
“I contacted Biocel with a TBC problem. James from Biocel called out to the farm and advised of a problem with the tank wash. This was corrected but he outlined the cloudy meters and protein in the claw bowl and was this the start of a storm brewing? James outlined that this was due to the low temperature at the end of the wash and suggested that I go on the new CirCool L wash programme.”
This is a 16-wash-per-week programme with a cold wash with CirCool L after every milking and a Hot Circo-Acid 3 wash twice a week. This is a very simple routine to follow, I was sceptical at first as I have never had a cold washing routine suggested to me for Chlorine Free cleaning.” – Jerry
“James outlined the reasons in a straightforward and easy to understand manner. We set up the programme and the results have been impressive. The parlour has never looked cleaner and there is no cloudiness in the meters. The programme is straightforward and simple to follow and I can’t speak highly enough of the support Biocel has given me on the move to this programme. I will be using it from now on to keep the plant clean, ensuring good TBC and Thermodurics, with the extra benefit of the saving in energy costs due to a big reduction in hot water usage.”
2. Case Study: Peter Hynes, Dairy Farmer From Cork
Peter Hynes, Cork Dairy Farmer speaks about cleaning with CirCool Cold Wash Detergents.
“Up until mid-2022, we had been using a lot of hot water combined with a lot of detergent and, at times, we still struggled to keep them clean with our chlorine-free regime. We were finding our 20-unit plant, with milk meters difficult to maintain clean at times, particularly in periods where we had high milk solids unless we carried out a lot of hot cleaning.”
We found at times if the hot wash temperature was not maintained above 50 degrees C at the end of the wash cycle, a jelly-like deposit was initially seen on the Perspex claw pieces, which if not removed led to an increase in TBCs/ Thermodurics. – Peter
“Biocel Ltd introduced us to 2 new Cold Wash products CirCool Powder, CirCool Liquid & CIRCO- ACID 3 which are designed to effectively clean at ambient temperatures and the decision was taken to run with Cold Washing. Now looking at the milking plant, I can safely say it has been the cleanest I have seen in the last few years and we are making savings by not heating water daily & lowering our CO2 emissions.
The wash routine is simple — 14 cold CirCool washes and two extra-hot acid CIRCO- ACID3 washes every week, with our final rinse every time including Serpent15 Peracetic acid, which we have been using in the final rinse for a number of years and we haven’t had an issue with TBCs/ Thermodurics since moving to this program.”
Key Benefits and Solutions Highlighted in Our Dairy Cleaning Case Studies
As we know, dairy farmers across Ireland, the UK and Europe face a range of significant challenges, including climate change, economic pressures, technological integration, labour shortages, animal health, and regulatory compliance. These challenges extend to dairy cleaning, where traditional methods were proving inadequate in meeting modern sustainability and efficiency goals. On the positive side, our dairy cleaning case studies have demonstrated that by using Biocel’s CirCool cold-wash program presents substantial advantages for dairy farmers.
Cost Savings and Energy Efficiency
By employing cold wash technology, dairy operations can reduce their water heating costs by up to 85%. Traditional hot water washing requires significant energy to heat water to the necessary temperatures, leading to high operational costs. CirCool’s cold-wash solution eliminates this need, significantly lowering energy consumption and, consequently, utility bills. This cost reduction is particularly beneficial in the current economic climate, where energy prices are at an all-time high, making every cost-saving measure valuable for maintaining profitability.
Environmental Impact and CO2 Reduction
In addition to financial savings, the CirCool cold-wash program also contributes to environmental sustainability. By reducing the need for hot water, the program minimises CO2 emissions associated with energy production for water heating. This reduction in carbon footprint aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and supports dairy farmers in meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
The emphasis on lowering CO2 emissions is not only a response to regulatory pressures but also a step toward more eco-friendly farming practices. For dairy farmers, this means they can achieve both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility, enhancing their overall sustainability and market appeal.
High Standards of Hygiene
Furthermore, CirCool’s effective cleaning protocols ensure high standards of hygiene, contributing to better animal welfare and compliance with stringent food safety regulations. Overall, integrating CirCool into dairy cleaning practices not only helps farmers overcome contemporary challenges but also positions them for greater sustainability and success.
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