Batt-Latch
Instruction Manual
4
What Can the
Batt-Latch
be used for?
X
Release herd for milking
– The cows are closed into their paddock with
the Batt-Latch, which is programmed to release a spring gate at the
morning or evening milking time. As the spring gate is released against a
post it will alert the cows that the gateway has been opened. They will then
walk up to the dairy on their own, especially with the added incentive of a
feedpad or supplements, as is common practice. Depending on the farm's
shape and the distance to the rear of the farm, up to 45 minutes per
milking can be saved.
X
Hold the herd back after milking
– Another Batt-Latch can be used to
set up a spring gate at the back of the dairy or nearby race to hold the
cows back after they have been milked. At the end of the milking session
the farmer can get ahead of the cows to set up gates or feed out
supplements, normally using another Batt-Latch to close the cows in with.
This will also mean that the cows will be entering the paddock together, so
heifers will get less stressed. Out timer is also ideal for ensuring that
break-fed maize and other crops are equally available to the whole herd
(allow the first cows in from milking just some of the crop, release more
when all cows are milked).
X
Break feeding or Run-offs
- One or more Batt-Latches can be set up
with spring gates to let stock into an adjacent break-feeding area, or open
another paddock off a common race. At the set time the Batt-Latch will
release the gateway and the cows or stock will go into the next area for
grazing. This can be done for a maximum of fourteen days with multiple
units, which will allow the farmer to be away from the farm for longer
periods.
Using a timer can also reduce pasture pugging, as the stock are less likely
to get agitated and walk up and down the fence line as they normally do.
Using the Batt-Latch timer, the gate will be opened without prior warning
so the stock will simply walk out at their own pace.
Visits to the run-off can be made less frequently by using the Batt-Latch.
The Batt-Latch(es) can be set up so that they are releasing 2 or 3 days
apart and letting stock into a fresh new grazing area. This method can
reduce run-off visits to only once in 10 days.
Several users have 3 or 4 Batt-Latches that they are using in this manner,
which saves them a substantial amount of time and travelling costs.
X
Irrigation and standard gates
– The Batt-Latch has enough torque to
hold and release a standard border dyke irrigation gate by itself. Some
form of adaptation plate may be needed. They could be used in series to
release gates one after the other
.
Some farmers also use rubber isolation
or shock cords to attach standard pipe gates to the Batt-Latch timer
. When
the timer releases, the gates swing either open or closed, pulled by a large
spring. You can use this technique to move stock around the farm in
various ways at different times of the day, or (for example) to trap feral
animals like deer in well-fenced enclosures or paddocks.
