The cold weather is approaching, and for some of you, snow has already arrived. Keeping a farm running during the winter months can be challenging, but don’t worry. Here are some tips and tricks from our techs to help keep you—and your robots—up and running this winter.
Preventative Maintenance
If you’ve been consistent with your four yearly maintenances, your equipment should be running smoothly with minimal breakdowns. Check out our March blog post here to see the power of maintenance.
Jeremiah’s Advice: “Kill All Mice”
Don’t let unwanted furry visitors chew through wires and rack up your parts bill. Rodent killer is an inexpensive and easy way to prevent damage—and avoid a surprise scare.
Lowell’s Tip: Keep the Heaters On
Keep the heaters running and change the ropes before a cold spell. This prevents the ropes from swelling as quickly and reduces the likelihood of them getting caught.
From a Farmer’s Perspective
Matt Brake, a farmer, shares two tips he uses on his own farm:
- Maintain cord cups.
- Have a backup heat source ready for especially bitter cold days.
Even with the best preparation, breakdowns can still happen. When they do, we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to call us so we can get you back up and running.
Horizon Updates
While winter brings its challenges, it also brings opportunities to improve and adapt. We’re excited to share some updates coming to Horizon that will make managing your farm even more seamless this season and beyond. Here’s what you can look forward to in the next update:
A3/A4 E-Link Report Fix
There’s currently a disruption with A3/A4 E-Link reports not updating on robot screens. A solution has been found and will be included in the next Horizon update, planned for January 2025.
Other Features in the Next Update
- Enhanced Color Differentiation: Improved color contrast in the Milk Quality graph across all screen types.
- Improved Horizon Updater: The updated system will include an uninterrupted updater, allowing the app to schedule restarts 15 minutes later instead of forcing an update after 15 seconds. Users will also have the option to postpone for another 15 minutes.