Birds enjoy world class climate control |
The Casaccio Egg Farm, near Terang, Victoria is operated under the careful eye of Farm Manager, Geoff O’Brian. Over the past two years the farm has begun the process of upgrading the farm, retrofitting existing infrastructure and preparing land for new developments. Motivated by seemingly ever-increasing operating costs and the benefits of improved production output, security, and system reliability, Geoff has turned to new technologies to provide the answers.
Situation
In 2016 one of the farm’s old cross-ventilated grower sheds was converted to a new tunnel fan-ventilated cage layer shed. The shed upgrades utilise the latest in agricultural technology, such as the AgriCool shed ventilation system, and effective farming design to ensure high production outputs and bird health. With a completely enclosed system Geoff is confident that his birds will receive optimal climate control even in the harsh Australian conditions. Holding 40,000 birds in Zucami cages, the renovated shed with the complete AgriCool ventilation system provides a comfortable environment for the birds, promoting good laying conditions.
Prior to the upgrade Geoff had a series of ebm-papst stirring fans installed into the farm’s free-range shed and was confident in the quality of product he would receive. The ventilation system and supporting agricultural and construction infrastructure was advised on and supplied by Agricultural Automation.
Prior to the upgrade Geoff had a series of ebm-papst stirring fans installed into the farm’s free-range shed and was confident in the quality of product he would receive. The ventilation system and supporting agricultural and construction infrastructure was advised on and supplied by Agricultural Automation.
The Retrofit
After crunching the numbers of shed size and air flow requirements, Christopher Hauck from ebm-papst was assured that he had the best solution for the retrofit. 10 EC direct drive 50 inch tunnel fans from ebm-papst were installed in the newly renovated shed. The ventilation interface works seamlessly alongside the main shed controller system, AgroLogic.
The Results
Since installation the AgriCool shed ventilation system has been a huge asset to the farm’s operations. Geoff’s confidence in the system grew exponentially over summer thanks to the ability to monitor the system and the maintenance-free design of the fans.
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“[It has] got to be a direct drive. We’ve got a lot of fans on site here, they’re old. We don’t do a lot of belt replacement in a year but one is too many… doesn’t matter how good your maintenance is you can burn a belt out any day.”
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Through the ventilation interface Geoff is able to accurately monitor and look back on how hard the fans have been running, the shed’s internal temperature variation, ventilation rates, and system diagnostics. In addition, the maintenance and direct monitoring of the AgriCool system will alert Geoff and his second-in-command, Ash, directly should an issue with the tunnel fans or AgriCool control system occur. If an alarm is triggered the back-up system activates to overcome the error and provide adequate ventilation for the birds.
Geoff is especially impressed by the fans’ low noise output, partly realised by the direct drive motor and its soft-starting function, resulting in more comfortable and less startled birds.
Geoff is especially impressed by the fans’ low noise output, partly realised by the direct drive motor and its soft-starting function, resulting in more comfortable and less startled birds.
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“[In this shed] the fans seem to be really good…very noticeable [when you come] into this shed, and if it’s a hot day outside and you can feel the air on you. You can feel the breeze across your face.”
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With improved peace of mind, supported by local technical support and back-up systems, Geoff is able to focus on operating the farm rather than fixing equipment over the summer period while the birds in his newest shed live in comfort. The team at Casaccio Egg Farm love the new ebm-papst AgriCool shed ventilation system and are already looking at upgrading the remaining sheds with the AgriCool system with EC tunnel fans.
The Details
The AgriCool Climate Control System
Material:
Tunnel Fans
Number of fans: 10
Fan type: 50 inch (1250mm) high-efficiency, direct-drive, three-phase EC fan motors with in-built speed control
Shutter system: Supplied by Agricultural Automation
Material:
- Blades are of strong die-cast aluminum coated in highly anti-corrosive black paint
- Stainless steel shaft, nuts and bolts, bearings sealed for life
- Galvanised rotor plus additional coating against corrosion
Tunnel Fans
Number of fans: 10
Fan type: 50 inch (1250mm) high-efficiency, direct-drive, three-phase EC fan motors with in-built speed control
Shutter system: Supplied by Agricultural Automation