Is your refrigeration ready for calving?

Quick Refrigeration Check: Tips to Avoid Calving Season Callouts

Each year at the start of calving, we have several refrigeration callouts that could be avoided with a bit of prep work. 

Before milk hits the vat, take a few minutes to run through this quick refrigeration check to help ensure a smooth start to the new season:

1. Fill the vat with water
   Add enough clean water to cover the agitator paddle. This simulates milk volume and allows you to test the cooling system safely.
   
   
2. Turn on the refrigeration
   Power up the system as you normally would during milking.
   
   
3. Check the thermostat
   Ensure the thermostat is displaying a temperature and appears to be functioning correctly.
   
   
4. Check the refrigeration unit and fans
   Make sure the vat refrigeration unit starts and at least one fan is running.
   
   Note: If you have multiple fans and only one is operating, this may not be a fault — some systems only activate the second fan once the ambient temperature rises.
   
   
5. Monitor the temperature drop
   Watch the thermostat to confirm that the temperature begins to fall while the unit is running. Your refrigeration system should cool the test water to 4–5 °C and then automatically shut off once this temperature is reached.