DAIRY NEWS APRIL 28, 2015
14 // NEWS
Visionary farmers go all out with robotic milkers Aad and Wilma van Leeuwen are buying more robotic milkers.
THE OPERATOR of the world’s largest robotic farm under one roof is expanding. South Canterbury farmer Aad van Leeuwen is installing 24 Lely Astronaut A4 milking robots for
a 1500-cow farm over the next six months. The Van Leeuwen Dairy Group will install its 24 Lely robots in three barns of 500 cows each; the first delivery of eight will be installed in June 2015, the
second eight in July and the remainder in October. A Lely statement says Van Leeuwen Dairy successfully introduced large scale robotic dairying to New Zealand in 2009 with 16 Lely A3 robots. “Aad
40,000 cows say they prefer a Redpath clear roof shelter … if cow’s could talk
!
ite s n o t l i u B n a h t s s e l for !* w o c r e p $500
T C E R I BUY D lands/CRT
or
arm through F
N An effective and affordable on-farm shelter system N Multiple flooring options, or build over existing pads N Designed for Feedpads, Standoffshelters or Winteringbarns 40,000 cows already enjoy a Redpath shelter for improved feed control, better pasture quality and protection from poor weather
N
! S N O EAS
S E H T BEAT
For Your Free Info Pack Free Ph 0508 733 728 www.redpath.co.nz Email: sales@redpath.co.nz * + GST. Conditions apply.
and Wilma van Leeuwen’s choice of Lely comes from their experience in managing large herds through the Lely concept,” the company says. Van Leeuwen has robots from the world’s top two robotic milking machine manufacturers – Lely and DeLaval. Van Leeuwen last year began milking at the world’s largest robotic installation under one roof: the 1500-cow farm uses 24 DeLaval Voluntary Milking System (VMS) robots. In the Lely media release, Aad van Leeuwen explains that his company chose Lely again because of its previous experience with 16 Lely Astronaut A3 milking robots and the level of after-sales service and farm management provided. Milking performance, installation and commissioning, and continuing support were key criteria. “Our staff are used to the simplicity of the herd management system, and rely on the robots to do the job for us. The cows know the system and in my opinion the Lely Astronaut robotic milking system ensures the best result from the cows. Happy cows and a good return on investment help us reach our goals.” Lely says robotic milk-
ing is a revolutionary step in dairy technology that can increase production while reducing stress on animals and people. “One of the innovative features farmers describe as pivotal in their choice of the Lely Astronaut A4 system is the cow walkthrough design called the ‘I-flow concept’,” the company says. “The cow walks straight in and out of the unit without making turns. This makes it easier for the cow, which shortens the learning curve and increases the throughput.” The Lely Astronaut A4 system from the cow’s perspective is completely voluntary, with the cow having 24 hour access to feed, water, milking and rest, therefore removing cow stress. The reduction of stress is due to minimal human interference. The free cow traffic allows for cows to flow according to their needs and the hierarchy rules in the herd promote natural cow behaviour. In turn, farmers face a much lighter workload and can choose when they want to be in the shed. “Not only does the Astronaut A4 automate milking, it automatically cleans out the milk lines and the robots three times a day, and automatically washes the vat after the milk is removed,” Lely says.
Wider issue with Overseer FEDERATED FARMERS Dairy national chair-
man Andrew Hoggard says the upgrade highlights a wider problem with regulators writing Overseer into regional plans, regardless of whether a farm is irrigated or not. “They run the model which comes up with numbers and then these numbers are written into the plans. Then you get a new version of Overseer and those numbers are no longer relevant.” Hoggard also points out that while the numbers Overseer produces may change, nothing has changed on the ground. “It doesn’t suddenly mean there’s more nitrogen going into the water.” In light of the regulatory use of Overseer he believes the model’s parent body needs to be more forceful in issuing guidelines and warnings about its use by regulators. “They need to be made aware these numbers will change.”