Easy to adjust routes
Changes to your barn or group set-up do not pose any problems; since the mixing and feeding robot is an autonomous vehicle, the system is easily adjusted to all circumstances.
“Some years ago we operated a railed feeding system in our previous barn and compared to that, this system is so much more flexible.”
Lely has developed a unique economic concept that can take care of this and will do even more; it allows for 24/7 flexible fresh feeding of cows, being able to feed cows accurately, precisely and with minimum labour requirements. The Lely Vector automatic feeding system is a concept that was developed in close co-operation with our customers and allows for optimal results while maintaining maximum respect for your cows.
Obviously, it is essential that suppliers and customers are close to one another so that all relevant expertise and experience can be shared. However, we like to keep the Lely organization as lean and mean as possible. That’s why we introduced the Lely Center concept. Each and every Lely Center facility is situated close to the dairy farmers in its region. It is a unique concept for outsourcing sales and service functions while controlling the overall quality of product, service and brand. To keep in touch with end users, we have deliberately chosen to continue operating a number of Lely Center facilities ourselves. The Lely Center is your local point of contact – an efficient, compact and low threshold organization that boasts the required local knowledge as well as extensive expertise on Lely products.
Click here for your nearest Lely Center facility.
Flexibility in feeding routine
Feeding your cows with the Lely Vector automatic feeding system offers you optimum flexibility. You can implement your feeding strategy without any compromises, whether you want to feed your cows several times a day, different rations and in different groups. You will be rewarded with better cow health and increased production.
Quick and easy feed type changes
The feed kitchen of the Lely Vector system is an open space without obstacles and it can store all types of feed. Every feed type has its own location which is very easy to define. This offers enormous flexibility because it is quite easy to change the feed type and redefine the location. Therefore, adjusting the mixed ration to changes of concentrate will be very easy. When changing concentrates at group level, or when engaging another supplier, you can adjust this precisely on a day and hour basis in the ration at the feed fence.
Changing rations in no time
With the Lely Vector system you can feed every group their own ration. You can easily change the ration: composition as well as quantity. The software can determine the amount of feed leftovers. Whenever the amount of feed leftovers drops below a threshold value the system is able to start to feed this group. Automatic feeding is also ideal in combination with grazing. During rainy periods or just on hot and sunny days, the grazing cows will go inside where they can be offered an extra portion.
More precise feeding
With the feed grabber filling system you can grab a lot of feed types. To obtain the right quantity you can adjust the bite size, height and closing of the grabber, so you can feed more precisely. In addition, the system will also correct the feeding quantity through time. If you have fed too much of a specific feed in one run, then it will correct itself in the next runs. Thus, the cows in the group are fed exactly what they need.
Flexibility in changing groups
The software of the Lely Vector system is set up in such a way that only the basic information about the ration is necessary. In this way you can move cows to another group, put the heifers in the group or set up a completely new group without any hassle. The system will automatically see when the threshold value for the feed leftovers is met and will start feeding earlier.
Flexibility in your daily routine
Even in modern barns, feeding the cows still takes a lot of time. Also a mixer unit needs to be filled, driven to the barn and through the feeding alley. Here the accuracy of the feeding depends on the concentration of the driver. The Lely Vector automatic feeding system saves not only a lot of labour, it takes away a lot of hassles from your head as well. The only things left to be done are filling up the kitchen and clean it up once in a while. The Vector system offers you the freedom to manage your farm the way you want to.
Freedom to plan your work as well as your social life
The feed kitchen of the Lely Vector system can stock feed for three days in advance. This means there is enough feed available in the kitchen for more than a weekend; this gives you opportunities you never had before. During working days you can plan your work in advance since your feed kitchen can be filled for several days.
Not dependent on external labour
Feeding of cows is a serious job. There is always the choice of doing it yourself or hiring external labour to get it done. With the Vector system you can set up your own feeding programme. You enter the routes in advance, as well as the feeding rations and the setup of your kitchen. Filling the kitchen is an easy job that you can entrust to someone else.
Feeding based on the needs of the cows
An advanced feature on the Lely Vector mixing and feeding robot is the feed height sensor. With this device the robot knows exactly the amount of feed at the feed fence. So it determines where and when fresh feed is needed without any help from the farmer or manager.
Pushing the feed 24/7
The Lely Vector system has an extra advantage. It can also push up the feed in between feeding times and while pushing the feed it measures the amount of feed leftovers. Alternatively, on the way back after feeding a group it can push the feed of another group. The Vector system ensures that there is always fresh feed at the feed fence; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Flexibility for every farm, now and in the future
There are many different types of barns, all with their own advantages and limitations. Because of this, investing in an automatic feeding system was often a matter of compromise. If you opt for the Lely Vector, you will be surprised to see how easily it can be installed and the negligible preconditions that are required to allow it to work in your farm.
Fits in a narrow feed alley without extra support or profiles
As an autonomous vehicle the mixing and feeding robot does not need extra support or profiles, neither power lines nor rails. You can start right away with automatic feeding. The robot requires a minimum feed alley width of only 3,25 m (feeding both sides). Currently, regular feed alleys are often wider. A narrower feed alley allows a significant reduction in construction costs and leaves space for extra cow places.
More barns – one feeding system
With assistance of its distance sensors the mixing and feeding robot can navigate and feed in different barns. When young stock or dry cows are situated in a separate barn, it is very easy to programme the robot for this. The robot can drive outside without problems.
Easy to adjust routes
Changes to your barn or group set-up do not pose any problems; since the mixing and feeding robot is an autonomous vehicle, the system is easily adjusted to all circumstances.
Ready for future expansion
A major advantage of the modular system of the Lely Vector: it can be easily expanded if necessary. One mixing and feeding robot can feed 250-300 animals. To raise the feeding capacity, an extra robot can be used. When one unit is feeding, the other one will be loaded in the feed kitchen. This way you get even more out of your system. In addition, there are practically no restrictions for enlarging the feed kitchen.

