Once again, Lely Astronaut milkers dominate top milk production ranking

Every autumn, the Dutch Livestock Improvement Corporation CRV (Coöperatie Rundvee Verbetering) publishes its well-known milk production statistics. The CRV is an international association in the field of livestock improvement and these statistics relate to the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. For the third year in a row, this listing is dominated by Lely Astronaut milkers. And just like last year, the Dutch Wijnveen family of dairy farmers from Winterswijk Woold have scored as the best robot milkers.

Father and son Wim and Stefan Wijnveen milked 114 cows in the past year and have achieved a Yearly Economic Result (YER) per cow of € 3,045. This result is calculated on the basis of milk yield as well as fat and protein content. At the Wijnveen dairy farm, the average milk yield per cow amounted to 12,045 kgs and with this result they reached the second position in the total ranking. 

“Steering the cows as little as possible"
According to Wim Wijnveen, the good results are due, for the greater part, to allowing the cows  freedom: “Especially for automated milking, it is crucial that the animals be left alone as much as possible, with a minimum amount of steering." This working method fits in seamlessly with the philosophy that Lely advocates in terms of free cow traffic. Wijnveen, who claims that he does not exert himself especially to achieve a top ranking, tries to avoid anything that disturbs the rhythm of the cows. Then again, he does attempt to realise a production of 11,000 kgs per cow. 

Top 11 of robot milkers use a Lely milking robot
No fewer than 21 out of the top 25 of dairy farms with an automated milking system operate a Lely Astronaut milking robot. In the listing, the first non-Lely milker can be found on the 12th position. The yearly statistics relate to the book year 2011, which ended late August. The highest ranking Belgian robot milker is the De Cleene family business in Eksaarde; they occupy the 15th position. Dairy farmer De Cleene also operates a Lely Astronaut milking robot.

__________________________________________________________

About the Lely Group
Lely, founded in 1948, directs all its efforts towards creating a sustainable, profitable and enjoyable future in farming for its customers. Lely is the only company worldwide to supply the agricultural sector with a complete portfolio of products and services ranging from forage harvesting to automated feeding systems, barn cleaners and milking robots. Lely is also working on business concepts to ensure energy-neutral operations in the dairy sector. Since many years Lely is the undisputed market leader in the sales and service of automated milking systems. The company has a strong position in forage harvesting products and with over 60 years unrivalled acquired knowledge in the agricultural cycle Lely has an unrivaled position in agriculture. The Lely Group is active in more than 60 countries and employs some 1,500 people. The annual turnover is around 470 million euro.

More information: www.lely.com.

For further information, please contact Els Versluis, International Marketing and Communications Manager Lely Group, eversluis@lely.com, + 31 (0)10 59 96 500.