Robert, Sascha and Hugo van Lent, The Netherlands, August 2009
Farm details:
- milk quota 650,000 litres
- 90 red-and-white cows
- average annual production: 7,500 litres per cow
- 40 hectares of grassland, 8 hectares of maize
- On-farm breeding of young livestock
- New barn built in 1994
- Robert and his father used to milk in an open 2x4 tandem parlour
- In March 2009 two used Astronaut A2 milking robots were installed
- Day-and-night pasture grazing is applied in summertime
Five years ago, Robert van Lent took over his father's dairy farm in Budel. During the preceding decade, the farm's milk quota had gradually doubled up to 650,000 litres, so that the capacity of the existing parlour had become insufficient. Milking took more than 3 hours per day, which was too long to Robert's liking. A choice had to be made: investing in a new milking parlour or in milking robots.
How did you come to think about used milking robots?
The milking robot technology appealed to us right from the start, but the investment for meeting the required capacity with new robots was too high. Then again, after many visits to dairy farms and study sessions we grew increasingly enthusiastic about the milking robot. At that stage, a friend of ours asked why we didn't go and look for second-hand milking robots.
How did you find the used robots?
First of all, we found a dairy farm where 2 milking robots were offered directly to us. We had a look, but we had strong doubts if it would be wise to load the robots onto the truck just like that. We then contacted the Lely Center in Venray ourselves. Within a short time frame they, too, could make us a proposal for two used robots and we accepted their offer.
We actually had seen these robots working at the farm where they had been installed originally. I asked the dairy farmer: 'Why do you dispose of them anyway?' He had operated the robots for ten years and now he traded them in for two new Lely A3 robots. He was very pleased with the trade-in price he received for the A2 robots, which he had written off already. He said he wanted to keep investing in order to maintain his depreciations. For his new robots, he does not write off more than we do for our used robots.
Why did you opt for Lely?
Lely boasts many years of experience with milking robots and that gives us a secure feeling. Obviously, we have also been looking at other makes, but of those there are not many second-hand machines available. For that matter, some robots that were actually available were still relatively young. For us that was a signal that these particular robots did not function properly. We are strongly convinced that we have made the right choice whit the Lely robots.
Considering Lely's experience, we were strongly in favour of this make. To us, this was the most reliable choice. We have made exhaustive comparisons with other makes, but we are still convinced that we have made the right choice.
How did the cooperation with Lely come about?
I am particularly satisfied with the support that Lely have given to me. Not just by making these used robots available to me; I also appreciate all preparations and support throughout the installation and start-up. Together, we have worked out a very neat barn layout and it still pleases me, day after day.
The robots were perfectly clean and they looked brand-new upon arrival. Lely totally updated and reconditioned the machines. Rubber parts, bearings etc. were replaced while Lely also installed a new laser, milk separation system plus an up-to-date computer programme. Due to this servicing, my robots are ready for another decade of operation.
Lely's support before and during start-up by experienced specialists was very good. At the introduction, all aspects of the system were explained while in addition we went through all daily proceedings. It is only in terms of operational management after commissioning that I would like some further support.
I am pleased with the warranty that Lely grants on the used robots. Right in the first month there was a problem with a PCB. Of course, such things happen. Then again you are not eager having to face those kinds of costs and in this case the component was replaced, free of charge, by the Lely Center.
How are the milking robots operating right now?
The machines operate quite well, better than we expected. The first week was very intensive, but we had been clearly informed about that beforehand. I feel that the cows respond very well to the robot; they get the knack very fast and life in the barn has become much more quiet. We have had to dispose of a few old cows, because the teat cups were hard to connect. Moreover, fetching the cows is not too bad and there is hardly ever a technical hitch. Admittedly, the attention lists are rather long, but that is more to do with the adjustments in the system.
Currently, our cows are grazing day and night, which works fine with the robot. Within our system, the cows go to pasture immediately after having been milked. We fetch the cows twice a day and they can always go in if they want to be milked more often. If the barn doors stay closed, the number of milkings is slightly higher (2.7), but now that they graze out at pasture, we still register 2.1 milkings. We consider pasture grazing to be crucial to cow health; then again, sufficient milking capacity is a prerequisite. Based upon our current output we can definitely add up to 110 cows. Output is ample at this point of time; now and then we receive an alarm if one of the robots has not been milking for more than three hours...
When we still milked in the parlour, there were noticeable fluctuations in terms of milk quality and as to that we were slightly anxious about the milking robots. Much to my surprise, however, our SCC has only improved since we started operating the robots. The other day we did an experiment with a cheaper cleaning agent, but that worked out poorly.
What is your view on the investment in hindsight?
It was explained to me beforehand that I should not expect to be spending less time on the farm. Yet I dare say at this stage already that I gain at least two hours per day due to the milking robots. True, I spend that time on other work but nevertheless I consider it to be a gain of time. In addition, my flexibility has increased tremendously and that is pleasant for the entire family.
In hindsight, our option of used milking robots has panned out very well, especially when considering today's low milk prices. At present, growth is not the first perspective one has in mind. All the same, I am convinced that the market will be picking up at some point of time. And when that time comes, I am well prepared in terms of milking equipment. All dairy farmers have to make their own choices, but I am satisfied with my second-hand Lely robots.