At Lely, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to create a sustainable, profitable and enjoyable future for farmers by revolutionizing dairy farming. From a very young age, our founders Cornelis and Arij van der Lely began developing concepts to reduce the workload of dairy farmers. Since our foundation in 1948, we have introduced a range of ground-breaking products that have help transform the agricultural sector.
Our commitment to helping farmers has led to numerous innovative products. In 1948, Lely introduced the finger-wheel hay rake. Ten years later, we launched the fertilizer spreader. Our tedders with patented hook tines are still in use worldwide. The major breakthrough came in 1992 with the Lely Astronaut, our automatic milking system. This innovation revolutionized milking and fundamentally changed dairy farming.
When we introduce a product to the market that represents a breakthrough for farming, we call this a ‘Yellow Revolution’. This concept started in 2005 with the Lely Astronaut A3. Since that time, we have launched 12 Yellow Revolutions, amongst others Lely’s Juno, Vector, Horizon and Exos.
Protecting intellectual property is crucial for fostering creativity and developing new ideas. As of 2022, we hold 1,500 active patents and rank among the top ten companies in the Netherlands for patent applications. Lely is a front-runner in patent applications, competing with large international companies and research institutes.
Lely’s vision on the Farm of the Future integrates our innovative solutions into a fully automated, sustainable farming ecosystem. By leveraging advanced robotics, data analytics, and smart farm management practices, we aim to enhance productivity, animal welfare and environmental impact. Our innovations address the challenges of modern agriculture, from labor shortages to the need for sustainable practices. By providing tools that automate routine tasks and offer precise management insights, Lely empowers farmers to focus on strategic decisions and overall farm health.
Together, we shape the future of farming, ensuring that the next generation of farmers can thrive in a sustainable and efficient agricultural environment. Learn more about Lely’s Farm of the Future here.
Farmers all over the world make choices about how they set up and run their farms. Every day, we help them make the best choices for themselves and their farms. We do this by providing advice and innovative solutions that contribute to efficient farm management. For sustainable milk and meat production. Present and future.