A Day of Innovation and Connection: Padman Open Farm Day

  The day began with a warm welcome and introduction from René van Dalen, Marketing Manager of Lely Australia Pty Ltd, who provided a brief overview of Lely’s mission and the farm’s background. Most attendees had travelled as part of the Connect, Care & Grow 2025 event and were excited to see Lely robots in a working environment. Guests were divided into three groups to rotate through three insightful stations.  

Station 1: The Farmer’s Story
Led by Craig Stokes (Lely Center Tasmania manager) and Rodney Padman, this station shared Rodney’s honest and inspiring story of transitioning to robotic milking. Attendees learnt about the motivation behind switching to robots along with the process and have they have transformed life on the farm.

Station 2: If You Had Robots…
This interactive session, hosted by Shawn Hollingworth and Daniel McGrath, sparked conversation around the real-world benefits of robotic farming. Farmers Heath Williams, Garry & Bev Carpenter, and Alistair Gibson shared personal experiences, debunked myths, and highlighted how robotic milking has changed their daily lives for the better.

Station 3: Lely Horizon & Farm Management Support
Jake Connor introduced attendees to Lely Horizon, Lely’s smart farm management system. The discussion focused on data-driven decision-making, efficiency, and how digital tools support sustainable growth.

Following the guided sessions, guests were invited to freely explore the farm. Some watched as cows calmly walked in for milking, while others gathered for further conversation and refreshments. A big thanks to Bloom Coffee for providing delicious hot drinks, and to Demi Stagg for the selection of homemade bites, including lemon slices, chocolate biscuits, and more.

Looking Ahead

The Padman Open Day was a great success—fostering connection, sparking curiosity, and showcasing how robotic farming is not just the future, but the now.

As we like to say:

If you had robots… what could you be doing right now?