Dismantling the myths of robotic milking in Tasmania

Nestled in the beautiful landscape of Chudleigh, Tasmania, Eltonvale is a farm defined by both rich heritage and a progressive approach to modern dairying. Today, third-generation dairy farmer Shannon Barwick is steering the family business into a new era. Alongside her partner Will, Shannon is proving that automation and voluntary cow traffic aren't just for indoor barns - they are a perfect match for Australian pasture-based systems.

The story of Elton Vale began in the 1950s when Shannon’s grandparents bought the property. Over the decades, the operation evolved from a modest walk-through dairy to a herringbone system that eventually maxed out at around 300 cows through a 22-swingover setup.

When Shannon and Will made the decision to return to the family farm in 2023, they knew they were taking on a property that needed refreshment.

"The old dairy had had its day; it had done its job," Shannon reflects. "We wanted a business model that allowed us to rely on our own labour rather than constantly chasing staff, which is a massive challenge locally. We wanted control, predictability, and a better lifestyle."

Working closely with Craig and Sheree Stokes from DMI and Lely Center Tasmania, they designed a brand-new facility, transitioning the farm to a robotic setup powered by four Lely Astronaut A5 automatic milking units. Today, the operation spans 130 hectares of owned land and 110 hectares of leased land. Crucially, the dairy is run entirely on dryland - meaning the business operates with absolutely zero irrigation, requiring utmost precision in pasture management.

A common myth in the industry is that robotic milking is strictly suited for indoor barns. Elton Vale completely dismantles that theory using an efficient ABC grazing system.

Because the original dairy was centrally located, Shannon was able to utilize the farm's existing laneway infrastructure, only needing to double up a single 100-meter stretch to achieve full ABC rotation functionality. The four Lely Astronaut robots sit centrally to three main laneways radiating straight out from the back of the shed.

"We wondered how the cows would adapt from a traditional twice-a-day herringbone routine to voluntary traffic," says Shannon. "But they are incredibly smart and highly food-driven. Within a couple of weeks, they had the whole system figured out. It’s like they have little watches on their legs - they know exactly when the gates change to open up a fresh paddock. Now, the older cows just teach the incoming heifers exactly what to do."

Launching the new system wasn't without its hurdles. Due to lease timelines, the team had a tight one-month window to get the entire dairy built and operational before calving commenced. To add to the pressure, they faced infrastructure delays with the local power grid, forcing the farm to run entirely off a generator for the first months of operation.

"Running on a generator through a dry startup season wasn't exactly helping," Shannon admits. "But the support from the Lely team was incredible. Having their team on-site for every single step of the startup gave us the confidence and knowledge we needed to navigate those early challenges."

Now in their second season, the data speaks for itself. Elton Vale peaked at 280 cows this year, though Shannon plans to strategically dial back to a highly optimized herd of 250 cows to perfectly balance their dryland stocking rate.

The financial and operational metrics highlight the precision of the Lely system:

• Production Growth: Total production is up 8% compared to the previous year.
• Solid Yields: The herd is currently averaging 520 kg of milk solids per cow per year, with components sitting strong at 4.6% fat and 3.9% protein.
• Premium Quality: Somatic cell counts sit consistently around an exceptional 50,000, earning Elton Vale a regular spot in the Top 5 lowest cell counts for their processor.

Beyond production, resource efficiency was designed into the new shed from day one. By installing a green-water flood wash system, Elton Vale saves roughly 28,000 liters of fresh dam water every single day, recycling the effluent back onto the dryland pastures to boost grass growth.

For Shannon, the biggest reward is cow comfort. The precise arm movement of the Astronaut A5 ensures maximum hygiene, keeping cups clean and off the ground. On top of that the robot detects early stages of Mastitis and more.

"The health benefits to the animals are undeniable. The cows are calm, content, and never pushed. They do everything on their own schedule. Since starting, this year our animal health bill has dropped by half."

Shannon isn't slowing down. To maximize their dryland potential and reduce reliance on purchased silage, Elton Vale has introduced a new tow and fert to follow the herd intensively, driving up pasture cover. Future projects include erecting a new hay barn to eliminate storage waste on the feed pad, splitting larger paddocks for tighter grazing control, and growing specialized forage crops to finish off young stock right on the farm.

When asked what she would say to another dairy farmer sitting on the fence about automated milking, Shannon’s answer is direct:

"Just do it! It is an absolute gamechanger. The sheer volume of data and insights you get out of your reports lets you analyze and manage your herd with total precision. You won't look back in regret."

Located in Chudleigh, Tasmania, Elton Vale milks around 280 cows with a dedicated focus on optimization of the farm and animal health. Since 2024, the herd is being milked by four Lely Astronaut milking robots in a setup designed to facilitate A-B-C grazing year-round.

• Lifestyle improvement: Shannon and Will got control, predictability and a better lifestyle, withouth constantly chasing staff.
  
  
• Production: The total production of the herd went up by 8% compared to the previous years, achieves impressive components with an average of 4.6% fat and 3.9% protein (June, 2026).
  
  
• Cow Health: Since going robotics, the animal health bill has dropped by more than half. Somatic cell counts sit consistently around an exceptional 50,000, earning Elton Vale a regular spot in the Top 5 lowest cell counts for their processor.
  
  

*Results have not been verified by Lely or an independent party. Your results may vary.