Benlock Jerseys: Generations of innovation

From a walkthrough dairy in the 70’s to cutting-edge robotics today, the Rushton family has always looked ahead. At Benlock Jerseys in Fairy Dell, the transition to automated milking hasn't just changed how they milk; it has redefined the balance between work and family life.

On the sun-drenched pastures of Fairy Dell, Northern Victoria, Benlock Jerseys stands as a testament to three generations of dairy farming. Bryan Rushton’s parents purchased the original 200-acre block in 1973, having moved from a smaller operation where they originally milked by hand.

In 2006, Bryan and Lee doubled the farm’s size by purchasing the neighbouring block. Today, their son Andrew manages the day-to-day operations alongside his wife Jess and their children, Brodie (6) and Grace (4).

"We’ve always tried to keep up with the progression of the industry," says Andrew, who returned to work on the farm about 17 years ago. From the introduction of automatic cup removers in 2001 to heat detection collars and automated irrigation, the Rushtons have never been afraid of technology. However, their latest move – installing four Lely Astronaut robots - marks the latest shift in the farm's operation.

 

The decision to automate was driven by a 25-year-old dairy that was nearing the end of its lifespan. "Our dairy was reaching a point where several big items needed renewing," Andrew explains. "Even with those repairs, we’d still be left with an old system that required two people to run it, twice a day, every day of the year".

For Bryan, the shift was also about long-term sustainability and labour. "Labour is getting harder and harder to find," he notes. Bryan wanted a system that allowed him to stay involved without the physical toll of traditional milking.

 

One of the biggest concerns was the existing infrastructure. The family wanted to know if they could fit robots into their current dairy without interrupting daily operations.

Working with Reese, the Lely project coordinator, they developed a plan to extend the dairy roof by 8 metres. This allowed them to continue milking in the old herringbone dairy right up until the day they swapped to the robots.

"The cows did exactly what the Lely guys said they were going to do," Andrew says, reflecting on the start-up in October last year. While there was initial anxiety about cow flow and staffing, the transition was managed through a program. The support that we got has just been incredible, even to this day".

The impact on daily life has been, as Bryan describes it, "terrific". Under the old system, milking consumed 11 hours of labour per day, split between two people. Now, a single person can manage the reoccurring tasks in just two hours.

For Andrew, this reclaimed time is invaluable. "With a young family, being able to have dinner with the kids or attend after-school activities that start at 4 o'clock - right at milking time - is huge," he says. "The work still exists, but there is flexibility around when it gets done".  

Despite common misconceptions that robotics and grazing don't mix, Benlock Jerseys proves otherwise. The farm utilizes an A-B-C grazing system year-round, with cows moving comfortably between paddocks and the dairy. "Even on those hot days, they are still coming back through on their own," says Bryan.

The shift has also provided a wealth of data that was previously unavailable. Andrew now monitors cell counts, milk flow, fat, and protein levels for every cow, every single day. "It’s not just a snapshot from a herd test; it's reliable data we can access from a phone or computer at any time".

As the Rushtons look to the future, their focus remains on water use efficiency and pasture management. In a region where water is a precious and expensive commodity, getting the most out of every litre is essential.

When asked who this system is for, Andrew doesn't hesitate: "If you are looking to upgrade your dairy, you should seriously consider this. The investment is comparable to a new traditional dairy, but the flexibility it offers is life-changing".  

Located in Fairy Dell, Benlock Jerseys milks 300 cows with a dedicated focus on pasture management and labour efficiency. Since 2025, the herd is being milked by four Lely Astronaut milking robots in a clever retrofitted cash register setup designed to facilitate A-B-C grazing year-round.

• Labour Savings: Daily milking-related tasks have been reduced from 11 hours (split between two people) to just 2 hours for a single person.
  
  
• Production: The herd achieves impressive components with an average of 5.2% fat and 3.8% protein.
  
  
• Cow Health: The average somatic cell count remains low and stable between 140 and 150.
  
  
• Robot Efficiency: The cows visit the robots for an average of 2.6 milkings per day.

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