A decade of robotic dairying in Southwest Victoria

Lely Astronaut automated milking robots combined with grazing

A decade of robotic dairying in Southwest Victoria

July 2026. Article & Images by: Rick Majoor

While many modern dairy farms boast generations of inherited family infrastructure, Philip (Phil) and Symone Vines built their operation entirely from the ground up. The couple bought their very first cow, aptly named ‘Hope,’ in 2009. By 2013, they had purchased their 292-acre property in Simpson, Victoria, all while managing a second farm and working off farm on the side.

Today, a decade into their robotic milking journey, they have accomplished what traditionally takes multiple generations of farming to achieve - and they did it on their own terms.

Cows over concrete

Prior to the robots, the farm featured an old herringbone shed. When their bank manager suggested looking into automation, Phil initially assumed the cost would be out of reach, but was quickly won over by the calm, stress-free environment it created for the cows.

Because they were financing the project entirely on their own, every design choice had to be ruthlessly practical. They designed a compact facility with zero wasted space, refusing to pour concrete for areas that wouldn't directly serve a purpose. The transition even changed Symone's career trajectory; having grown up on a dairy farm with no intention of farming herself, the peaceful, voluntary flow of the robotic system drew her in, and she now works full-time alongside Phil.

Refining the system: The hybrid model

Over the last ten years, Phil and Symone have adapted their strategies to match their unique environment. After heavy spring rains in 2018 turned their paddocks to mud, they constructed a loafing shed, which was later doubled in size and fitted with a concrete feed pad in 2024. This transformed the farm into a true hybrid operation, allowing them to protect their pastures and cows during extreme weather.

Future horizons: agritourism and off-grid ambitions

Rather than expanding the herd, Phil and Symone are focused on business efficiency and sustainability. Symone has her sights set on agritourism; situated on the busy main road to the Twelve Apostles, she dreams of installing a small pasteuriser and a farm shop to sell directly to the passing tourists.

Phil, meanwhile, is investigating bio-digester technology. He envisions extracting gas from the farm's manure to run a generator, eventually pairing it with solar power to take the entire dairy completely off the grid.

For farmers considering a similar leap, Phil’s advice is rooted in his lifelong philosophy that "can't" is not a word. He urges farmers to do their own research, trust their evaluations, and commit fully to their decisions, noting, "If you constantly change directions, I don't think you go anywhere".

Farm Facts: The Vines Farm

Located in the Great Ocean Road district of Southwest Victoria, Australia, this 292-acre (120-hectare) dairy farm milks between 240 and 280 cows using four Lely Astronaut A4 milking robots within a hybrid system. The property features a large loafing shed - originally built in 2018 and expanded in 2024 - complete with a concrete feed pad, designed to protect pastures during wet seasons.

Strongly committed to sustainability, the operation has reduced synthetic fertiliser usage to less than 25% of the regional average by strategically spreading 30 cubic meters of organic manure and compost per hectare annually.

Moving forward, the farm potentially focuses on: