The data nobody told them about - The story of the Wyndara Farm in Southwest Victoria.

October 2026. Article & Images by: Rick Majoor & Liam Nguyen

Darren Vickers is a third-generation farmer whose family converted a sheep and beef property into a dairy back in 1996, starting with just 120 cows on 230 acres. Three herringbone rebuilds and a rotary dairy later, the herd had climbed past 600 cows — until staffing pressures forced a retreat to 500. 

Twelve months ago, a new robotic barn changed the equation, built to solve a labour shortage, protect cows through one of the district's toughest climates, and hand Darren back some time with his family.

The operation Darren runs today with a handful of staff and several of his own kids bears little resemblance to the one his father worked. "It was a sheep and beef farm," he says of the property before it was converted. The original plan in 1996 was modest - just 120 cows. Three herringbone conversions and a rotary later, the herd had reached 600 at its peak before staff shortages pushed it back to 500.

With the new barn and its eight Lely Astronaut robots split across four groups, Darren expects to climb back toward 700 milking cows, plus young stock and around 150 beef cattle - without buying another acre.

Darren's country swings hard between extremes: wet, cold winters and scorching summers. He modelled the barn on one he'd visited several times in Northern Victoria, adjusting the drainage and internal fencing to suit his own property and wishes. The payoff has been dramatic — on a recent day that hit over 40 degrees outside, the barn topped out at 28, with no fans required. "It draws the air through terrific, like a wind tunnel," he says, crediting the shed's design rather than any mechanical cooling.

Today, the farm operates with off-grid ambitions, running on solar and battery systems while preparing for future methane bio-digester energy collection. The robotics has reshaped daily family life. "Milking cows is a physical, young person's job day in, day out," Wes reflects. "With the robots taking care of the physical side, I could easily see myself managing this well into my 70s. The technology suits every generation.

The shift has earned the family major recognition, with the operation taking out the Most Innovative Dairy Farmer title at the 90^th South Australian Dairy Awards, and James winning Young Dairy Farmer of the Year, which demonstrates the bright future that lies ahead for our industry.