12 Months into our Robotic Milking Journey – And it’s a Game Changer for Our Farm

At Muffworthy Farm in Great Torrington, Devon, father-and-son team Michael and Ed Brown have transformed their dairy operation by installing two Lely A5 Astronaut milking robots. As third-generation farmers, the Browns have spent years building their 130-cow herd, and the move to robotic milking has marked one of the most significant and positive changes in their journey.

Ed, who grew up dreaming of driving tractors, has been part of the farm’s evolution from sheep to dairy. After starting out in a six‑abreast parlour at just 22, he and Michael embraced automation to secure the farm’s future. Their goals were clear: reduce labour pressure, improve flexibility, increase milk yield, and enhance cow performance.

According to the Browns, the impact was immediate. Milking and wash‑down, once a two-to-three-hour daily commitment, now take just 20–30 minutes. The family no longer feels tied to rigid milking times, enjoying a level of freedom they hadn’t experienced before. Michael recalls the first Christmas Day with robots when all the jobs were finished in half an hour, allowing them to spend the rest of the day with family.

Ed’s wife, Michelle, has also noticed the difference. “Since the robots have been in, Ed is so much more relaxed and calmer. And he's got more time to spend with us. Putting the robots in means the farm is here if the boys want it later on, we've gone forward, so it's helping us. And with times changing, people getting older, it's a help.” For her, the robots have not only eased the workload but also helped secure the farm for the next generation.

When choosing a supplier, the Browns were confident in their selection of Lely. They valued Lely’s long-standing reputation, the strength of their local center support, and the fact that many local farms were already successfully using Lely systems. For them, Lely’s experience and proximity made the decision straightforward.

“Well, Lely has the reputation and Lely is a good product and with a good dealer locally. Round here, most of the people we know are with Lely. And Lely has been doing it the longest too, so they should be the best.”

Labour savings have been one of the biggest advantages. Previously reliant on a relief milker for 10 milkings a week, the Browns no longer face the stress of organising cover or dealing with staff shortages.

Cow health has also improved dramatically. In the first 12 months, only four cows required antibiotic treatment for mastitis, and cell counts consistently stayed below 100. The cows are calmer, quieter, and less stressed — something both Michael and Ed attribute to gentler, more frequent milking and reduced human pressure.

Milk yield has risen significantly too. Comparing the year before and after installation, the farm has seen a 23–24% increase in production, rising from an average of 22.6 litres to nearly 28 litres per cow. Feeding has become more precise, supporting smoother transitions, stable body condition, and fewer metabolic issues.

One of the most unexpected benefits has been the strengthened connection with the herd. With less time spent in the parlour, Ed and Michael now spend more time observing cows in the shed. The Horizon app and robot health lists help them spot issues earlier, improving stockmanship rather than replacing it.

‘I know the cows a lot better now than I used to. Instead of rushing through milking, we spend more time with them. It's not just a better connection with you and the cows; but for the cows with us too.”

Michael notes that the system is especially kind to heifers, who settle quickly and remain calmer without the stress of being pushed around. “They also aren’t picking up on human stress. They’re a lot calmer and more placid.”

The slurry collector has added further efficiency, keeping the shed cleaner and reducing physical strain.

After a year with Lely milking and manure robots, Muffworthy Farm has achieved major labour savings, improved cow health and welfare, increased milk yield, and greater day-to-day flexibility.

For the Browns, robotic milking has not only made the farm more efficient — it has made it more enjoyable, sustainable, and ready for the future.

“Looking back, installing the robots was absolutely the right decision. Staff shortages were becoming a real concern, and the pressure of managing people added unnecessary stress. Now the farm feels calmer, more efficient, and future-proofed.

It’s a system that works for us — and for our cows.”

Conclusion

After 12 months with Lely robots, Muffworthy Farm has achieved:

• Major labour savings and day-to-day flexibility
• Significant improvements in cow health and welfare
• A 23–24% uplift in milk yield
• More accurate, responsive feeding
• Better stockmanship supported by data