15 years in operation
Service is Key to Long Robot Life
Service is Key to Long Robot Life
“They’re working today as well as they did when they went in,” says Vernon Loder as he discusses the long-term reliability of the two, 15 year old Lely A3 Astronauts at the family farm near Yeovil.
For Vernon his father, Maurice, and brother, Rupert, the two robots have proved unflinching in their service of their 135 cow pedigree Holstein herd which yields 10,500 litres per cow a year.
“If we can’t fix it, it’s not our problem. Lely will be there to fix it,” says Rupert. Vernon agrees, adding that on the rare occasion a robot has been out of action, engineers from Lely Center Yeovil have been quick to respond. “I don’t think they’ve ever been down longer than two hours,” he says.
The robots have also routinely been upgraded, with the Loders choosing to opt for a new Milk Quality Control system which means sensors can be replaced at quarter level, if necessary. Vernon says it’s one example of how Lely are continuously making improvements. “They’ve looked at everything and tried to make it more reliable for them and for farmers,” he explains.
Although Vernon believes the machines could easily do another 10 years, the family has decided to make the most of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund and apply for a grant for two new Lely A5 models. “The A5s would give us more information as you get a larger quantity of data and they’re quieter” Vernon explains. The A5 also enables more actions to be carried out through the Lely App.
However, if the grant application isn’t successful, they’re confident the A3s will continue to serve them until funds allow investment further down the line.
Why Robots?
As a lover of “gadgets” the decision to automate milking has proved a good choice for Maurice, who was the driving force behind the move to robots in 2009. Then aged 69, he knew investment was needed for the business to continue, particularly considering the then six abreast parlour was being “held together with paint.”
Having cows milk themselves was hugely appealing, whilst the faster pace of a herringbone parlour was not. “I’d always said I’d go into robots as we had out-of-parlour- feeders and they’d just wander in and out of them,” Maurice explains.
Although a herringbone was priced up, Rupert says the robots were much more appealing in the long-term. “I didn’t mind the milking, but I realised dad was getting older and when I finished milking I’d have to feed up, bed up and scrape up and then do it all again,” he explains.
A trip to Holland to look at voluntary milking systems with Ian Tossell - Lely Center Yeovil Managing Director and Sales Consultant - sealed the deal. The family approached the bank and manager to secure lending at the right time, just prior to the Credit Crunch. This allowed them to erect a new building with two robots in the centre, 127 cubicles and an outward facing feed fence. The decision was made to house cows all year round as the location of the new set-up meant cows would have to cross tracks to graze. The family also thought housing would promote better consistency.
With yield and constituents a big driver for Maurice, a sudden move to three times a day milking, coupled with improvements in building environment allowed the herd to maximise its genetic potential. The new system also promoted better flexibility.
Maurice explains: “We can go away for a day now and you don’t have to get back for afternoon milking. You don’t have to get the cows in. You know they’re getting milked. I’ve got no regrets going to robots.”
Optimising Efficiencies
Rupert says one of the main benefits of going with Lely has been the support from Nutritionist Jon Eldridge, FMS Advisor for Lely Center Yeovil. Jon visits the farm monthly and continuously monitors robot performance remotely to advise on ways to maximise robot efficiencies.
Rupert recalls one example where his advice resulted in more efficient milk production. “He altered feed tables and milking access through the robot. He said: I’ll guarantee you more milk. You’ll feed more cake but the milk will outweigh it,” he explains, adding that Jon also provides a fresh pair of eyes for the business. “Jon is getting the full picture. He has experience on lots of other farms and knows what does and doesn’t work,” he says.
Using data
The family also believes that the wealth of data available through the robots helps them to be good stockmen. Individual cow rumination has proved particularly useful in fresh calvers. If rumination dips, she’ll be given calcium and monitored to see if rumination recovers. Rupert sees it as “another tool” in disease prevention, allowing subclinical cases to be picked up early before they escalate. A well balanced dry cow diet is also essential.
Farm Facts
- Broadmead Farm, Yeovil
- Family partnership between Maurice Loder and his sons Vernon and Rupert.
- 132ha (326 acres) total farmed (owned and rented) - mix of grass, maize and wholecrop wheat
- 135 Broadleaze pedigree Holsteins milked through two Lely A3 Astronaut milking robots
- 10,500 litres per cow a year at 4.36% fat and 3.34% protein
- Averaging 3 robot visits a day
- Supplying Arla Asda
- 83,000 cell/ml somatic cell count 29 bactoscan
- 11 cases of mastitis per 100 cows
- Majority of herd served to sexed dairy semen, followed by Hereford
- Beef calves sold at market at 12-14 months
- Calving and housed all year round