Merchtem, 29 August 2024 - Today the first Lely Orbiter in Belgium was launched at Bart Vanderstraeten and Marijke d'Hertefelt in Merchtem, Flemish Brabant. This makes them the first dairy farm outside the Netherlands to produce high-quality dairy products on the farm with the Orbiter. The Koeweidehof's fresh dairy will be marketed exclusively to the Belgian market under the ‘Oh!Lait’ label, which is also launched today.
Aug. 29, 2024
Press
Opening of the Lely Orbiter in Merchtem.
The Lely Orbiter is an advanced mini dairy factory on the farmyard, which processes and packages milk directly from the Lely Astronaut milking robot. The Orbiter produces fresh dairy products that can be sold directly to consumers, retailers and food service companies. This approach provides transparency in the supply chain and ensures that farmers receives a fair price for their products.
'Based on the need for short and transparent production chains and high-quality dairy products, we launched Lely Orbiter in 2018. We are proud to install the first Lely Orbiter across the border with Bart and Marijke and look forward to working together,' - Sergio Ooijens, managing director Lely Next.
To market Koeweidehof’s dairy products, a new label has been developed for the Belgian market. Under the brand name Oh!Lait, Koeweidehof dairy products are sold exclusively to Belgian retailers and food service companies. Oh!Lait offers a range of different products, including yoghurt, milk, iced coffee and a barista milk variant. The barista milk in particular is unique on the Belgian market due to its higher fat content (minimum 4%). Oh!Lait's barista milk is available in 1-litre bottles and 10-litre bag-in-boxes. Oh!Lait products are available starting today.
‘We are proud that the Lely Orbiter allows us to process our milk on the farm into high quality dairy products.’ - Bart Vanderstraeten, Koeweidehof.
At Koeweidehof, dairy products are produced sustainably. Bart and Marijke strive to achieve the lowest possible CO₂ emissions. They use 100% self-generated green energy for all business activities, including production with the Orbiter. Lely also continuously works to minimise the energy consumption of the Orbiter by efficiently cleaning the system and maximizing the reuse of the heat (energy) that is directly present in the milk from the cows.
In addition, Koeweidehof utilizes energy from sustainable sources. A biogas digester, solar panels and a large energy storage system are used to optimise the use of locally generated energy.
‘It is thanks to top entrepreneurs like Bart and Marijke, who continuously innovate and renew, that Belgian dairy farming is among one of the most sustainable in the world. Today, they demonstrate this once again. By implementing this innovation, they bring sustainable milk directly to consumers. It is up to us policymakers to give Bart and Marijke every opportunity to continue their entrepreneurial efforts.’ – Jo Brouns, Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation, Work, Social Economy and Agriculture.
