Lely In the News
Iowa farmer uses TikTok to entertain and educate
April 29, 2022 | KCCI News
Laser-guided robots milk and feed his herd the high-tech way every day. But over the last year, he has made connections through another tool: his smartphone. As KGAN TV reports, last March, Venteicher started using TikTok to share his daily experiences on his farm near Strawberry Point.
Farms thrive with robotic technology
April 25, 2022 | Dairy Star
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – As technology becomes a greater part of the dairy industry, four dairy farmers gathered to discuss their experience with robotic milking systems and provide insight on the automation for others during the robotic panel session March 30 at Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls.
Farm tours to highlight area dairies
April 25, 2022 | Dairy Star
The Minnesota Holstein Association is excited to showcase an exceptional group of dairy farms, processing plants and companies during our host day farm tours Wednesday, June 29, 2022. The Host Farm Tours is one of the highlights of the National Holstein Convention every year. The event allows people from around the country to get a first-hand look at dairy farms in the host area. It also provides an opportunity for the host farms to highlight their operations and unique marketing strategies.
Dairy Profile: Julie and Robert Kiehna
April 25, 2022 | Dairy Star
In 2014, we remodeled our existing tiestall barn and installed a Lely Astronaut A4 robotic milking system. This allowed us to continue dairy farming without hiring outside help and granted us more flexibility with our schedule.
Team effort, improvements breed results
April 25, 2022 | Citizen Tribune
MANAWA, Wis. – Tyler Boyer has watched the Wepner Farms dairy herd continue to improve – especially in the past year. An artificial-insemination specialist for CentralStar Cooperative, he nominated the Manawa-area farm for CentralStar’s ReproStar award.
An open door, answered questions
April 11, 2022 | Dairy Star
GOODHUE, Minn. − On April 2, Dennis and Ruth Buck opened their farm to the public with a twist.
Fred Rau Dairy: From flat barn to robots
March 31, 2022 | Progressive Dairy
One California dairy family believes they are still in business now and for the next generation after a recent transition to robots. Fred Rau Dairy in Fresno, California, has been milking cows for four generations, since 1942.
One-man show Peter Ruiter optimizes his facility for labour efficiency
March 11, 2022 | Progressive Dairy
On a September afternoon in 2017, Peter Ruiter’s lunch break was interrupted by a neighbour who brought news no farm ever wants to hear: His barn had caught fire and his cows were in trouble.
Agriculture exhibit to take over National Mall on National Ag Day
March 8, 2022 | AGDAILY
Agriculture equipment manufacturers and industry leaders around the Washington, D.C., area are gearing up to showcase how innovation enables sustainability — all able to be seen in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Possible Legislation Could Help Iowa Dairy Farmers Purchase Robots
February 23, 2022 | Dairy Herd
Lack of labor is driving many producers to not only consider implementing new technology, such as robots to milk the cows, but also invest in that technology. That all comes with a hefty price tag, as one single robot that can milk around 60 cows hovers around a quarter of a million dollars.
Farmers Offer Contrast in Feed Strategies for Dairy Farms
February 13, 2022 | Lancaster Farming
LANCASTER, Pa. — Walt Moore and Jared Kurtz run dairy farms on different scales and with different feed strategies, but both have the same objective.
Automated milking systems reach 35,000 units
February 7, 2022 | Hoard's Dairyman
“We have been mechanically milking cows for over 100 years, but the first robotic attachment of a teat cup first occurred in 1985,” shared Kristy Campbell at the 61st National Mastitis Council (NMC) Meeting. “The first commercial Automated Milking System (AMS) was installed in 1992,” she went on to say at the early February gathering of the world’s top milk quality experts.
Feed, fuel and maintenance savings enhance payback of automated feeding
February 7, 2022 | Progressive Dairy
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Vector automated feeding system, Lely North America held a roundtable webinar with four dairy producers from the U.S. and Canada.
Environmental stewardship awarded at Canon Dairy
January 17, 2022 | Country Folks
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program announced the first winners of the FARM Excellence Awards.
How robots can help give struggling dairy farmers a boost — if they can afford them
January 3, 2022 | PBS News Hour
CHILTON, Wis. – The farm of Larry and Jennifer Meyer is home to not only one but two cows that have reached the ripe old age of 16. Born in 2005, Malorie, a Holstein, and Treat, a Brown Swiss, celebrated their 16th birthdays this year while still hard at work in the herd. Malorie recently surpassed the 400,000-pound mark for lifetime milk production. Treat is following close behind.
Sweet 16 times two
December 27, 2021 | Dairy Star
CHILTON, Wis. – The farm of Larry and Jennifer Meyer is home to not only one but two cows that have reached the ripe old age of 16. Born in 2005, Malorie, a Holstein, and Treat, a Brown Swiss, celebrated their 16th birthdays this year while still hard at work in the herd. Malorie recently surpassed the 400,000-pound mark for lifetime milk production. Treat is following close behind.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary talks national farm policy during Cambridge dairy visit
December 21, 2021 | Daily Jefferson County Union
Vilsack toured Hinchley’s Dairy Farm, 2844 State Highway 73, that is known regionally for its school and group tours. But it is also a working dairy farm with about 260 cows, with end products that include milk and cheese.
VILSACK COMMENTS ON TRADE DEALS AT WISCONSIN FARM
December 16, 2021 | Brownfield Ag News for America
Vilsack met with farmers, processors, educators, and farm group leaders during stops Thursday morning in Bloomer, Wisconsin, and Thursday afternoon at Hinchley Farms near Cambridge Wisconsin.
Improving everyone’s quality of life: Boons celebrate one year of robotic milking
December 13, 2021 | Dairy Star
GREENWOOD, Wis. – Over seven years of careful consideration and planning, along with touring over 40 dairy farms throughout the Upper Midwest, laid the groundwork for a robotic milking system at Boon Farms in Greenwood.
Automation saved this family farm
December 13, 2021 | Dairy Star
OTTERTAIL, Minn. – The Larson family had reached a crossroads in their dairying career; their herd had grown beyond the capacity of the 74-year-old tiestall barn and the next generation was on the edge of returning to a worn-out facility.
How to dairy in a deep freeze
December 9, 2021 | Progressive Dairy
Linda and Michael Hanson and their sons, Matthew and Steven, of Good Vue Ayr Farm, Goodridge, Minnesota, have to brace for winter’s worst, too. But their situation is a little different than the Quals’. They milk 145 cows with two Lely A4 robotic milkers. They feed cows with a Lely Vector robotic feeding system.
Robotic feeders provide consistent feed mix daily to dairy cows
December 8, 2021 | Agrinews
PELLA, Iowa — Feeding dairy cows with a Lely Vector provides a consistent quality mix each day.
Houck family's Belair Dairy is Culpeper's 2021 Agribusiness of the Year
December 5, 2021 | Culpeper Star Exponent
In 2016, the Houcks installed robotic milking machines—Culpeper County’s first—in a dairy parlor. Manufactured by Lely, an agricultural company in The Netherlands, each automated milker accommodates 60 cows daily and can even test their milk for quality.
Connecterra, Lely announce strategic partnership
December 4, 2021 | Feedstuffs
Following the completion of a successful pilot, the two companies will deepen their collaboration and commercial relationship.
Thanksgiving every day at Clessons River Farm
November 23, 2021 | Country Folks
This year, Melissa Griffin and her family have much to be thankful for: No more getting up at 3:30 in the morning for her father, Paul Willis, to milk their 50 cows. They can now get up at 6 a.m. to do morning chores and feeding. This summer they could also continue cutting hay and chopping corn without running back to the barn at 3 p.m. to milk. How? They installed one Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking machine that operates 24/7 that milks the cows for them.
Schlangens honored for their farm conservation efforts near Albany
November 22, 2021 | SC Times
The Schlangens milk 60 Holsteins with a Lely robotic milker and raise their own feed on 200 acres of corn, soybeans, barley and alfalfa.
ROBOTIC MILKERS, TECHNOLOGY GAIN TRACTION ON DAIRY FARMS
November 8, 2021 | edairynews
Despite their cost, robotic milkers are becoming increasingly popular, as dairy technology for Wisconsin’s remaining 6,700 dairy farms leans more toward saving labor and improving herd health.
INDIANA DAIRY FARMERS DIVERSIFYING THROUGH AGRITOURISM
October 26, 2021 | edairynews
Indiana’s dairy farmers are passionate about what they do and enjoy sharing that passion with others. One of the ways to share that passion, and diversify their operation, is through agritourism.
Connect Summit sessions available on-demand
October 25, 2021 | Morning AgClips
MADISON, Wis. — Registration is open until Nov. 14 for on-demand access to recorded sessions from the VAS Connect Summit, held virtually earlier in October. The premier thought-leadership conference unites dairy farmers and industry allies worldwide through engaging discussions about emerging technology, data and sustainability.
Apply For Future Of Dairy Scholarship
October 21, 2021 | The Mid-West Farm Report
For the sixth year in a row, Lely North America is pleased to offer future dairy industry leaders the opportunity to apply for the Lely Future of Dairy Scholarship. Since its 2016 launch, this program has provided nearly $30,000 worth of support to students who are studying for careers in the dairy industry.
I didn't really want a swimming pool – Cow Palace E39 (In Construction)
October 21, 2021 | Trend Fool Viral News and Videos
Week two of our barn build was definitely less productive that the first. A big rain over the weekend means job number one is getting rid of the water that flowed into our future manure pit. Then, we’ll have to wait a couple more days for the area the barn will sit on to dry, so we can get another day of gravel trucks in.
High Tech Robotic Dairy Field Day on September 22
September 7, 2021 | Morning Ag Clips
MCINTOSH, Minn. — University of Minnesota Extension will be hosting a summer field day at Golden Sunrise Dairy, 31328 290 St SW, McIntosh, MN on September 22.
Robots or nothing: Fessendens, Reiters build new facility on former dairy site
August 30, 2021 | Dairy Star
ELGIN, Minn. – When Craig and Cathy Reiter sold their milking herd in 2011, they thought the dairy chapter of their life had ended.
Texas dairy uses unique robotics to milk their cows
August 26, 2021 | Spectrum News
SCOTLAND, Texas — When most dairy lovers are enjoying a scoop of ice cream, the melted cheese on a burger, or the cream they add to their coffee they usually aren’t thinking about where that dairy came from, and how it got from farm to table.
Foreign-Trade Zones News
August 19, 2021 | ST&R
Authorized production activity at the Lely North America Inc. facility within FTZ 107 in Pella, Iowa, which will be used for the production of automated robotic milking and feeding equipment and related products.
Robotics and innovation are part of the dairy industry
August 18, 2021 | AgDaily
Some may call robotics and technology the modern way to farm, but some of the technology available is hardly 21st century — it has a long history in place already.
Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 107-Des Moines, Iowa; Authorization of Production Activity; Lely North America, Inc. (Automated Milking and Feeding Equipment); Pella, Iowa
August 18, 2021 | Federal Register
On April 14, 2021, Lely North America, Inc. (Lely) submitted a notification of proposed production activity to the FTZ Board for its facility within Subzone 107E, in Pella, Iowa.
UW targets dairy technology
August 18, 2021 | The News Gazette
Some of their research is being conducted at Pioneer Farm, home to 180 milking cows. That’s the average milking-herd size in the state of Wisconsin. The facility features two Lely Astronaut A5 milking robots, which are being used in various research projects.
More time for family
August 16, 2021 | Dairy Star
BIRNAMWOOD, Wis. – Having more time to spend with family is Kurt Olson Jr.’s favorite thing about his farm’s robotic milking unit. He likes to go camping and attend family events, and milking with robots has given Olson the type of freedom that is often hard for farmers to attain.
Northwest MN Dairy Field Day Tour - Polk County
August 2021 | University of Minnesota Extension
In 2016, Tim Rolf and his son, Derek, launched Golden Sunrise Dairy, Inc. In 2020, they moved into a new milking facility featuring robotic milking, feeding, and manure cleaning. Currently they are running about 160 head of milking cows.
Second dairy technology field day to be held Aug. 18
August 1, 2021 | Morning Ag Clips
AMES, Iowa — The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team is hosting a field day focused on dairy technology on the farm. The Aug. 18 field day will feature two farm visits where attendees can see a Trans Iowa low-cost parlor system, utilization of solar panels and robotic milking, feeding and manure handling technology. Following the two farm visits, attendees will have the opportunity to visit a local dairy processing store.
Sobeck Brothers Farms recognized as a 2021 ‘U of M Farm Family’
July 28, 2021 | Winona Post
The Sobeck Brothers Farms of Winona, has been named Winona County’s “2021 Farm Family of the Year” by the University of Minnesota.
Robots a life-changer for Ainsworth family
July 26, 2021 | Dairy Star
SHAWANO, Wis. – Life is good at Shawland Dairy. The cows take care of milking and are producing more milk than they ever have. Cow health is also on the up and up, and the Ainsworths are enjoying a more laid-back lifestyle.
Dairy Meeting Series in New England: August 24-26
July 20, 2021 | Morning Ag Clips
LEBANON, N.H. — To meet the need of some dairy producers looking to improve their milking efficiency, Extension is bringing in Dr. Larry Tranel, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, to cover “Economics of Robotic Milking and TRANS Iowa Low-Cost Parlor Improvements and Renovations”. Larry is nationally known for the work he has done with converting tie-stall barns to holding areas and swing parlors and examining the feasibility of robotic milking on dairy farms.
Progressive Dairy Industry Happenings: July 19, 2021
July 19, 2021 | Progressive Dairy
Dairy Specialists LLC of Evans, Colorado, has acquired the assets of Priority Robotics of Tillamook Inc. effective July 1, 2021. The robotics company specializes in the distribution, installation and service of robotic dairy milking equipment and holds an exclusive territory dealership for Oregon and Washington with Lely North America.
Vermeer receives Iowa tax credits for Pella warehouse project that will add 100 workers
July 16, 2021 | Des Moines Register
Lely, which is based in the Netherlands and makes robotic milking machines, selected Pella as its North American headquarters in 2012. Vermeer built the company space on its campus and leased the property to Lely, Sporrer said. Last fall, Lely broke ground on its own building.
Attend Upcoming PDPW Workshops
July 11, 2021 | The Mid-West Farm Report
PDPW has two education events on July’s calendar: a dairy robotics tour on Thursday and a hoof health workshop on July 20. Shelly Mayer, the executive director of PDPW shares the details.
Lely leader sees tremendous growth potential for robotic dairy solutions
July 9, 2021 | Business Record Innovation Iowa
If you were to put three or four generations of Americans in a room and ask for a show of hands for whoever milked cows as a farm kid, the oldest hands would surely dominate that contest. As people migrate farther and farther from rural areas and farm backgrounds, there will also be a diminishing number of people with agricultural backgrounds who plan to work on farms.
Last Chance to Sign-up for PDPW Dairy Robotic Tours
July 9, 2021 | Dairy Agenda Today
Farm managers who want to see robotic dairy operations in action are being invited to take part in a bus tour next month in eastern Wisconsin.
We Would Do It All Over Again: RMD Dairy Makes the Change to Robotics
July 8, 2021 | Dairy Agenda Today
RMD Dairy is in Rittman, Ohio, about a half-hour northeast of Wooster, and is owned and operated by Rick Dotterer and his sons Matthew and Mark. What Rick’s father began in the 1950s with a herd of Brown Swiss cows has grown and developed into the 600-cow Holstein milking herd it is today, while embracing new technology and keeping family at the forefront.
PDPW Dairy offers robotics tour
July 7, 2021 | Watertown Daily Times
Dairy producers will share how robotics have increased their farm productivity and performance during the Professional Dairy Producers 2021 Dairy Robotics Tours set for Thursday, July 15.
Animal Ag News 7/6
July 6, 2021 | AgWired News from the World of Agribusiness
Dairy Specialists LLC of Evans, Colorado, has finalized an agreement to acquire the assets of Priority Robotics of Tillamook Inc., effective July 1, 2021. Priority Robotics, which was founded in 2015, specializes in the distribution, installation and service of robotic dairy milking equipment and holds an exclusive territory dealership for Oregon and Washington with Lely North America, the worldwide leader in dairy robotics.
DAIRY INNOVATION HUB UPGRADES PLATTEVILLE’S ROBOTS, EXPANDS RESEARCH POSSIBILITIES
July 1, 2021 | Brownfield Ag News for America
The University of Wisconsin River Falls is utilizing new milking robots to expand research and reduce labor.
In Farming, Small is Beautiful, But Can It Also Be Profitable?
July 1, 2021 | Morrisons Cove Herald
Jam the cow has decided she feels like getting milked. A handsome Jersey, a breed prized for its high-quality milk, easy calving and all-around smarts, she strolls into a spotless room, about 10 feet by 15 feet.
Dairy Specialists Acquires Priority Robotics
July 1, 2021 | Dairy Agenda Today
Dairy Specialists LLC of Evans, Colorado, announced it has finalized an agreement to acquire the assets of Priority Robotics of Tillamook Inc., effective July 1. Priority Robotics, which was founded in 2015, specializes in the distribution, installation and service of robotic dairy milking equipment and holds an exclusive territory dealership for Oregon and Washington with Lely North America, the worldwide leader in dairy robotics.
Dairying through the Decades - Zone 1
June 28, 2021 | Dairy Star
Brian & Eileen Hoefler, New Vienna, IA - We started with Brian’s parents milking about 80 cows in stanchions and farming 280 acres. We installed a parlor in 1996 and expanded to about 120 cows. We slowly grew the herd to about 180 cows and added robots in 2011. We also added about 300 acres of land.
All You Need is AI in Agriculture
June 27, 2021 | Hacker Noon
Tapping into historical data on livestock diseases and correlating it with various housing conditions (humidity, temperature, animal density, etc.), artificial intelligence helps farmers establish the best conditions to keep animals in while also decreasing animal treatment costs. Lely is a great example of a company that leverages AI to deliver solutions for smart cow housing.
Robotic milkers bring new opportunities for research, outreach and education
June 26, 2021 | The Monroe Times
PLATTEVILLE — University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm is now home to two new state-of-the-art robotic milkers, enabling more opportunities for research and engagement across campus and the tri-state region. Funded through the Dairy Innovation Hub, the two Lely A5 Astronaut robotic milkers were installed earlier this month and introduced to the nearly 200-cow herd at Pioneer Farm this week. UW-Platteville is currently the only UW System school to operate robotic milkers.
From monitoring cows’ health to global one-on-one help, broadband access key for dairy farms
June 26, 2021 | Farm Week Now
I never thought one of the most important tools on my family dairy farm was going to be a Wi-Fi connection. Like nearly everyone, my phone has become more than just a communication device. It’s my connection to the world.
2021 National Jersey Annual Meeting and Convention - Friday
June 25, 2021 | Dairy Agenda Today
Friday's schedule for the 2021 National Jersey Annual Meeting and Convention, hosted by Iowa Jersey Cattle Club, started with breakfast at the Isle of Capri. At 8:00 am the AJCA Annual meeting was called to order.
Robotic milking systems: Benefits of technology in the dairy industry and keys to success
June 24, 2021 | Morning Ag Clips
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Dairy farming has been in my family for a long time. My mom was raised on an established 75-year dairy farm. Working early into the morning and late into the night was a ritual. Although I broke the tradition and never grew up on a farm, I recently had the opportunity to visit a dairy farm in Melrose, Minnesota that had a robotic milking system installed. This week I will be talking about the benefits of technology in the dairy industry and keys to success when using robotic milking systems.
PDPW Holding Dairy Robotic Tours on July 15
June 23, 2021 | Dairy Agenda Today
Farm managers who want to see robotic dairy operations in action are being invited to take part in a bus tour next month in eastern Wisconsin.
Hodge: The power of technology on today’s dairy farms
June 22, 2021 | Agrinews
I never thought that one of the most important tools on my family dairy farm was going to be our Wi-Fi connection. Like nearly everyone, my phone has become more than just a simple communication device — it’s my connection to the world.
Robotic Milkers Bring New Education Opportunities
June 22, 2021 | The Mid-West Farm Report
University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm is now home to two new state-of-the-art robotic milkers, enabling more opportunities for research and engagement across campus and the tri-state region. Funded through the Dairy Innovation Hub, the two Lely A5 Astronaut robotic milkers were installed earlier this month and introduced to the nearly 200-cow herd at Pioneer Farm this week. UW-Platteville is currently the only UW System school to operate robotic milkers.
UW-Platteville’s new robotic milkers enable research opportunity
June 21, 2021 | NBC 15 WMTV
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (WMTV) - UW-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm is now home to two new robotic milkers, enabling opportunities for research and engagement campus-wide and regionally.
Robotic milkers bring new opportunities for research, outreach and education
June 18, 2021 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville
University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm is now home to two new state-of-the-art robotic milkers, enabling more opportunities for research and engagement across campus and the tri-state region. Funded through the Dairy Innovation Hub, the two Lely A5 Astronaut robotic milkers were installed earlier this month and introduced to the nearly 200-cow herd at Pioneer Farm this week. UW-Platteville is currently the only UW System school to operate robotic milkers.
Focusing on the Pen vs Individual cows to deliver profits: 3 well know dairy experts share their experience
June 18, 2021 | Hoard's Dairyman
As dairies are getting larger, monitoring what's happening at pen level is proving to be the best approach for producers. It allows them to prevent and predict health issues, improve diets fed to the herd and hence increase farm profitability.
Happy herd: Marshalls create unique, organic, robotic dairy in Orange County
June 17, 2021 | The Daily Progress
UNIONVILLE — The 550 cows at Keith and Deanne Marshall’s Unionville dairy farm would seem to live an enviable life. They eat when they want. They get milked when they want. They have high-energy organic grasses in their pastures and they rotate among those daily. They even have waterbed-like stalls in the milking parlor that further their comfort before their milking.
Happy herd: Marshalls create unique, organic, robotic dairy
June 13, 2021 | Culpepper Start Exponent
The 550 cows at Keith and Deanne Marshall’s Unionville dairy farm would seem to live an enviable life. They eat when they want. They get milked when they want. They have high-energy organic grasses in their pastures and they rotate among those daily. They even have waterbed-like stalls in the milking parlor that further their comfort before their milking.
Progressive Dairy Industry Happenings: June 12, 2021
June 12, 2021 | Progressive Dairy
Lely North America announced the launch of its Lely Quaress Omnia teat spray as part of the company’s aftermarket consumables line. This U.S.-only product is a teat spray designed for teat disinfection, protection and conditioning. The spray is a non-iodine concentrate that can be used in all milking systems. When utilized with the company’s robotic milking system, it is applied as a post-milking teat spray.
THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY ON TODAY’S DAIRY FARMS
June 11, 2021 | edairynews
I never thought that one of the most important tools on my family dairy farm was going to be our Wi-Fi connection.
Young Iowa Farmers Give Back to Communities
June 11, 2021 | Iowa Ag Connection
Megan Kregel of Clayton County, Cordt Holub of Tama County and Michael McEnany of Story County have been selected as recipients of Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) Young Farmer Leadership Award for their involvement in Farm Bureau activities, agricultural advocacy efforts and service to their communities.
Star in Ag Placement to be announced during FFA convention
June 7, 2021 | Agrinews
SAE Project: Working at Twinn Brook Farm is helping Katy Cassan learn important techniques and skills needed to manage a dairy herd. At the Jersey dairy farm, Cassan has many responsibilities including cleaning the Lely robot milking machine, feeding calves, managing bedding and maintaining supplies.
Oldenkamp Dairy: Putting robots to work
June 3, 2021 | Capital Press
TILLAMOOK, Ore. — You might say the cows at Oldenkamp Dairy have the run of the place.
An opportunity to learn and network about Precision Dairy technology!
May 28, 2021 | Hoard's Dairyman
The University of Minnesota invites you to attend the Dairy Conference, June 22-23, 2021. The event will be a ‘neutral space’ where many technologies come together to be discussed and learned about. Producers, consultants, veterinarians, industry representatives, and researchers are all part of the program, which is more end-user focused this year.
Wiegels build new robotic freestall to allow for upgrade
May 24, 2021 | Dairy Star
SOUTH WAYNE, Wis. – While robots are the newest technology in the dairy world for milking cow, they are not new to the Wiegels, who retrofitted four robotic milking units into their barn in 2008.
Learn about precision dairy technology
May 19, 2021 | Morning Ag Clips
ST. PAUL — The University of Minnesota invites you to attend the 2021 Precision Dairy Conference, June 22-23, 2021. The event will be a ‘neutral space’ where many technologies come together to be discussed and learned about. Producers, consultants, veterinarians, industry representatives, and researchers are all part of the program, which is more end-user focused this year.
Texas dairyman has faith for the future with robotics
May 18, 2021 | Progressive Dairy
Most people, especially those involved in the dairy industry, know the saying “Keep on keeping on” all too well. For dairy farmers across the country, it has been more than a saying but a way of life for decades, especially the last year. You put faith in your values and what you know best – your family, experience, passion – and continue despite circumstances.
Oakleigh Farm in Pennsylvania has embraced robotics as a way to cut labor and focus more on feed quality.
May 12, 2021 | American Agriculturist
When a fire destroyed the bank barn at Oakleigh Farm in December 2019, the Brake family had a big decision to make.
LELY NORTH AMERICA LAUNCHES LELY QUARESS OMNIA TEAT SPRAY
May 10, 2021 | AgriMarketing
Pella, IA - Lely North America is proud to announce the launch of its Lely Quaress Omnia teat spray as part of the Lely aftermarket consumables line. This U.S.-only product is an affordable teat spray that is designed for teat disinfection, protection and conditioning. Lely Quaress Omnia is a non-iodine concentrate that can be used in all milking systems. When utilized with the Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking system, it is applied as a post-milking teat spray.
LELY NORTH AMERICA LAUNCHES NEW TEAT SPRAY
May 7, 2021 | Successful Farming
Lely North America has launched the Quaress Omnia teat spray. Designed for teat disinfection, protection, and conditioning, this affordable teat spray is only available in the U.S. A non-iodine concentrate, Quaress Omnia can be used in all milking systems. It is applied as a post-milking teat spray if used with the Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking system.
Sisters Turning Dairy Farm Into Smooth-Running Machine
May 7, 2021 | Lancaster Farming
Sometimes genetic traits skip a generation. For a family in Central Square, New York, it seems the “dairy gene” skipped from grandparent to grandchildren — make that granddaughters. Sisters Trista VanDuzer and Melissa Booth joined forces in reviving their grandparents’ farm and bringing a dairy herd back to the 220 acres — an enterprise the older generation had quit in the 1980s.
Calling all agtech startups! Lely wants to help you revolutionize the dairy industry
April 29, 2021 | AgFunder Network
Are you a startup innovating in the dairy industry? If so, agriculture machinery company Lely wants to hear from you for its upcoming Feed the Future Challenge 2021. (You can already apply here now!)
Lely North America Celebrates 10 Years with the Lely Vector
April 22, 2021 | Hoard's Dairyman
What's the secret behind the success of the Lely Vector automatic feeding system? Continuous innovation and development. With the latest features added to the system, Lely is helping farmers stay profitable and sustainable. The Lely Vector is now successfully used in a wide variety of dairy and beef cattle farms in 31 countries. This year, the system celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Area Farm Uses Technology to Increase Sustainability
April 21, 2021 | Progressive Dairy
ATHENS, Wis. (WAOW) -- Back in October of 2019, Miltrim Farms added 18 robotic milking machines to their production.
The key to success in diversifying: Finding the right people
April 21, 2021 | Progressive Dairy
The Webb family and their partners at Heglar Creek Dairy in Declo, Idaho, led a virtual roundtable discussion at the 2021 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, sharing their story of how hard work and a positive attitude have contributed to their growth and success.
Striving for perfection: Technology-driven Drees aims high with robotics, milk testing software
April 12, 2021 | Dairy Star
PESHTIGO, Wis. – Even before he finished college, Mack Drees knew the only place he wanted to work was his family’s farm, Drees Dairy. But Drees knew things had to change in order to support the return of the next generation. He wanted to grow the farm but in a way that would not require more employees. So, he turned to robotics.
Daily maintenance tips to keep robots running smoothly
April 7, 2021 | Progressive Dairy
Ten minutes a day will keep robot issues away. Proper daily maintenance routines are vital for robot owners who don’t want the robot calling in the middle of the night. Here is a list of items to check when you enter the robot room.
New Line-up of Speakers Announced for Week 52 of The Dairy Signal™
April 6, 2021 | Dairy Business
Robotic milking systems are becoming more common. Hear what producers have learned first-hand as they share their experiences with their robotic milking systems.
Recipe for success: Kreagers building up farm for the second generation
March 27, 2021 | Dairy Star
MARATHON CITY, Wis. – Hard work and determination mixed with a healthy dose of doing what you can when you can with what you have are the primary ingredients in the recipe of success for first-generation dairy farmers Keith and Juli Kreager.
Lely Installs ‘Commodity Feeder’ on Every New Lely Astronaut A5
March 26, 2021 | Hoard's Dairyman
Lely North America has standardized the installation of the 'commodity feeder' on the Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking system, which makes it possible to feed non-pelleted feed. Two years ago, the commodity feeder was introduced as an option and it is currently used by hundreds of robotic milkers worldwide.
LELY OFFERS COMMODITY FEEDER AS A STANDARD SOLUTION
March 19, 2021 | Successful Farming
The partial mixed ration is an extra incentive for many cows to visit the milking robot. By offering the commodity feeder as a standard feature on the Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking system, producers will now have the ability to offer their animals non-pelleted feed while reducing feed costs.
LELY INSTALLS "COMMODITY FEEDER" ON EVERY NEW LELY ASTRONAUT A5
March 18, 2021 | AgriMarketing
Pella, IA - Lely North America has standardized the installation of the 'commodity feeder' on the Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking system, which makes it possible to feed non-pelleted feed. Two years ago, the commodity feeder was introduced as an option and it is currently used by hundreds of robotic milkers worldwide.
Dairy Technology Field Day to be Held on April 14
March 16, 2021 | Hoard's Dairyman
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team is hosting a field day focused on dairy technology on the farm. The April 14 field day will feature two farm visits where attendees can see automated feeding and milking system technology in action and learn about calf barn management, ventilation and feeding calves with a milk taxi.
Their cows are less stressed and healthy
March 8, 2021 | Hoard's Dairyman
While automated milking systems sound appealing in many aspects, it takes careful consideration to determine if robotics are the right fit for a dairy. Adoption has been more widespread among smaller farms, but the technology has been integrated into larger herds more slowly./strong>
HOW TECHNOLOGY ALIGNS ANIMAL AGRICULTURE WITH SUSTAINABILITY
March 8, 2021 | Successful Farming
At the Animal AgTech Innovation Summit this week, panelists discuss the opportunities and the expectations the livestock industry has to become even more sustainable in the future./strong>
Lely launches the second edition of Feed the Future together with Rockstart to disrupt the dairy industry
March 3, 2021 | AgriTech Tomorrow
Amsterdam, March 3, 2021: Rockstart, global accelerator-VC, announces that applications for the Feed the Future Challenge 2021, organized in partnership with Lely, are now open. The Feed the Future Challenge 2021 will be supported by Rockstart, who will play a key role in scouting and preparing the startups to work with Lely. The 2021 edition, which calls on the next generation of tech pioneers to revolutionize the dairy industry with their technological solutions, comes after the two companies successfully collaborated to produce the first edition of the challenge in 2019. Startups can apply for the Feed the Future Challenge from March 3 to May 15, 2021. The winners will have the opportunity to run a pilot with Lely.
Dairy Profile: John and Sharon, Pearl, Krysta, Craig and Dawn Vander Waal
March 1, 2021 | Dairy Star
How did you get into farming? My dad, Aart, started building a new dairy facility near Hull, Iowa, in 1998. He got cancer and passed away later that year, so my brothers and I took over the operation. In 2017, my wife, Sharon, and I went out on our own and built a robotic dairy facility on a bare patch of land. It was great to have the opportunity to design our dairy from scratch instead of trying to retrofit things. We milk with four Lely robots and bed our cows with manure solids. We have two robots for the older and larger cows and two for the heifers and smaller animals. Our dairy barn is comfy and the cow flow is superb.
Robotic milking in the dairy industry
February 26, 2021 | Nature World News
When we think of automation and the processes that are on the brink of revolutionising many key sectors, agriculture is probably not the first industry that springs to mind. Typically pictured as a demanding line of manual work that still harbours a lot of back-to-basics practices, automation has actually been around in the world of farming for decades now in the form of robotic milking.
Robots don’t just help farmers' mental health - cows like them, too
February 17, 2021 | Morning Ag Clips
A study published this month by a team at the University of Guelph found that farmers using automated milking systems reported having better mental health than their peers. But farmers aren’t the only ones benefiting from the technology — the cows seem to prefer it, too.
Robotic Machinery Has Created Immense Demand In The Milking Machines Market
February 15, 2021 | EIN Food & drug Administration News Today
Robotic milking machines have created immense demand in the milking machinery market. More dairy farmers are looking to robotic-milking systems because of the difficulty in finding a dependable workforce or being able to afford labor costs.
Diversification Expands Dairy’s Reach
February 12, 2021 | Lancaster Farming
For many farm families, running a 2,000-cow dairy would be more than enough to keep busy. But for the Webb family in southeast Idaho, the milking herd is just the cornerstone of an enterprise with a half-dozen business units that allows close management of the entire production process.
USED ROBOTIC DAIRY MACHINES FOR SALE
February 10, 2021 | Successful Farming
As in buying a car, buying a milking robot comes down to whether you want the brand-new version or one that costs less and has a lot of use left. Steve Fried, director of customer solutions for Lely North America, says the market for used milking robots is starting to develop in the U.S. and is more mature in the Canadian market.
Alice In Dairyland: Holding The Title For Another Round
February 10, 2021 | Y100 WNCY Midwest Communications, Inc.
Late last year it was announced that Julia Nunes would keep her title as Alice in Dairyland for a consecutive year due to COVID-19. This gives her another opportunity to share her story of passion for agriculture with the public. One of the ways she’s been doing that is with a virtual farm tour of her parent’s dairy, which was released this week. Her family owns Scientific Holsteins in Chippewa Falls where they milk about 125 cows with Lely robots.
Road improvement funding approved for businesses in Sioux Center, Pella
February 9, 2021 | Radio Iowa
The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved funds for roadway improvements to help businesses in Sioux Center and Pella.
Researchers link dairy-farmer quality of life to automation and technology
February 7, 2021 | The Globe and Mail
Courtney Denard and her husband, Rob Kirkconnell, were gathered with family at Christmas a few years back when a weird feeling came over Ms. Denard. The pair, along with Mr. Kirkconnell’s parents, operate Valleykirk Farms Ltd., a dairy farm with around 60 milking cows. For decades, that meant planning life around morning and afternoon chores. But earlier that year, on Halloween, Valleykirk fired up its new robotic milking system. And with that, the cows no longer dictated when Christmas dinner – or any dinner – is served.
Innovation takes dairy into future
February 5, 2021 | Citizen Tribune
ELK MOUND, Wis. – Michael Jr. and Jenny Jenson are innovative young farmers. They’ve incorporated technology as well as novel practices into their farm. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit they added an on-farm market.
Grab a cup of joe and join us for Lely’s Coffee Talks!
January 26, 2021 | Dairy Business
Lely North America is excited to announce the launch of its Coffee Talks video series! Grab a cup of joe and join us each week for brief discussions with dairy farmers about their Lely red barns. Hear directly from dairy farmers about how their robotic management systems maximize the productivity of their herds while keeping a keen eye on return on investment plans.
Family dairy evolves with the times
January 25, 2021 | Tri-State Neighbor
Four generations of Stenslands work together on the family farm near Larchwood, Iowa, that has been in the family for more than 100 years. In 2010, they decided to put in three Lely robotic milkers and today they milk about 170 head of Holstein-cross cows.
New generation of Wisconsin dairy farmers look for a future that keeps them on the land, following their passion
January 21, 2021 | Wisconsin Rapids Tribune
Malm’s Rolling Acres has invested in robots that milk the cows whenever they feel like being milked, 24 hours a day, reducing labor costs and freeing up family members for other tasks.
PELLA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES ADDITIONAL UPGRADES TO SUPPORT LELY DEVELOPMENT
January 21, 2021 | KNIA-KRLS
The Pella City Council is moving ahead with several initiatives to support the new Lely North America Headquarters development, including infrastructure upgrades.
Extension, Dairy Initiatives host virtual dairy management meetings
January 15, 2021 | The Farmer
What's the craze with robotic milkers? Learn from dairy farmers Ashley Swenson and Jim Dieball about the reasons they installed robotic milkers and keys to making them successful.
Homestead Wins Innovation Title
January 15, 2021 | The Farmer's Exchange
On any given day at Homestead Dairy in Plymouth, you'll find cows interacting with robots on a dairy homesteaded in the early 1900s. When most people think about cows and robots, milking robots come to mind, and while Homestead is one of the largest robotic dairies in the country, their use of technology on all three of their dairies goes way beyond that.
These Powassan cows are milked on their own time
December 30, 2020 | North Bay Nipissing
There's something a little different nowadays at the Kunkel dairy farm in Powassan. The cows are no longer milked by hand. Rather, husband and wife Dustin and Natasha Kunkel have made the jump to robotic farming.
Robotic milkers: Where we are and where we’re going
December 23, 2020 | Dairy Global
The latest updates on features and capabilities in current models of robotic milkers as well as speculation on system designs of the future.
Breeding for the Next Best One
December 21, 2020 | Dairy Agenda Today
Isaac has been hard at work on remodeling a barn for his show cows that will have six pack pens and each pen will accommodate two milk cows or 3-4 heifers or 4-5 calves. Currently the Folts milk 110 head with two Lely robots. Isaac and his brother Zane and their parents monitor the herd. After operating a successful trucking business, the Folts began milking cows five years ago.
Milking the most of it:This West Texas dairy farm embraces robotic technology to improve the family operation.
December 2020 | Farm Credit
Spend 10 minutes with T&K Dairy owner Will Collier and you quickly get the picture. Life on a dairy farm is busy. Even when the days are long, time is short.
Department of Agriculture inaugurates the first robotic dairy in Puerto Rico
December 12, 2020 | AlKhaleej Today
After an investment of $ 194,000 from the Agricultural Investment Program, the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture (DA) announced today the inauguration of the first robotic dairy in Puerto Rico.
Ed-Mar Dairy farm, family-owned for 70 years, goes high tech with ‘Pearl’ to manage 56 cows
December 12, 2020 | Northern Kentucky Tribune
Nestled on top of the rolling hills of southern Kenton County, the 130-acre Ed-Mar Dairy farm has been family-owned for over 70 years. Eddie and Marcy Gibson love the farm life, raising dairy cattle to produce milk and cheese. It is their passion.
Lely North America breaks ground on new campus
October 30, 2020 | Feedstuffs
Lely announced plans for its new North American campus in 2019 and officially held the groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 22 at the company’s new location in Pella, Iowa. Lely North America president Chad Huyser led the event, and the new campus, which spans nearly 60 acres, is expected to open in the first quarter of 2022.
Dairy-automation firm breaks ground
October 29, 2020 | Winchester News Gazette
Lely recently broke ground for its new North American campus in Pella, Iowa. The facility is expected to open in the first quarter of 2022.
Dairy-automation firm breaks ground
October 29, 2020 | KPVI
Lely recently broke ground for its new North American campus in Pella, Iowa. The facility is expected to open in the first quarter of 2022.
Lely North America Breaks Ground on New Campus
October 28, 2020 | Dairy Business
In 2019, Lely announced plans for its new North American campus, furthering its commitment to Pella, the state of Iowa and the dairy producers across North America.
Lely Breaks Ground on New Iowa Facility
October 28, 2020 | Dairy Herd Management
Lely North America broke ground Oct. 22 on a new 60 acre campus in Pella, Iowa that will include a new, 100,000 square foot facility to house manufacturing and professional space along with a state-of-the-art training facility.
BARN SWEET BARN: COWS GET MAJOR HOUSING UPGRADE
October 28, 2020 | The Lantern
Carmen, like many Americans, has been working from home this year. To help improve employee morale, safety and productivity, her company decided to pay for premium living accommodations for her entire department.
Lely Breaks Ground on New Iowa Facility
October 28, 2020 | Farm|Journal Ag Web
Lely North America broke ground Oct. 22 on a new 60 acre campus in Pella, Iowa that will include a new, 100,000 square foot facility to house manufacturing and professional space along with a state-of-the-art training facility.
LELY NORTH AMERICA BREAKS GROUND ON NEW CAMPUS NEAR PELLA, IOWA
October 27, 2020 | AgriMarketing
Pella, IA - In 2019, Lely announced plans for its new North American campus, furthering its commitment to Pella, the state of Iowa and the dairy producers across North America.
Lely breaks ground for new campus
October 27, 2020 | Farm Progress
A groundbreaking ceremony for Lely's new North American campus took place Oct. 22 at the company’s new location in Pella, Iowa. The new campus is expected to open in first quarter 2022.
Ag Briefs: Lely North America breaks ground on new campus
October 27, 2020 | Wisconsin State Farmer
Following its announcement to expand across North America, the company held a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 22 at the company's new location in Pella, IA.
Lely North America Breaks Ground on New Campus
October 27, 2020 | Hoard's Dairyman
In 2019, Lely announced plans for its new North American campus, furthering its commitment to Pella, the state of Iowa and the dairy producers across North America.
Lely North America Breaks Ground on New Campus
October 27, 2020 | NEWSRADIO 1040, WHO
Ground has been broken as Lely continues work in completing plans for its new North American campus, furthering its commitment to Pella, the state of Iowa and the dairy producers across North America. Lely North America President Chad Huyser led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus, which he expects to be open in the first quarter of 2022.
Lely North America Breaks Ground on New Campus
October 27, 2020 | Feed & Grain
In 2019, Lely announced plans for its new North American campus, furthering its commitment to Pella, the state of Iowa and the dairy producers across North America. The groundbreaking ceremony took place October 22 at the company’s new location. Lely North America President Chad Huyser led the event, and the new campus expects to be open in the first quarter of 2022.
LT. GOVERNOR SEES LELY EXPANSION AS REFLECTION OF BIPARTISAN INVESTMENT IN RURAL IOWA
October 27, 2020 | KNIA - KRLS
Gregg says the growth of the project is a reflection of bipartisan commitment to grow the state’s agricultural technology sector, and to invest in rural Iowa through Future Ready Iowa and the Empower Rural Iowa initiatives.
Lely North America Breaks Ground on New Campus
October 26, 2020 | Ag Equipment Intelligence
Pella, Iowa — In 2019, Lely announced plans for its new North American campus, furthering its commitment to Pella, the state of Iowa and the dairy producers across North America.
Lely breaks ground on campus
October 26, 2020 | Ontario Farmer
In 2019, Lely announced plans for its new North American campus, furthering its commitment to Pella, the state of Iowa and the dairy producers across North America.
LET’S TALK PELLA – LELY PARK GROUNDBREAKING
October 26, 2020 | KNIA - KRLS
President of Lely, North America Chad Huyser discusses the new headquarters for the robotic milking company following last week’s groundbreaking ceremony.
LELY BREAKS GROUND ON NEW NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS
October 23, 2020 | KNIA - KRLS
Lely North America broke ground on their new corporate headquarters at a ceremony Thursday afternoon.
Lely North America breaks ground for headquarters ‘park’ in Pella
October 23, 2020 | Business Record
Lely North America Inc., part of a global manufacturer of automated dairy equipment based in the Netherlands, on Thursday celebrated the start of construction of its new headquarters in Pella. Lely officials joined representatives of the Pella City Council, Mayor Don DeWaard, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and other guests in a groundbreaking ceremony at the site.
Lely North America breaks ground on new headquarters
October 22, 2020 | Oskaloosa Herald
PELLA – Corporate, city and state representatives got their shoes dirty as they broke ground for the development of Lely Park, Lely North America’s new corporate headquarters.
CITY OF PELLA CONTINUES ANNEXATION PROCESS FOR LELY HEADQUARTERS TUESDAY
October 18, 2020 | KNIA - KRLS
The Pella City Council will consider the next step of annexing land for the new Lely North America Headquarters at their meeting Tuesday.
Quality feed a cornerstone for Jenson
October 12, 2020 | Dairy Star
After all, taking top honors in one division and reserve champion honors in a second division during one’s first year competing in the World Forage Analysis Superbowl seems unlikely. But Michael Jenson Jr. simply sees it as validation that what he is growing for his cows is the best possible forages.
Ag 4.0: West Michigan farmers turn to evolving technology to bolster efficiency
October 11, 2020 | MiBiz
ALTO — A key aspect of Industry 4.0 technology is finding a way to automate processes that are repetitive, dull, dirty or even dangerous.
Lely launches a new robot ... in case you missed it
October 9, 2020 | The Cow Tech Report
During an iPhone launch-style production this week that was broadcast live from a farm in the Netherlands, Lely announced a new robot, a barn ammonia capture system and new updates to its herd management software.
Sunderland Farm Recognized for Excellence in Dairying
October 2, 2020 | Dairy Business
Although it can trace its beginnings back to the mid-19th century when thousands of Merino sheep grazed its pastureland, the farm has never stopped moving forward. The farmers are quick to adopt new technology, including robotic milkers, to make their operation more efficient and cost-effective. Their attention to detail when it comes to their cows is evident by their exceptional milk quality, high quality forages and ongoing measures to improve cow comfort.
Automated feeding: Efficient, accurate and healthy for cows
October 1, 2020 | Progressive Dairy
Automated feeding is not necessarily a new concept. Tiestall barns utilized automated versions of concentrate feeders as far back as the 1970s and ’80s.
A decade of progression: Klaphakes form partnership, carry on with automation
September 28, 2020 | Dairy Star
As Kevin and Steve Klaphake review cow data on their computer in the dairy barn office, a single picture of the Klaphake men hangs on the wall behind them as a humble reminder of how the family farm has progressed in the last 10 years.
Breeding, quality forages, consistent routines propels production at Horsens Homestead Farms LLC
September 14, 2020 | Dairy Star
The Horsens family have a new 18-row freestall barn where they began milking with robots in January. The Horsens currently milk 1,170 cows on their dairy near Cecil, Wisconsin. More than half of the herd is milked with 12 robots while the rest is milked in a double-8 parallel parlor. Cows average 33,041 pounds of milk, 3.9% butterfat and 3.15% protein.
Milking robots: Consider the return on investment
September 11, 2020 | Progressive Dairy
It’s natural and understandable that most of us are instinctively risk-averse. Our challenge sometimes may be to accurately determine our risk versus reward.
Dairy farm adds second robotic milking machine
August 28, 2020 | Agrinews
A central Indiana dairy farmer is embracing the latest technology on his farm and reaping the benefits. John Carter has 80 cows in his herd on his dairy farm in Frankfort and has two Lely robots to do his milking. He said they made the move to robots because of their prior facilities.
Derecho storm leaves destruction on Iowa dairies
August 24, 2020 | DairyStar
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A derecho, a long-lived straight-lined wind storm that is often referred to as an inland hurricane, caused $14 million destruction in Iowa crops that headlined the news surrounding the unusual storm that developed in Iowa and crossed the Midwest Aug. 10. But dairy farm buildings and animals were also caught in the path of the winds the National Weather Service estimated as high as 130 mph.
2020 Vermont Dairy Farm of the Year: Sunderland Farm, Bridport
August 12, 2020 | The University of Vermont
Sunderland Farm, a sixth-generation dairy operation in Bridport, can best be described as a farm with a future that's not forgotten its past. Although it can trace its beginnings back to the mid-19th century when thousands of Merino sheep grazed its pastureland, the farm has never stopped moving forward. The farmers are quick to adopt new technology, including robotic milkers, to make their operation more efficient and cost-effective.
Making the cut: Field observations of robotic milking nutrition
August 7, 2020 | Progressive Dairy
As farms have implemented robotic milking into their operations, the perceived challenge of feeding robotic herds has grown. Many farms that have implemented robotic milking or automated milking systems (AMS) have also embraced the idea of free cow traffic in which the cow is free to do as it pleases in the barn on its own schedule.
[Podcast] Anna Hinchley: Designing her own robot barn
August 4, 2020 | Progressive Dairy
In this episode, we hear from 22-year-old dairy farmer Anna Hinchley. Her desire to return to her family’s dairy in Cambridge, Wisconsin, after graduating prompted her parents to move forward with expanding the herd and upgrading to automated milking. Anna has been involved in every step of the barn design process. Hear about the key features of her robot barn here.
Podcast: Lely’s Chad Huyser on Automation Innovation in Dairy Farming
July 31, 2020 | The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Huyser shares his thoughts on automation in farming today, how COVID-19 impacted the supply chain and how the future may look like as farmers transition to new automation techniques.
Stensland speaks about organic dairy farming
July 30, 2020 | Daily Leader Extra
An Iowa dairy farmer whose family stocks some of the ice cream for two Madison retail stores spoke about his organic farming operation during a Thursday seminar held in Lake County.
Pioneers in robotic milking
June 29, 2020 | Dairy Star
Jacob Knigge and his dad, Charlie, operate Knigge Farms with Charlie’s parents, Pete and Theo, near Omro, Wisconsin. The Knigges have been milking 120 cows with two robots for 20 years.
Dairy Embraces Technology
June 15, 2020 | Ozarks Farm & Neighbor
Dominic Wick and his family immigrated to America from Switzerland when he was 4. He was raised on a Stilwell, Okla., dairy farm while his wife Doylena was also raised on another in central Arkansas.
Rein Dairy Farm runs with robotics
June 8, 2020 | Fillmore County Journal
With technology running the world in a variety of ways, one typically doesn’t think about technology and farming. Robotic systems are becoming the future to feasibly allow small dairy farms to exist.
Choose your robotic milking system wisely
June 4, 2020 | American Agriculturist
Editor’s note: Timothy Terry, farming strategic planning specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension, has compiled three stories’ worth of information on robotic milking systems based on visits to dairy farms in New York. This is the third story in the series.
Lely North America June Dairy Month Social Media Campaign
June 4, 2020 | Hoard's Dairyman
As a way of saying thanks to dairy producers during these uncertain times, Lely North America is asking everyone to show their dairy pride by simply posting a short video or photo of them enjoying their favorite dairy product. Those who participate will have the chance to win an exclusive Lely t-shirt and the winners will be randomly selected each week.
Find the right robotic milking system for your operation
May 8, 2020 | American Agriculturist
I was recently invited to participate in a robotic farming discussion group. The evening began with a few presentations by a robot manufacture that, surprisingly, were less about sales and more about startup and management of the systems and the cows.
Automation aids in customized complete milking by quarter
May 6, 2020 | Progressive Dairy
When it comes to milking cows properly, three terms are commonly used: gentle, quick and complete. These terms are often in direct conflict with one another. If one wants to pursue complete milking, it is often neither quick nor gentle. If the goal is quick, complete is often left by the wayside. If gentle is the objective, it is often difficult to be complete.
Robots show value in feed efficiency, reduced labor
April 24, 2020 | American Agriculturist
Timothy Terry, farming strategic planning specialist with Cornell Extension, has compiled three stories’ worth of information on robotic milking systems based on visits to dairy farms in New York. This is the first story in the series.
Three words rule at Peshtigo dairy farm
April 7, 2020 | Citizen Tribune
PESHTIGO, Wis. – Three words are golden at Drees Dairy Farm – efficiency, consistency and comfort. So when the Drees family worked on a plan to expand their farm, energy efficiency was an important factor. They made a transition in 2015 from a tiestall barn to a freestall barn with tunnel ventilation and four milking robots. They also switched from single-phase to three-phase electric power with help from Wisconsin Public Service.
Robot barns: Retrofit or build new?
March 31, 2020 | Progressive Dairy
For dairies considering robotic milking, one common question often asked is whether it is best to build a new barn or retrofit an existing one. The answer, typically, is: “It depends.” I suggest your answer be based on which scenario offers the best return on investment, meets the goals of the dairy (especially for tomorrow) and satisfies the budget.
Honey Creek Dairy using first robotic feeding system in Iowa
March 25, 2020 | Manchester Press
While the owners of Honey Creek Dairy, west of Edgewood, are using state-of-the-art equipment for their dairy operation, they also have a solid base in cow comfort that began from generations of dairymen who farmed before them.
Mary Chamberlain Elected to Oregon Dairy Farmers Board
March 18, 2020 | Dairy Business
Mary works at Dairylain Farms LLC alongside her husband Jason, and in-laws Warren and Lori Chamberlain in Willowcreek, outside of Vale. They currently milk 450 registered Jerseys on 8 Lely robots. Mary is primarily in-charge of young calves, along with the herd health vaccination program. When she is not at the dairy, she substitute teaches in the local school district and during the fall is the head coach of the high school Cross Country program.
Robots milking cows
March 6, 2020 | The Neighbor
Rick Scheer talks about how his dairy uses robots to milk their cows at Scheer's Dairy Farm in New Haven, Mo. on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Four generations of Scheers have worked at the farm that was founded in 1897. The dairy farm was the first in the state of Missouri to begin using robots to milk the cows in 2011.
A.I. may be answer to dairy farmer woes
March 6, 2020 | WXOW 19
West Salem, Wis (WXOW) - As dairy farmers fight to survive, many are finding an edge in technology. Artificial intelligence and robotics are quickly changing the landscape of an industry in crisis.
Wisconsin farmers, hit with a flurry of punches, seek long-term solutions
March 6, 2020 | Post Crescent
As Wisconsin farmers plant crops this spring, perched in the cabs of big tractors rolling through the fields, many will breathe a sigh of relief that they’re still in the driver's seat.
Local dairy farmers use robotics to modernize their operations
February 28, 2020 | LNP | LancasterOnline
Dairy farmers use innovative technology like robotics to modernize and maximize efficiency. Lewis and Amy Horning discuss the dairy business and new technology.
Vermont Farm Show Focuses on State’s Dairy Industry
February 13, 2020 | Lancaster Farming
ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. — Charlie Somers was 6 years old when he went to his first Vermont Farm Show. He is 56 now, but he still goes to the farm show annually with his mother Janice, brother Sean and Sean’s family. They live in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The farm show is in Essex Junction — more than an hour away.
Connecterra teams up with Lely on data sharing
February 13, 2020 | Dairy Business
Unlocking data from Lely’s T4C (Time for Cows) into Connecterra’s IDA platform will push for a more connected dairy industry that supports farmers in their decision-making.
What type of investment should dairy producers consider making to their milking systems this year?
February 7, 2020 | Progressive Dairy
For most dairies, profits found in 2020 will likely be used to pay back debt accrued in recent years. Financial advisers also suggest using profits to grow the business or make it more efficient. Since the milking system is the most heavily used equipment on the farm, it could be an area worthy of added investment.
How to Get Started with a Healthy Dairy
February 4, 2020 | Successful Farming
Around 35% of milk now comes from larger farms of more than 2,500 cows, with around 45% coming from small farms with less than 1,000 cows.
Robotic transition-time tracked
February 3, 2020 | Agri-View
Another robotic-milking system was installed in fall in western Pennsylvania. Here are some notes on the initial transition from a conventional herringbone parlor to a single robot. The robot was retrofitted into a freestall barn originally built in 1996.
Cow College tour highlights cutting-edge diverse dairy operations
January 29, 2020 | Wisconsin State Farmer
WAUPACA COUNTY – Despite the recent challenges to Wisconsin’s dairy industry, family farms continue to invest in the future of dairying.
Editorial advisers: One Thing
January 17, 2020 | Progressive Dairy
Lynda Foster Testimonial: If I could wake up tomorrow and know everything there is to know about using, understanding and analyzing our Lely Robot’s T4C software program, I would be very happy. There is so much data available now on each cow and the whole herd that it’s mind-boggling.
When transitioning to robots, expect the unexpected
January 17, 2020 | American Agriculturist
Editor’s note: Andrew Sandeen, a Penn State Extension dairy educator, spent several days this fall on a small dairy farm in Indiana County documenting the farm’s transition to a robotic setup. This article is a first-hand account of his visit and is meant to be an educational resource for farmers interested in transitioning to a robotic dairy setup.
Hybrid operation leads to no debt
January 15, 2020 | Agupdate.com
GREEN BAY – Despite the mindset that farming is a risky occupation, Andy Jaworski of Green Bay was always attracted to the possibility he could make a living as a farmer. At 35 years of age he’s in the rare position of being five milk checks away from paying off his debt.
Robots will soon milk cows at Ohio dairy farm in family since 1876
January 12, 2020 | The Columbus Dispatch
GREEN BAY – FRESNO — Bill Daugherty rises at 3 a.m. to start milking 132 cows on the farm that has been in his family since 1876.
Robot installations expand in scope
December 15, 2019 | Agupdate.com
Installations of robotic-milking systems remain strong. And the systems are growing bigger, says Doug Reinemann, a professor in biological-systems engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A few years ago he would see farms installing two robots; now some large farms are installing as many as a dozen.
Southwest Dairy Day spotlights stationary milking robots
November 25, 2019 | High Plains Journal
The Southwest Dairy Day was recently held at T&K Dairy, owned by the Collier family of Snyder, Texas, and the program emphasized automatic milking systems, rumination collars, robotic feed pushers, ventilation and manure management.
Barre dairy farm is highlighted for energy efficiency
October 28, 2019 | Orleanshub.com
Mike Van Lieshout on Friday leads a tour of the family’s dairy farm on Route 98 in Barre. About 50 people from Western New York attended the tour which included representatives from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, National Grid, and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Why we chose robots: Jenlar Holsteins and Brown Swiss
October 18, 2019 | Progressivedairy.com
Jenlar Holsteins and Brown Swiss, located near Chilton, Wisconsin, is home to 140 cows, of which 80% are Holsteins and 20% are Brown Swiss. Larry’s parents, Andy and Joan Meyer, originally bought the farm and began dairying in 1970. Together, Larry and Jennifer began growing their own herd within his parents’ facility, starting with a few animals from Jennifer’s home farm and investments in some high-end embryos and live cattle. Meanwhile, the couple worked off-farm jobs, with Larry in animal health sales and Jennifer as a dairy cattle nutritionist.
#FridaysOnTheFarm - the Sunderland Seven
September 27, 2019 | Farmers.gov
The Sunderlands decided to change the way they work instead of shutting down. They looked to technology to help solve the labor shortage and keep their farm alive while preserving the land. Three years ago, they made the switch and installed four computer-assisted, precision-engineered robotic milking machines to milk their cows. They also built a state-of-the-art, free-stall barn that was designed for maximum ventilation and cow comfort.
Lely kicks off the 2019 Future of Dairy Scholarship Program
September 20, 2019 | Ag Daily
College students pursuing their career in agriculture are always on the look out for scholarships to help pay for college tuition. Lely North America is presenting the Future of Dairy Scholarship Program for the fourth year. Five qualified students residing in either Canada or the United States are chosen annually to receive a one-year, $1,000 scholarship.
Lely North America Announces Leadership Change
September 9, 2019 | Hoard's Dairyman
Lely International and Lely North America are pleased to announce that Chad Huyser has been named Regional Director, Lely International and President, Lely North America. Huyser will lead all of Lely's North American efforts and serve as one of five Lely Regional Directors worldwide.
Adding automation to a dairy farm
August 2, 2019 | Successful Farming
Growing with innovation and technology is how Takes Dairy near Ely, Iowa, plans to continue into the future. After winning Lely's The Way To Dairy Award, they are looking forward to transitioning to robotics as they add Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking systems and a Lely Vector automatic feeding system.
Smart barns on the rise
July 28, 2019 | Farm Week Now
Dairy farmers facing slim margins, and a tight labor force in some areas, are turning to robotics as an answer on a growing number of farms. Steve Sweet, senior farm management support for Lely, reported sales of the company’s Astronaut milking robot surpassed 40,000 since the commercial launch of the Astronaut in 1995.
Robots solved labor issues, improved efficiencies at Green Waves Farm
July 19, 2019 | Progressive Dairy
The addition of automated milking at Green Waves Farm was spurred by concerns over labor and is now acclaimed for the efficiency it has brought. The automated milking systems don’t overmilk the cows, which Mark says is a big help with somatic cell count (SCC) and milk quality. They also make treatment decisions based on computer reports even if mastitis isn’t showing on CMT.
Nigh family invests in technology on Viroqua farm
July 18, 2019 | Wisconsin State Farmer
On June 13, 2016, the Nighs had to move their cows to a neighboring farm when their facility burned. While the fire was detrimental, it opened a new door. After considering age and labor concerns, the Nighs decided to install a Lely robotic milking system.
Robots keep production humming at Declo robotic dairy
June 28, 2019 | Idaho State Journal
Heglar Creek is one of roughly a half dozen robotic dairies that have opened in the state since the first facility went live in Elba in 2015. The partners in the new, high-tech operation have already discovered there are some areas in which people can't compare with machines.
The future of health could be 'udderly' amazing
May 16, 2019 | Deloitte
When it comes to the future of health, it seems that cows (yes, cows!) might be a couple hoof-steps ahead of people. Fergal and Aisling have 70+ cows, a bull named Billy, and a robotic system that lets cows milk themselves…day or night. Each cow wears a radio-frequency identification (RFID)-equipped collar that triggers the milking station’s metal gate to swing open whenever she is ready to be milked.
Robots revolutionize local dairy industry
May 7, 2019 | Local News 8
There have been a number of science fiction movies where robots take over the world. That hasn’t happened yet, but robots are taking over parts of the dairy industry with dramatic results. Nestled in the hills of Franklin, Idaho is the Hobbs Dairy Circle 7 Ranch. Owner Troy Hobbs has seen lots of technological advancements in the industry since he was a kid on this farm. Last year he invested in the most advanced technology yet -- robots.
Pros and cons of four different robot configurations
March 25, 2019 | Progressive Dairymen
Whether you are building a new barn or retrofitting an existing structure, deciding on the proper robot layout is a critical yet enjoyable process. There are several different options and configurations to select from, but it is important the design you choose aligns with your long-term goals and management strategies.
Robotics help dairies more closely monitor cows, address labor shortage
March 14, 2019 | MagicValley.com
Heglar Creek Dairy’s robotic barn has been up and running for three months, and the cows are already milking it for all it’s worth. They check in regularly with the Lely Astronaut milking robot, which scans their collars and dispenses treats. The dairy cows lean against automated back-scratching brushes for stress relief. And they even sleep on water beds in a climate-controlled barn. It’s one of only two dairies of its kind in southern Idaho, but the idea is catching on.
Making grazing work with robots
March 11, 2019 | Progressive Dairyman
As automated and voluntary milking systems, more commonly referred to as robots, surge in popularity, so does the interest in using such technology in a grazing-based dairy operation. Howard Straub III, manager of the Pasture Dairy Center at Michigan State University, shared his experiences and insights on managing pastures with cows in an automated milking system in a January webinar presented by Penn State Extension’s Dairy Grazing Management Guide.
Henschel’s new robotic barn saves labor, improves family quality of life
February 13, 2019 | Wisconsin State Farmer
Wisconsin dairy farmers are well known for their resilience and perseverance in overcoming challenges and even adversity. Jeff and Diana Henschel, who farm in central Waupaca County, have persevered despite two barn fires in 2002, to modernize and expand their operation that now includes a new state-of-the-art robotic milking barn.
Robots bring beneficial cost savings to Majestic Crossing Dairy
February 5, 2019 | Progressive Dairymen
Traditionally, success for automated milking has been measured by increased milk and reduced labor. One full year after starting up robots, Majestic Crossing Dairy is finding additional value in this investment through savings in hoof trimming, mastitis treatments and water use.