Project Summary: Pioneers in the robotic industry
Located in Albany, MN, this dairy is a 3-generation farm, with the promise of becoming 4-generation! An early pioneer in the robotic milking area, they began building a new barn in 2011 and started milking in January of 2012. Previous barn: Double 7 Herringbone (147 free-stall).
The Groetsch family at Groetsch Dairy in Albany, MN, own a 3rd-generation dairy farm. An early pioneer in the robotic milking
arena, they retrofitted their Double 7 Herringbone parlor with 4 Lely
A3 milking robots, a Juno feed pusher, 4 Luna cattle brushes, ventilation and sprinkler system, and a manure shuttle scraper and pump.
Lisa said of their conversion, “People ask, ‘Would you do it again?’ The answer is yes! We have attained a better tank average, better cow health, a satisfying and flexible workplace for our crew, and a lifestyle and a career our children would consider for their future.”
Goals:
- Milk 3x per day without adding labor
- Expand (earlier barn was overcrowded)
- Enlarge the manure pit
2011-2012, built new free-stall barn with:
- 4 Lely A3-Next Robots
- Lely Juno Feed Pusher
- 4 Lely Luna Cow Brushes
- Sand Bedding
- Ventilation & Sprinkler System
- Manure shuttle scraper & pump
Results:
- Added cows
- More data on cows
- Increased milk production per cow
- Improved herd health
- Calmer cows
- More family time; flexibility in schedule