Producers are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to enhance productivity and efficiency. Implementing new technologies in dairy farming requires a careful and thoughtful approach. The decision to upgrade a parlor is not made lightly. Here’s a peek into one operation’s journey toward increased dairy productivity and what was learned along the way.
A Robotic Leap Forward
Head south to Stephenville, Texas, and Roeland Stoker of Ned-Tex Dairy says they got to a point where they felt they had maxed out efficiency with their previous double 15-parallel barn.
“Our initial goals were to expand our herd without having to increase labor and to utilize the space we currently had,” he says.
They retrofitted their operation in June 2021 to incorporate 12 Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking systems. Two years later they added three more to complete their barn.
“We were very interested in utilizing milking robots for large herds in Texas. We would have to hire more staff dedicated to milking if we were to expand our herd, which is getting harder and harder to find good people to effectively milk cows,” Stoker says. “The robot never calls in sick or oversleeps for their shift. Each cow goes through the same SOP for milk prep, harvesting and post treatment 24/7 365.”
Being immigrants from the Netherlands, Stoker’s parents, Roel and Deanne, were very familiar with the Lely brand.
“One of our local dairy service providers Thomson Services became a dealer for Lely and installed robots in two different dairies before installing ours,” he says.
Benefits of Robotic Milking Systems
In return, Stoker says they have increased milk production since installing robots.
“We have always been a high producing herd, but the robots help our cows achieve higher and more sustained peaks with the customized feed tables for each individual cow based on her milk production. With the NEDAP collars, we are able to more quickly identify heat cycles and health concerns, so shortening that response time is so valuable. Our conception and preg rates have steadily increased over the last four years,” he shares.
Stoker notes he handles most of the maintenance himself, sharing that his Lely dealer offers help for their monthly, quarterly and yearly maintenance.
“I try to do most of the work I can, so that I can better understand the equipment,” he says.
Tradition and Innovation
Ned-Tex Dairy currently still milks 100 cows in a conventional parlor.
“It has been beneficial to have both systems on site to help us be efficient and effective for our entire herd,” he says. “Some cows’ milk speed or udder profile are not ideal for robot milking, but they still are great cows for your herd. Also, some cows’ udder profile changes the later they are in their lactation.”
When it comes to the future, Ned-Tex Dairy plans to expand their herd from within.
“With the reduced stress on our herd, we anticipate our replacement ratio to be offset an extra year over time,” Stoker shares. “Pairing that with our increased efficiency in reproduction, we can grow the ideal herd in size and genetics for our facility.”
Ned-Tex Dairy’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of technology in agriculture, paving the way for others to follow. Embracing innovation not only serves immediate productivity goals but sets a foundation for sustainable growth in the future.
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