Most Advanced Milking Robots Gear Up in NZ

NEW ZEALAND - Lely NZ has sold four Astronaut A3 milking robots to an innovative agribusiness company in Mid Canterbury, New Zealand. This purchase - by Winslow Ltd, a subsidiary of the Carr Agricultural Group - heralds the commercial launch of the most advanced automated milking system in New Zealand.
calendar icon 25 September 2008
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The four milking robots will be sited on an existing 90 hectare livestock and arable farm block in Lismore, Ashburton owned by the Carr Agricultural Group and managed by Ryan Carr. When in full operation, the farm will milk 360 cows under a split calving system milking 12 months per year.


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"The introduction of the Lely Astronaut robotic milking system in New Zealand is a new challenge, that we are eager to address."
Peter Vis, Managing Director of Lely New Zealand.

Winslow general manager Craig Carr said the purchase of the robots was an innovated and proactive solution to address national issues within the dairy industry, including labour, animal health and lifestyle opportunities for owner operators, along with providing Winslow's scientists and feed specialists the ability to conduct on farm dairy research trials.

Unemployment levels are low in New Zealand so the output and consistency of Lely's milking robot (24 hours a day/seven days a week) are major benefits for dairy farmers who are looking for the most consistent and reliable "milker", says Peter Vis, Managing Director of Lely New Zealand.

The Lely Astronaut milking robot is well suited to pasture grazing farms due to its intelligent technology. Based upon extensive experience gained in countries such as Australia and Ireland, Lely has ensured optimum conditions for putting cows out to pasture in combination with robotic milking. The technology of the newest generation of Astronaut milking robots, featuring enhanced flexibility and intelligent options, has ensured exceptionally effective and economical methods of pasture grazing.

"The Grazeway selection box is highly flexible and can therefore meet local conditions. However, for us at Lely, the introduction of the Lely Astronaut robotic milking system in New Zealand is a new challenge, that we are eager to address. This major dairy equipment project is sure to boost our current activities in New Zealand while also strengthening Lely's reputation as a leading and innovation-driven provider of cutting-edge technology for dairy farmers all over the world".

Winslow and Lely New Zealand will also be working closely with Dexcel Ltd, the New Zealand dairy farmer owned research, development, education and extension organisation, who will be involved in the planning and will monitor the farm operation to provide regular and key messages to New Zealand dairy farmers. Dr Eric Hillerton, General Manager of Research said this is an extremely exciting time for the NZ dairy industry and an opportunity that Dexcel are delighted to be involved with.

The Installation of the 4 Astronaut A3 milking robots is scheduled for April 2008 in time for autumn milking.

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