Friday, 03 October 2014 18:24

Super farm starts production

Written by Sudesh Kissun

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

The world's biggest robotic dairy farm under one roof has started production in South Canterbury.

The Van Leeuwen Group- owned by Aad and Wilma van Leeuwen – has spent $22 million on the farm - it will milk 1500 cows and operate 24 DeLaval robots.

Production started last month; half of the barn is in operation with 12 robots. Contractors are working on installing the remaining 12 DeLaval robots.

Aad van Leeuwen expects the barn to be fully operational by Christmas.

Feed bunkers on the side of the barn can hold 4.5 million kg of dry matter.

Milk production is expected to top 1.2 million kgMS. Van Leeuwen expects production per cow to top 750kg.

* Read the full story in Dairy News October 13th issue.

More like this

ODH ordeal over

ODH ordeal over

OPINION: The demise of Organic Dairy Hub is official.

EU processors eye more cheese, powder exports

EU processors eye more cheese, powder exports

European milk processors are eyeing more cheese and milk powder exports into South America following a landmark trade agreement signed last month.

Ready to walk the talk

DairyNZ's Kirsty Verhoek ‘walks the talk’, balancing her interests in animal welfare, agricultural science and innovative dairy farming.

Dairy earnings bounce back

"We at Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and you at Dairy News said over six months ago that the dairy industry would bounce back, and it has done so with interest.”

Industry leader not afraid to break the mould

North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson is not afraid to break the mould when it comes to finding farming systems that work for him.

Popular Reads

Telescopic front-end loader

An interesting concept emerged at the recent EIMA show in Italy, where Italian company Aries - a front linkage manufacturer -…

Fair legislation requires good process

OPINION: Just before Christmas, Government introduced a Gene Technology Bill that will have a big impact on farmers, our industry and…

Major shakeup for the NZ science system

The government has announced a major restructuring of the country's seven crown research institutes (CRIs), which will see them merged…

Celebrations at Muller Station

More than 260 people gathered at Muller Station in Marlborough recently to celebrate the 2024 Westpac + OsGro Marlborough Farmer…

Growing farmer interest in self-shedding sheep

With low wool prices, farmer interest in the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep continues to grow.

Featured

Forum to discuss Angus genetics and beef production

The Neogen World Angus Forum, a major event in global Angus beef industry, is set to return in 2025.

Animal welfare drives scientist’s research

Whatever an animal is raised for, it deserves a good life — and just as importantly, a “good death”.

‘Nanobubble’ trial trims irrigation water usage

North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson, is enjoying a huge reduction in irrigation water use after converting a pivot irrigator to drag perforated drip tubes across the ground instead of elevated sprinkler heads.

Editorial: Elusive India FTA

OPINION: Without doubt, a priority of the Government this year will be to gain traction on the elusive free trade deal with India.

Sport star to talk at expo

Rugby league legend Tawera Nikau is set to inspire, celebrate and entertain at the East Coast Farming Expo's very popular Property Broker's Evening Muster.

Fonterra announces electrification plans

Fonterra has announced $15 million in investments in electrification projects across the North Island over the next 18 months.

National

App for smarter decisions

A new app designed to simplify forage planning and boost farm productivity has been launched.

A career riding waves of many changes

Marise James describes her 38-year career as a rural and farmer advisor as one that has ridden the waves of…

Banks urged to withdraw from alliance

Farmers are calling for Kiwi banks and their overseas parent companies need to follow the lead of America's six biggest…

Farmers faring well amid summer heat

Dairy farmers are faring well despite data showing above average temperatures for most of the country.

Processors take Canada to task

The Canadian government's utter disdain for international trade rules has come under fire yet again.

Machinery & Products

Kuhn bags tech award

French company KUHN has won a EIMA Technical Innovation Award for its Baler Automation Technology.

New parts distribution centre for Agco

Agco Corporation has unveiled plans to build a new Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) at Amnéville (Les Portes de l’Orne) on…

Auto feeding system keeps cows well fed in paddocks

Dutch manufacturer Hanskamp, perhaps best known for its Cow Toilet that collects urine, has developed a mobile unit to automatically…

Telescopic front-end loader

An interesting concept emerged at the recent EIMA show in Italy, where Italian company Aries - a front linkage manufacturer -…

AI-powered robotic feed pusher

While most New Zealand farmers operate with animals at pasture all year round, unlike their European counterparts, several operations in…

» Latest Print Issues Online

dairynewscover

ruralnewscover

winegrowercover

Milking It

'Bee wear' Simeon

OPINION: A keen pair of eyes wandering down the main street of the hub of the Horowhenua, Levin recently came…

ODH ordeal over

OPINION: The demise of Organic Dairy Hub is official.

» eNewsletter