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Lely Astronaut A5 milking cows on a NZ farm.
Cows benefit from robotic milking. They are more relaxed, healthier, and reward farmers with more milk.
According to Lely, this is because the system fits much better with their needs while freeing up farmers’ time to give true attention to cows. It is simply the best system for milking cows.
The cow is the most decisive factor in the performance of any milking system. Understanding cows and treating each cow in the best way is what the Astronaut is all about, Lely says.
It says the Astronaut offers the easiest access and the most cow-friendly box to make sure a cow likes to visit the robot.
“The brushes ensure the best pre-treatment and stimulation, while the milking process is tailored to each quarter. The management system automatically arranges ideal milking intervals. This ensures good udder health and milk yield.
“Vital cow and milk data is offered as valuable information to allow farmers to take action at the earliest possible stages.
From I-flow to the most accurate hybrid arm from all sensors close to the udder to adaptive pulsating the Astronaut uses every split second to reduce box time and to optimise its output.
“A quick view during milking for the cow’s info or fast and easy first milkings make the Lely Astronaut easier to use and understand than ever before.
Lely has focused on meeting users’ demands with significant changes to the control panel and functionalities. The system offers step-bystep simple instructions with carefully considered menus and clear icons.”
Maximising benefits and minimizing costs Reducing labour by eliminating repetitive tasks, making farmers more flexible with their time and increasing milk yields and cow health are the recognized and proven benefits of automating the milking process.
Lely now offers these benefits at a steady total cost per litre that is as low as possible.
Lely says with the new hybrid robot arm, it has managed to reduce energy consumption by as much as 20%. The system’s water consumption has also been lowered, compared to the volumes used by conventional milking systems.
Hybrid Arm
The hybrid arm of the Astronaut A5 combines the advantages of electrically driven movements with the softness and the power of air.
A huge pneumatic cylinder carries the weight of the arm using virtually no air while electrical components move the arm with great accuracy.
The air in the system balances the heavy load of the arm and buffers cow kicks, protecting the electrical system.
Cow-friendly
Energy-friendly
User-friendly
While feeding dairy animals in New Zealand is largely centred around feed trailers, mixer wagons or baleage, one wonders whether there is a place for robotic feeders, particularly in South Island locations, where cows are housed during winter or full time.
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