increase font size
Artists impression of the remodelled Hamra Farm.
Milking and technology specialist DeLaval has begun an 18,000m² rebuild at its Hamra Farm in Sweden.
The upgrade and investment are centred around more modern and sustainable dairy production, including new barns, four new automatic milking robots, DeLaval VMS V300, and more digital solutions to improve animal health, quality, and efficiency.
The cows at Hamra produce an average of 12,200kg energy corrected milk (ECM) per cow, per year, and with this new investment, DeLaval hopes to increase that number even further. The company says that Hamra Farm has always promoted animal welfare and high quality as two of its main operating criteria.
Johan Bjurevall, managing director at Hamra Farm says it has always had a big focus on animals and their well-being.
“That is part of our philosophy – good animal husbandry and long-term planning often result in good yield. We are incredibly happy with the new possibilities the investment gives us.
“To be part of planning and building such a modern farm with a longterm focus is fantastic.”
The investment means doubling the number of cows, which the company said it has carefully planned during the past few years. The new barns will house 550 dairy cows and 500 young stock of the Swedish red cattle breed and Holsteins. In addition to the farm being run as a commercial dairy operation, it is also used as a test facility where DeLaval products are tested and developed, alongside being a demonstration farm for visiting customers.
DeLaval says the investment is being made to continue the development of modern and sustainable milk production, while continuously finding new and innovative solutions for more sustainability, with a high focus on animal health.
This is hoped to be achieved with the help of automatic solutions, more digital systems that will give the farmers important information at the right time, and good animal knowledge and advice.
The plan is to have the first animals move in at the beginning of 2024.
Released in New Zealand earlier in the year, the new Fendt 600 Vario series, serving the 150-200hp category, is a compact and manoeuvrable 4-cylinder tractor with high performance and payload, at a low power-to-weight ratio.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Wrapped bales arrived in the 1980s offering a viable alternative to clamp silage, and they remain a solution for those not wishing to invest in expensive clamps – a solution for smaller farms and a means to clearing excess grass at the end of the season.
Celebrating 50 years of being in business in 2025 and specialising in the design and manufacture of an extensive range for the rural industries, Feilding-based McKee Plastics was at Fieldays highlighting a range of feeding products.
John Deere have recently announced upgrades to its round baler offerings, with all models of this latest generation equipped with advanced ISOBUS capabilities, allowing them to be fully integrated into the John Deere Operations Center.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.
