increase font size
Lely Exos feeds fresh grass to cows in a barn.
Robotic milking specialist Lely has announced that Exos, a fully autonomous vehicle for harvesting and feeding fresh grass, will be commercially available to Dutch dairy farms from the middle of 2024.
Having been under development for around a decade, Lely first mentioned the vehicle in late 2020, but more recently talked about extensive testing on 13 Dutch farms, then confirming that these units will be joined by further seven pre-production systems before the end of this year.
Initially only available for purchase by Dutch dairy farmers, there will be a wider rollout to grass growing regions in neighbouring countries sometime in the future. Currently, the company is targeting farms with around 150 cows with a minimum of 40ha of grassland, although the autonomous vehicle has also been evaluated on farms with up to 350 animals.
Weighing around 3.4t and operating at speeds of 3-4km/h, a reciprocating cutter-bar with a low power demand offers a 2.0m working, and overall width of 2.8m. The machine’s bunker holds about 1.0t of fresh grass, that when harvested can be delivered to the right, left, or both sides. A front safety bumper is part of the standard spec, as are front and rear safety cameras. Outdoor navigation is via GPS, while ultrasonic sensors take over when the machine is operated indoors.
 |
|---|
|
Lely Exos harvesting grass which will then be delivered by the robots to cows in the barn. |
Autonomous fresh grass harvesting and feeding means fresh grass can be delivered to the animals on a 24-7 basis, without any increase in labour requirements. Thanks to the low weight of only 3400 kg and 500mm wide low-pressure tyres, the machine can mow from early spring until late autumn, utilising individual wheel drive and steering systems to prevent slip and friction when driving or cornering.
As well as harvesting fresh material, Lely Exos can also apply liquid fertiliser in the same process, via 10 outlets located directly behind the mowing unit.
In addition to typical liquid fertilisers, the circular fertilizer from the N-capture of the Lely Sphere-system is also possible, allowing the precise administration and discharge of liquids from the Lely Sphere to help make dairy farming circular.
Electricity to power the vehicle is supplied by a 400v on-board battery. All four wheels have individual electric motors the Exos runs on 520/50R17 tyres (0.8 bar pressure).
Global tyre manufacturer Michelin has extended its agricultural trailer tyre range, with the introduction of its new WorkxBib series, designed for tipping trailers, slurry tankers and manure spreaders.
Following the record-breaking success of its hydrogen-powered Hydromax, JCB is ramping up its investment in the business, key to the first major change at the executive level of the business, with George Bamford stepping up to the post of joint chairman, alongside his father Lord Bamford.
During calf rearing, logistics can play an important role in getting the job done quickly and efficiently.
Massey Ferguson has announced a strategic supply partnership with International Tractors Limited (ITL), a manufacturer of low-horsepower and compact tractors, with recognised brands such as Sonalika and Sollis, to expand its portfolio with a new tractor range.
With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
Farmlands has reported higher operating earnings and a profit before income tax of $4.5 million, up 118.9%, for the year ended 30 June 2026.
AgriZeroNZ has invested a further NZ$17.7 million in methane vaccine developer ArkeaBio and NZ$5.1 million in BioLumic, a New Zealand-founded company that uses ultraviolet light to develop low-emissions pasture..
Good news for Fonterra farmers. The co-op has raised this season’s farmgate milk price mid-point by 25c to $9.75/kgMS.
OPINION: Political parties are getting plenty of advice and recommendations from sector groups as the election approaches.
In farming there are external factors that can influence behaviour of a whole herd, such as a bad weather event, triggering false positive heat detections or health attentions.
For Canterbury dairy farmer Cameron Henderson, supporting Meet the Need comes down to a simple question: how can the success of New Zealand farming benefit more than just those within the industry?
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.
