UK Dairy Day debut for milking robot
DeLaval is exhibiting it’s new VMS V300 milking robot at UK Dairy Day for the first time. The latest robot features a larger box to accommodate a wider range of cow breeds and sizes, and for the first time it is equipped with DeLaval’s Flow-Responsive Milking technology.
“Flow-Responsive Milking, combined with robot milking efficiency, provides a better milking experience for the cow and can reduce each milking by up to 40 seconds, making it possible to milk more cows with fewer robots,” says DeLaval’s Ben Thompson.
The new flow responsive milking function of the robot has been announced as a finalist in the UK Dairy Day new product competition. As one of the ten shortlisted, it will be judged at 9:00am during the event on Wednesday 10th September.
“It is great to have our technology recognised by the panel at UK Dairy Day and we are keeping everything crossed in the build up to the event. Flow-Responsive Milking is a standard feature on the new VMS V300 and, before the end of 2025, it will also be made available to existing VMS V300 robots as a retrofit option,” says Mr Thompson.
DeLaval’s stand will also include the OptiDuo feed refreshing robot. The OptiDuo has become popular with farms looking to improve forage intake without tying up additional labour and machinery.
“OptiDuo is a cost-effective way to keep on top of forage and make sure cows have the optimum amount of feed available 24 hours a day. We have seen an increase in demand following the recent grants which offered a generous contribution towards technology that can help drive productivity like the OptiDuo,” adds Mr Thompson.
Continuing the automated feeding approach, DeLaval will also have an OptiWagon on show at UK Dairy Day. The self-guided, self-propelled robotic feeding wagon was added to the Optimat automatic feed preparation system in 2024 to provide farms with a completely automated feeding concept.
“The OptiWagon can operate in one or more sheds along pre-determined routes as an alternative to overhead rail-mounted dispensers. By automating feeding it gives valuable time back to farms that will help to reduce costs and boost productivity,” says Mr Thompson.
In an effort to raise money for charity, DeLaval will also have a special, pink cow brush on show. The brush has been manufactured to raise awareness of breast cancer and raise money for charity. There will also be a prize draw to win a yellow cow brush on DeLaval’s stand, H143 in Hall 1.
