Ferme Brault Opts for Precision Dairy Farming

Management styles vary from farm to farm, but being a “micro”-cow manager is reserved for only a few unique dairy producers.

Brothers Sylvain and Christian Brault entered a new level of farm oversight after installing four DeLaval VMS™ milking systems in November of 2017. What makes Ferme Brault’s robotic operation unique is its state-of-the-art farm management solutions.

The Brault’s 200 milking Holsteins enter a VMS unit approximately three times a day to be milked. It’s in the machine where the magic happens! DeLaval Herd Navigator™ collects milk samples and sends them to the analyzer just a few feet away, measuring hormone levels for reproduction, mastitis and ketosis. The farm also has a DeLaval body condition scoring BCS system with two cameras featuring proprietary software to monitor changes in each animal.

Orchestrating all of the information coming in is DeLaval DelPro™ – our farm management operating platform. “It’s easier to make sound decisions with the data,” said Sylvain Brault. “It’s the same data from one machine to another. It takes all of the emotions out so we make smarter decisions.”

He also noted other advantages of DeLaval BCS. “We know our cows much better and from another angle. The entire industry will benefit from the availability of this type of data.” 

As four-generation dairy producers, the Brault brothers are excited about what the new technology means for the future of their farm. “It’s fun to work here,” said Christian Brault. “Our cows are safe and comfortable and so are the humans that work and visit here. The next generation is also excited to work on the farm.”

Ferme Brault also uses automated technology to feed its calves with a DeLaval calf feeder CF1000S unit.