Finnmilk uses DeLaval AMR for milk production

Finnish dairy farm Finnmilk has started milk production with DeLaval AMR (automated milking rotary) to increase output.

The farm has been further equipped with a DeLaval silo cooling tank and a barn designed for improved animal welfare.

The dairy farm also installed several DeLaval VMS in 2003. The farm produces an average of more than 10,000kg of milk and has approximately 600 cows.

One of the farm’s owner Ari Teppo said: "We did not need convincing of the benefits of robotic milking as we have been advocates of that since our DeLaval VMS (voluntary milking system)installations in 2003.

"We wanted to take a key step forward in keeping labour costs low, even for a herd size larger than 300. We explored different options and the alternative was a 50-bail parallel rotary.

"For that system one would need a labour force of around four to six persons more, and that really was not an option for us. Another big plus for us was our longstanding relationship with DeLaval. They really understand us and our needs."

Finnmilk pays particular attention to cow comfort and has incorporated aftermarket products, including rubber covered floors, well designed cubicles, large water troughs and swinging cow brushes in each area to improve the wellbeing of the cows, activating rumination and increasing resting time.

DeLaval AMR business development manager Robert Jensen said: "We are very pleased that Finnmilk is now up and running. During the last few months, we have noticed an increased interest for our DeLaval AMR, in particular from Germany, Scandinavia, and Southern Europe but also from countries like Japan and Australia.

"This shows that our AMR is gaining traction across the globe as opposed to a few select countries, which was the case in the past."

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Image: DeLaval’s automated milking rotary at Finnmilk dairy farm. Photo: courtesy of DeLaval.