At Rødaagaard near Rødekro, dairy cows are milked outdoors twice a day using a Dairymaster Mobistar milking system. Farmer Martijn Berends does not miss the three red milking robots that once operated inside the barn.
At his farm in Klovtoft, Martijn Berends replaced robotic milking with a Dairymaster milking parlour. Twice daily, the cows are guided out of the barn to the outdoor milking setup. According to Martijn, the solution has resulted in greater satisfaction, improved milk quality and more freedom in daily operations.
“The milking parlour is cheaper to operate than the robots. It has improved milking technique significantly, and I now have much better control over milk quality,” he explains.
Lower somatic cell count and reduced energy use
After a few adjustments, the somatic cell count improved dramatically, dropping from 220,000 to 110,000, resulting in higher milk yield. Martijn also uses chemicals and teat dip supplied by Milcotec, which he believes have contributed positively to the improved milk quality.
At the same time, energy consumption has been significantly reduced. Martijn Berends saves between DKK 8,000 and 10,000 per month on electricity alone.
“The milking parlour helps keep costs down in several ways. Why expand buildings or invest in new construction when the milking parlour can be placed outdoors?” he says.
Leasing keeps costs flexible
The milking parlour and separation pen have been leased from Milcotec for three years, with the option to purchase after the lease period. Milcotec also assisted by purchasing and reselling the three former milking robots, helping further reduce costs.
Martijn has since decided to expand the milking setup and has ordered a cow driver, which will also be leased through Milcotec. Leasing the equipment has provided financial flexibility while supporting ongoing development of the farm.
More freedom and higher job satisfaction
Martijn Berends has been using the outdoor milking system since February and is highly satisfied with the solution.
“Even though we milk manually twice a day and do it outdoors, I experience much greater freedom and job satisfaction with Dairymaster. It’s very pleasant in summer and a bit colder in winter, but you get used to that,” he says.
Future plans at Rødaagaard
Martijn and his wife Melissa milk the cows in the morning, while their Ukrainian employee Sasha handles the afternoon milking of just over 200 dairy cows. Each milking session takes approximately two and a half hours.
The Berends family moved from the Netherlands to Denmark in 2013 and purchased Rødaagaard in 2014. Long-term plans include expanding the herd by another 100 cows. Today, the farm has 260 cows and calves, along with 160 heifers.
In addition, the farm manages 114 hectares of land growing maize, grass and fodder beets.
Want to reduce milking costs and improve milk quality with a flexible milking setup?
Contact Milcotec to learn more about Dairymaster Mobistar, leasing options and the right solution for your farm.
🚜 Machines
Gerth Petersen – 📱 +45 20258260 – ✉️ gerth@milcotec.com
🔧 Spare parts
Anne Lang Krogh – 📱 +45 23354095 – ✉️ anne@milcotec.com
