The Urban Milkshuttle milk feeding trolley has proven to be one of the best investments made at Lergrav near Bøvlingbjerg in north-western Denmark. According to beef calf producer Kim Pedersen, the system ensures consistent milk quality, correct temperature and significant physical relief in daily work.
“A major advantage of the Urban Milkshuttle is that it mixes milk replacer completely evenly and keeps it at a constant temperature of 40–42°C. This prevents digestive issues and diarrhoea in calves,” explains Kim Pedersen.
The 250-litre Urban Milkshuttle was purchased at the turn of the year and is already an essential part of daily routines.
From dairy cows to beef calves
For many years, Lergrav operated with 120 dairy cows. Today, the dairy herd is being phased out, with only 44 cows remaining, while the farm is transitioning into beef calf production.
So far, 200 calves have been purchased, with a long-term goal of producing around 400 beef calves per year.
“We buy calves at 2–4 weeks of age from three different herds and collect them ourselves. The calves are fed milk until they are a couple of months old,” says Kim Pedersen.
Consistent mixing and correct temperature
One of the key benefits of the Urban Milkshuttle is its ability to ensure completely uniform mixing of milk replacer. The machine is set to mix for 20 seconds every minute, keeping the milk constantly blended and ready for feeding.
Equally important is the stable feeding temperature.
“The milk replacer is kept at a constant 40–42°C. The result is healthy calves with good digestion and no diarrhoea. Both milk that is too hot or too cold can cause digestive problems,” Kim Pedersen explains.
The Milkshuttle is connected to a power outlet and features its own heating system. The heating element is placed in water, preventing the milk from burning at the bottom of the tank.
Reduced physical strain and efficient feeding
The milk feeding trolley can be set to dispense three predefined feeding volumes, depending on the number of calves. Feeding is done simply by pressing a button on the milk gun.
Physical workload is further reduced by the trolley’s self-propelled drive on two wheels.
“We don’t need to use any physical force to move it. The Milkshuttle pulls itself, no matter where we are feeding,” says Kim Pedersen.
The drive battery is charged automatically whenever milk is mixed and the machine is connected to power. The trolley is equipped with heavy-duty solid tyres, eliminating the risk of punctures and improving stability during operation.
Currently, milk feeding is done twice daily. Each batch takes around 10 minutes to prepare, while feeding 56 calves takes approximately 20 minutes per session.
Quick cleaning and high reliability
After feeding, the machine is rinsed with hot water, which takes only a moment. Once a week, a five-minute cleaning programme is run using liquid detergent.
“We are very happy with our Urban Milkshuttle, also because it has proven to be very reliable in daily use,” says Kim Pedersen.
He adds that the choice of Urban was based on the machine’s reputation for advanced functionality and dependable performance compared to other brands.
Three generations on the farm
Despite being 81 years old, Holger Pedersen still takes part in daily work on the farm alongside his son Kim Pedersen, aged 46, and grandson Mads Pedersen, aged 20.
Holger Pedersen took over Lergrav in 1971 with 15 hectares of land. Over the years, he expanded the farm by purchasing an additional 50 hectares and constructing the current production buildings.
In addition to the transitioning dairy production and growing beef calf operation, the farm also runs a small contracting business, handling slurry spreading, ploughing, sowing, grass management and baling.
A practical safety feature of the Urban Milkshuttle is the control handle: if the large red button at the end comes into contact with an obstacle, forward movement stops automatically.
Looking to improve calf health and reduce daily workload with efficient milk feeding equipment?
Contact Milcotec to learn more about Urban Milkshuttle solutions and setup options for your operation.
🚜 Machines
Gerth Petersen – 📱 +45 20258260 – ✉️ gerth@milcotec.com
🔧 Spare parts
Anne Lang Krogh – 📱 +45 23354095 – ✉️ anne@milcotec.com
