Dairy farmer Hans Julius Skøtt Lervad from Hvejsel near Jelling has leased a milking robot through Milcotec, allowing him to improve cow welfare facilities without major investment costs.
Deep-bedded housing, soft rubber flooring and plenty of space for freshly calved cows form the foundation of the welfare unit. At the centre of the setup is a Lely A2 milking robot, giving cows the freedom to be milked whenever they choose.
The welfare unit was established to provide newly calved cows with more calm, comfort and space during a critical period.
“If the animals are doing well, production improves as well. It’s that simple,” says Hans Julius.
Leasing agreement including spare parts
The robot is leased from Milcotec under an agreement that includes a monthly fee and scheduled service four times per year.
“It’s a good solution that made it possible for me to add an extra robot. That wouldn’t have been possible if I had to buy it myself. I only pay for service and installation, and spare parts are included. That gives real peace of mind if something breaks down,” explains Hans Julius.
Hans Julius already operates two Lely A2 robots, purchased 14 years ago, which are also serviced by Milcotec. Through this service agreement, he became aware of the leasing option.
The herd consists of 160 dairy cows. Around 30 newly calved cows are placed in the welfare unit at a time, typically for one to two months, before returning to the main barn.
Competitive setup with low investment costs
The welfare unit was established in March using a former feed barn located next to the main stable.
“One of the advantages of robots is that they are easy to integrate. They don’t take up much space, so I could quickly convert the feed barn into a welfare unit at relatively low cost. We have to stay competitive to survive with low milk prices,” says Hans Julius.
Heifer hotel and eighth-generation farmer
In addition to Bjerlev Vestergaard, where he represents the eighth generation, Hans Julius also leases a nearby farm used as a heifer hotel housing 350 heifers. Here, he raises his own heifers from six to around 24 months of age, as well as heifers for two other farmers.
Hans Julius also manages 200 hectares of farmland.
Interested in flexible milking solutions or leasing options for your dairy farm?
Contact Milcotec to learn more about leased milking robots, welfare units and service agreements.
🚜 Machines
Gerth Petersen – 📱 +45 20258260 – ✉️ gerth@milcotec.com
🔧 Spare parts
Anne Lang Krogh – 📱 +45 23354095 – ✉️ anne@milcotec.com
