DeLaval Highlights 2023/2024
DeLaval launches the next-generation automated rotary milking system
The E500 rotary milking system increases milking efficiency and streamlines worker routines. It also automates the selecting and sorting of cows and minimises stress on animals. The operator has access to the status of each cow being milked, automatic start and speed functions, monitoring cameras and crowd gate controls. “The DeLaval E-series rotaries represent a new era in efficient dairy technology,” said Gary Edwards, Rotary Cluster Solution Specialist. “We have taken a 360-degree view of our customers’ needs, prioritising operator safety, animal welfare, farm profitability, food safety and work efficiency.”
New autonomous feeding robot
Feeding is one of the biggest costs on a dairy farm and is the most labour-intensive activity after milking. The OptiWagon is an autonomous feed distribution robot that is part of DeLaval’s complete automated feeding solution, DeLaval Optimat™. The comprehensive feeding solution provides everything from weighing, cutting and mixing to delivering the feed to the feed table. “Including the OptiWagon as part of the Optimat system provides an efficient and flexible feeding system that can help save valuable time and limit energy costs on farms,” said Ludo Bols, Feeding Systems Specialist.
Investment in automatic milking capacity
DeLaval is doubling its production capacity of automatic milking machines to meet rising customer demand, shorten lead times and maintain its focus on product development. The investment will involve upgrading DeLaval’s automatic milking robot production facility in Tumba, Sweden, in 2024 with optimised and automated flows. “The high demand we have seen for our VMS V300-series in recent years and the future expected demand allows us to make this investment,” said Paul Löfgren, President & CEO at DeLaval.
DeLaval celebrates 140 years in dairy
Ever since its establishment in 1883, DeLaval has focused on pioneering solutions that help dairy farmers and their animals. This focus lives on today with solutions that promote greater automation and digitalisation to help lead the dairy industry into the future. “It is our role to make the dairy farmers’ lives better through innovation, quality and commitment. This means finding more sustainable ways to farm so that they can be successful and in turn, provide the world with nutritious food now and in the future,” said Paul Löfgren, DeLaval President & CEO.
New innovative teat disinfectants
DeLaval has expanded its udder health assortment with three new innovative glycolic acid-based teat disinfectants to the European market: OceanBlu™ spray, OceanBlu™ pro and OceanBlu™ barrier. Good udder preparation and milking routines, combined with post-milking teat disinfection, are proven to reduce mastitis. Udder health in general is vital to dairy farmers as it affects the performance of the herd and profitability of the farm. OceanBlu is being launched in additional selected countries in 2024.
New study shows importance of Body Condition Score to improve herd performance
In a recent study conducted in the United States in collaboration with DeLaval’s Scientific Committee, Colorado State University and the University of Florida, Body Condition Score (BCS) proved to be key in improving performance in herds. The study’s main objective was to better understand the impact of the changes in BCS during the dry period and early lactation on variables that are significant to the farmer, including fertility, milk yield, and cow health. The results showed the value of monitoring BCS to maximise cow performance while improving the health status of the animals.
Joaquin Azocar, co-author of the study and DeLaval Solution Manager in North America, said: “The information that we have collected gives us a light to understand how to implement this type of technology in a successful way, helping our customers improve their cows’ productivity and welfare. The collaboration from the local and global DeLaval teams was key to the overall success of this project.”
The results of the study were released in December 2023 and are available online.
Reducing the environmental impact of Latin American logistics
DeLaval has optimised its logistics in Latin America with a new warehouse in Argentina, streamlined inventories, an additional sea freight each month and 46 per cent less air freight. Outgoing pallets with 20 litre chemical products have also been increased from 36 pieces to 48 pieces per pallet to reduce outbound freight costs and reduce packaging material. “We have reduced our outbound logistics footprint from Argentina by 19 per cent, from Brazil by 6 per cent and our product packaging material by 7 per cent,” said Julian Gonzalez, Purchasing & Logistics Manager Latin America.
