When Lindsay Anderson faced a serious and long term health issue, an automatic milking system (AMS) enabled the family to continue to dairy.

Unlike most grazing AMS herds, the Anderson herd is milked in batches: the herd is split into two groups of up to 75 cows which are given access to the dairy at specific times of the day.

This is quite different from voluntary milking where milking occurs most of the day and night and cows move by themselves from the paddock to the dairy and around the farm.

The big gains from automated milking

The Andersons have reduced their labour costs and Lindsay also values the reduced stress by not having to recruit, supervise and retain staff.

• Reduced physical workload.
• Reduced labour costs.
• The operation doesn’t rely solely on Lindsay.
• Single operator if needed.

Other gains

• More time to focus on farm management and business.
• Better return on concentrate investment.
• Improved animal health and welfare.
• More family time.
• Flexible routine.
• No need to be on call at night.
• Time and energy for off-farm activities