Sudells Farm: Embracing robotic milking for a better future

Managed by Nick Eccles, alongside his parents and brother, the farm has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. 

With a milking herd of 200 cows, plus some ewes and 100 store beef, Sudells Farm has embraced technology to enhance efficiency, improve cow health and achieve a better work-life balance for the family.

The transition to robotic milking

The journey towards a fully robotic milking system at Sudells Farm began in 2019. The farm's old milking parlour, which had been in use for 25 years, was becoming increasingly inefficient and time-consuming.

"We needed to update that parlour because it was worn out, and it was taking a long time to milk the cows," Nick says. After exploring various options and visiting several farms with sophisticated parlours and robotic milking systems, the decision was made to invest in a robotic set-up.

The farm now boasts three Lely A5 robotic milking units, which allow cows to be milked on their schedule.

"The cows can visit these with free access so they can be milked when they want and how often they want," Nick says, adding that they clearly appreciate being in control of their milking schedule. And he has a point; the cows are visibly relaxed, mostly quiet and quite clearly happy – they’re almost totally unfazed as I walk through their shed, recording the robots in action.

 

Overcoming initial challenges

Transitioning to a robotic milking system was not without its challenges. The first week was particularly tough as the cows had to be trained to use the new system.

"It was quite a shock to the cows, having to learn to go to the robots by themselves and have that robotic arm coming underneath them," Nick says.

During those first days, the team worked tirelessly, bringing the cows to the robots up to five times a day to help them get used to the robots. Still, despite the initial stress, the hard work paid off.

"Once you get that out of the way, you're on a journey to having an easier life," Nick says, one where the herd is more comfortable and in control of their routines, but also one where the milk production is maximised without the need for additional labour.

 

The power of data

One of the robotic milking system's most significant benefits is the wealth of data it generates. Each cow at Sudells Farm wears a collar that monitors rumination and activity levels. This data is crucial for making informed decisions about cow health and reproduction. "If a cow's rumination drops, it's a good sign that she's unhealthy or there's something wrong with her," Nick explains. The system also helps identify cows in heat by tracking their movement, ensuring timely insemination.

The integration of technology extends beyond milking. The farm uses a robotic feed pusher to ensure cows can constantly access fresh feed and robotic scrapers to maintain clean passageways. All this data is consolidated into a single dashboard, providing a comprehensive overview of the herd's health and productivity. "It helps us make better and informed decisions about how to move forward with the cows, whether that's improving the diet, improving their health, or improving milk yields," Nick says.

Enhancing cow health

The robotic milking system at Sudells Farm has revolutionised how cow health is monitored and managed. The collars worn by the cows track various health indicators, including rumination and activity levels. This data is invaluable for the early detection of health issues. For instance, a drop in rumination can signal potential health problems, allowing for prompt intervention. Similarly, increased activity levels can indicate that a cow is in heat, facilitating timely breeding.

Moreover, the robotic system monitors milk quality and udder health. It measures variables such as milk temperature, colour, conductivity, and flow rate, which help identify issues like mastitis early on. This proactive approach to health management ensures that cows receive timely treatment, preventing the spread of diseases and maintaining high milk quality.

The farm also benefits from detailed reports generated by the system, which include information on fertility, mastitis, ketosis, and other health conditions. These reports are shared with veterinarians and nutritionists, enabling collaborative efforts to optimise cow health and productivity. "We share data with the vets, and they produce reports on fertility cases, mastitis, ketosis, and milk fever," Nick explains. This comprehensive monitoring and data analysis help maintain a healthy and productive herd.

 

Work-life balance

One of the most profound impacts of the robotic system has been on Nick's work-life balance. The flexibility afforded by the technology means he is no longer tied to the rigid schedule of traditional milking times. "The technology and the robotics we've brought into our system have definitely made my life more flexible," Nick says. He can now spend more time with his family, enjoy activities outside of farming, and even take days off knowing that the robots are efficiently managing the milking process.

This newfound flexibility has had a positive impact on Nick's family life. "I can be in sooner at night, be out later in the mornings, or I can go for days off knowing that everything's running smoothly," he says. The peace of mind that comes with constant monitoring and the ability to address issues remotely has been invaluable.

Support throughout the transition

Nick says that support has been integral to their success at every step of the transition to a robotic system, and that support is ongoing even now.

Having bought the A5 milking robots outright, Sudells Farm still has a service contract with Lely. Nick says this has been crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of the robotic units, with each robot serviced every four months.

This regular maintenance includes replacing wearable parts and addressing any issues that arise, and Lely engineers are available 24/7 for support if anything should go wrong.

Additionally, the farm has benefited from calling on the experience of other farmers using the same equipment. 

"There's WhatsApp groups out there where all the Lely farmers are together, and we can discuss any issues, share experiences, troubleshoot problems and offer advice," Nick says. 

And the whole herd's physical transition was assisted by the Lely team's advice. During this time, they also provided training on how to get the most out of the machines, from calibrating the robots to dealing with any breakdowns.

"The support was very key to this project working.”

The family benefited from additional support, even in terms of the project's finances.

"Government grants provided 40% of the cost towards the robotic equipment, and our bank was supportive of us making the move too, approving our loan applications." 

 

Financial and environmental sustainability

The transition to robotic milking has also brought financial benefits. The system allows for more efficient milk production, reducing the reliance on expensive purchased feeds.

"The biggest thing for me is milk from forage because if we're getting a lot of milk from forage, that's a cheap source of energy to produce milk," says Nick.

The data generated by the system also helps them optimise feed efficiency and improve overall profitability.

The family is also aware of the need to be environmentally sustainable. By closely monitoring cow health and productivity, the farm can ensure it is operating in an environmentally responsible manner, with carbon audits already on the horizon.

"We need to be able to collect that data to prove we aren't damaging the planet," Nick says.

Looking ahead

The success of the robotic milking system has encouraged Sudells Farm to continue investing in technology. Plans are already underway to install a fourth milking robot in a different shed, aimed at improving the performance of first-calved cows.

"We're very happy to install another robot. Doing that will help us to improve the performance of those cows, but it will also allow us to monitor their welfare even better too, as they can be a bit vulnerable in quite a large shed with the bigger, older cows," Nick says.

Nick is a strong advocate for embracing technology in farming. He believes that the data collected from various sensors and systems is invaluable for making informed decisions and ensuring the sustainability of the business.

"If you can process that data and use it to make more informed decisions, that can lead to a more profitable and more sustainable business," he says.

 

Building on their success

The Eccles family have clearly put a lot of time and effort into researching and planning their journey to a fully robotic milking system. And it’s clear they’re benefiting from that approach, having transformed their workloads while improving their herd’s health.

The challenges faced during the transition may have been significant, but the benefits have been profound. From improved cow health and productivity to enhanced work-life balance and financial sustainability, the robotic system has revolutionised how the farm operates. 

And as Nick and his family look to the future, their commitment to innovation and sustainability will undoubtedly continue to drive their success.