MADISON, WI – A pillar of the Canadian Holstein industry, Comestar Holstein is preparing for a new phase in its storied history, one which will see them move to voluntary milking powered by DeLaval.
The new system will allow the cows to choose when they are milked, and the milking itself is performed by the new generation of milking robot – the DeLaval VMS™ V300. As well as an anticipated increase in yield, Comestar owners Marc and France Comtois, together with their children Kathleen, Steve, and Julie and her husband Julien Turmel, were very clear on the benefit of the new system for their much-envied Holsteins. “There will be more freedom and comfort for the animal,” says Marc.
But it’s not just a case of putting in some new robots – it is the connection of those robots to capture and analyse more data, faster and more easily than ever before that will enable the Comtois family to make better decisions to improve the farm environment for themselves, workers and cows.
Marc also notes that with their new DeLaval VMS system, cows will most likely be less stressed. “It will be better for the animals. We’ll be able to see them getting sick before it actually happens.”
This predictive power is made possible by the unprecedented data captured at each milking by DeLaval Herd Navigator™ system which performs automated milk analysis including progesterone levels. Every morning the Comtois family and their staff will receive information on each individual cow’s milking performance, health and reproductive status – because amongst other industry firsts, DeLaval VMS V300 is still the only automated milking solution that includes automated pregnancy checks.
In one year from now, Comestar Holstein plans to be milking 350 cows with six VMS V300 robots in a new sandbedded freestall barn. The facility will be built to accommodate two additional VMS units. DeLaval dealer Équipements Provencher will support the installation and service of Comestar Holstein’s robots.
Source : DeLaval