Lely Win Gold At Royal Cornwall
Lely Limited launched their award winning automated "feed pusher" named JUNO, into the UK dairy market.
Lely Feed Pusher
World leaders in the development and design of robotic dairy systems; Lely Limited, launched their award winning automated “feed pusher” named JUNO, into the UK dairy market at the recent 2009 Royal Cornwall Show where it won first prize in the innovative products category.
The introduction of the Lely Juno feed pusher, provides dairy farmers with the ultimate solution in automated feed technology. Based on the successful Lely Discovery mobile barn cleaner, the new Juno unit drives automatically over the feeding alley following the existing feeding fence. The automated robot then pushes feed back towards the waiting cattle as often as required without disturbing the cows – eliminating the need for regular visual checks and manual distribution from the farmer or dairyman.
One of the key benefits and subsequent findings associated with the new Juno system is the increased and consistent roughage intake for the entire herd; which in turn results in calmer and more tranquil cattle. Even low ranked animals will now have sufficient access to fresh feed due to the constant availably of feed being moved into the feeding area; again providing benefits in increased nutritional intake, higher milk yields and reduced stress – for both farmer and cow. Since its European launch, it has been found that by optimising Juno to push feed 8 times per day (as opposed to the more standard 3 times) actually results in a 5% increase in Dry Matter Intake (DMI) throughout the herd.
The Lely Juno is an easy to install, battery-operated vehicle, which automatically returns to its charging station after each run. Mounted at a convenient location near the feeding alley, the charging station also functions as the starting point for each sweep along the feed line. These pre-determined routes can be set using Lely’s E-link control and only have to be programmed once when the unit is first installed, giving farmer’s total piece of mind and hassle free operation. The flexibility for different routing possibilities adds another dimension to Juno’s capabilities on farm; and allows for consistent feeding to be evenly spread around the clock, in multiple locations; ensuring food is available for the whole herd both day and night.
The simplicity of its design and incorporation of safety features make Lely’s Juno unit the perfect addition to any farm. Driven by two powered wheels and supported by a third, a built-in
ultrasound sensor ensures that the feed pusher follows the feeding fence at pre-determined distances. A rotatable surface, located in the lower part of the Lely Juno pushes “out of reach” feed back towards the waiting cows; making sure no food is wasted and the whole herd gets a
fair share. With the power and ability to push feed piles as high as 75cm, safety is of the utmost importance and Juno carries a collision detector to ensure the robotic farm hand stops immediately if it encounters any obstacle or obstruction.
With robotic dairy production at the core of Lely’s business ideal, it was no surprise when the Juno won acclaim at this years “Salon de l’Agriculture” in Paris and was awarded a “Victoires des Agriculteurs” in the productivity in dairy farms category. The innovative and truly unique robotic system is now set to revolutionise the often inefficient and dated feeding procedures implemented on farms throughout the world; offering both the farmer and animal numerous benefits in regards to nutrition, labour saving, costs and milk production.