A little while ago I met a man named Greg who owns a robotic dairy. I found this fascinating and as soon as I could I headed off to find out more.
Greg Dennis’ grandparents bought the Scenic Rim Dairy Farm at Tamrookum near Beaudesert in south east Queensland in the 1930s, when cows were milked by hand and milk was delivered by horse and cart.
Much has changed in the dairy industry but Greg and his family have always been passionate about producing the best milk they can from happy, healthy cows.
In 2010 they were the first in Queensland to install the LELY Robotic Dairy system. They believe it is less stressful for the cows and it increases productivity.
Here is the robotic milking system…with cow.
The cows love it . They come in to the shed to be milked when it suits them ( a tasty snack keeps them busy while they are being milked) There is no specified milking time and they don’t have to be herded in. They really do stroll in and line up to be milked. Some are bit eager and push their friends out of the way to get in first.
The milking machine is programmed to recognise each cow. Sterilised brushes first wash the teats and the soft action of the brushes stimulates the cows to ‘let down’ their milk.
Next the robot attaches the suction cups to the teats and each section of the udder is milked separately. The udder is scanned by a laser to record any changes to the udder to enable a good connection each time.
Then the teats are washed and moisturied and the cow heads of to the pasture. On the way out she gets a nice back scratch.
On hot days there is a sprinkler system in the shed so the girls can cool off when they feel like it. They stand on soft rubber matting which is kind to their feet.
The Dennis family now produce, process, bottle and distribute their own Scenic Rim 4 Real Milk. The milk is pasteurised and bottled on the farm and delivered to outlets within a 2 hour drive from the dairy. It tastes better and is better for you, as there has been minimal processing. It is the next best thing to buying directly from the farm.
The family run tours of the dairy and I can report that it is interesting and fun. The cows are placid and calm and seem to have a lovely cow life.
I lived on a dairy farm for a few years when my son was little and I love the taste of milk straight from the cow…much better than over processed milk.
We live within their delivery zone so will be looking out for it. They also produce delicious cheese and will soon add butter to their list of  products.
Take a look at their website for much more information…
They should join the latest trend in Europe: fresh milk dispensing machines http://modernfarmer.com/2014/03/americans-envy-europes-raw-milk-vending-machines/
By: Mulino Dominillo on November 30, 2014
at 1:10 pm
It is not allowed to sell unpasteurised milk in Australia. I often use the mechanical cow at Borgo a Mozzano, it’s great.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2014
at 10:09 am
The nearest I’ve got to a robotic dairy around here is the milk dispenser outside Penny Market!
By: Francis on November 30, 2014
at 1:14 pm
That’s a great idea. I buy my milk there when I am in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2014
at 10:10 am
I worked at a small family dairy while I was in college – I was the robot! I would love to see a dairy like this in person.
By: jencvt2002 on November 30, 2014
at 4:51 pm
It is really interesting. If you live nearby you should visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2014
at 10:10 am
Oh hasn’t it all come a long way from when I was a little girl growing up in Nambour where the cows always looked happy but they sure didn’t have soft floors and a programme to suit them selves or a cool spray of water on a hot summers day. Interesting and feel good story.
By: Dianne Cant on November 30, 2014
at 8:12 pm
The dairy is great. I wish them every success.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 30, 2014
at 10:27 pm
In an world where factory farming is increasingly the norm it is good to read the story of this diary farm.
By: Just Add Attitude on November 30, 2014
at 8:29 pm
Our farmers need to be supported. They work long hours and provide our food. It is good to see a success story.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 30, 2014
at 10:25 pm
That’s so much better for the cows and the farmer. I love the idea of the cows being able to wander in to be milked when they feel it’s time.
By: Yvonne on November 30, 2014
at 9:42 pm
It is amazing to watch them wander up and walk into the miling machine. Cows are creatures of habit and they mostly come to the same machine each time.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 30, 2014
at 10:23 pm
This farm was the subject of a Landline TV program last August. It is very impressive. I ended up watching it twice. What surprised me was the cows come in for milking 3 times a day. And I loved the back scratcher and so did the cows judging by their movements.
I buy their milk and Camembert
By: Colin on November 30, 2014
at 9:44 pm
It is very impressive. The family has done a great job. The cows sometimes come in 3 times a day, depending on their milk production of course. They will be on The Project next week. The crew was there filming while we were there,
By: Debra Kolkka on November 30, 2014
at 10:22 pm
What a great enterprise…milk as fresh as can be, cheese and soon butter. Great blog Debra.
By: Jim & Kerry on November 30, 2014
at 10:24 pm
It was very brave of the family to handle their own production and it seems to be working for them.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2014
at 10:12 am
Deb and this is the way Pyengana dairy here operate, backscratchers and all
By: tastetravel on November 30, 2014
at 11:21 pm
It’s a great idea, don’t you think?
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2014
at 10:12 am
Truly bucolic! I must put that on my day-trip list.
By: technanna on November 30, 2014
at 11:35 pm
It is really worthwhile. We later went for lunch at a nearby winery…there will be a post soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2014
at 10:13 am
Love kind farmers who want the best for their consumers as well.
By: Karen Overton on December 1, 2014
at 12:48 am
These are very dedicated farmers.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2014
at 10:14 am
What a great story – your interests are truly divers and wonderful! I love it!
By: Michelle on December 1, 2014
at 1:00 am
That of course should be diverse….
By: Michelle on December 1, 2014
at 1:01 am
Don’t you love spellcheck?
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2014
at 10:14 am
WOW, I always wondered how it worked, i love the showers and back rubs too! How many times a day do the cows go in to be milked? Maybe I will pop over the site.. great post ! c
By: cecilia on December 1, 2014
at 1:23 am
The cows usually wander up twice a day, sometimes 3 times, at any time. There are 4 milking machines and 250 cows.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2014
at 10:15 am
Wow
By: simplysands on December 1, 2014
at 3:10 am
The dairy is great and the milk is delicious.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2014
at 10:16 am
That’s a long way from a two hands, a stool, and a bucket.
By: aFrankAngle on December 1, 2014
at 9:42 pm
…a very long way indeed.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 2, 2014
at 7:44 am
That is such a fascinating dairy – when we have to produce food for densely populated cities, it seems to me this is the way to go. It gives the best outcome for the cow as well as the consumer of the milk – I don’t like buying the deconstructed and reconstructed product the supermarkets sell. Having tasted/scoffed your Milk 4 Real triple cream brie I know it’s absolutely delicious. The milk from that dairy is sold at Fresh Sensations in the Carindale shopping centre.
By: Jan on December 1, 2014
at 10:00 pm
We have to be prepared to pay more for these products, but I think it is worth it.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 2, 2014
at 7:44 am
Where can we buy it Deb?
By: Liz Litzow on December 1, 2014
at 11:43 pm
Farmer Greg said that Sourced Grocer has it. IGA also carry it.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 2, 2014
at 7:43 am
I’ve visited such a farm in Nederland. I think the manufacturers Lely may originally be Dutch too. Yes, I was particularly impressed with the way the machine recognised each cow, and wouldn’t admit them if they tried to come back too soon after their last milking. ‘Go out and eat some more grass, girl!’
By: Richard Tulloch on December 2, 2014
at 6:15 am
The machines are Dutch, and very clever indeed.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 2, 2014
at 7:42 am
That’s fantastic that the cows just stroll in when they want to be milked. It is so different from how I have seen it done!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on December 3, 2014
at 11:15 am
Thats fantastic, I have not seen such a relaxed and lovely cow farm. I especially love the mini cow pamper setup. 🙂 I am sure they appreciate the special attention.
By: shenANNAgans on December 4, 2014
at 4:49 am