Juuso: ‘In my job, I am a link between the customers and our organisation, and the most important thing is to create trust between the customers and the staff in the organisation. In the discussions, I strive to get to the level of the customer and share their everyday life and values.
It is impressive to see how these young entrepreneurs have sought inspiration abroad for the planning of their barn with a focus on the welfare of the cows. We wanted to hear the opinions of these innovative farmers on Lely Horizon first, so they were Horizon's first movers in Finland. I am happy that they have chosen Lely, and that we can offer them top-quality equipment and support services.’
Juuso, could you describe your relationship with this farmer?
Jeremias: 'Currently, the most important things for us are to produce milk, increase production and improve our profits. We also want to keep the quality of our milk at a high level. Currently, our production is 45 kg ECM, which means 3.4 kg fat and protein per cow per day, but our goal is to reach 50 kg ECM before the spring sowing. We also strive to selectively breed our cattle and keep the best cows with us for a long time. We will invest even more in animal welfare by installing fans in the barn to cool the cows down in the summer heat.
I hope that Lely’s development work will continue and go forward, as the world is changing rapidly. We would like more reports in Horizon and more economic information to improve profitability. As costs are constantly rising, it would also be good to develop cost-efficient ways and alternatives for acquiring spare parts.'
What are your future plans?
Jeremias: 'The global rise in production costs is currently putting a strain on us. To counteract it, we have to keep production high and constantly be cost-aware in order to keep our business profitable. The high daily result that we are striving for requires three milkings a day, and robot milking makes this possible.
The robots also allow us to use our working hours better and thus increase productivity. Apart from handling the milking, the robot also gives us a lot of information. Our task is to use it in the best possible way to develop our business. The new production management system Lely Horizon has improved the management of our farm. In particular, it helps us keep track of the cost of feed per litre of milk produced and we also monitor the margin per cow.'
What has been your biggest challenge and how has Lely helped you with that challenge?
Farm facts
- Farm data: Ahlvik Gård Ab, dairy farm, owned by brothers Zackarias and Jeremias Ahlvik and their father Bror
- Location: Esse, Finland
- Start date: Milking robot since summer 2020
- Number of cows: 165 milking cows as well as 20 dry cows and 120 young cattle. 90% Holstein and 10% Ayrshire
- Lely robots: 3x Lely Astronaut A5,
2x Lely Luna, Lely Juno and a
Lely treatment box - Lely Center: Lely Center Hämeenlinna
Why did you choose automation?
Jeremias: 'The most important starting point for the design of our new barn was the welfare of the animals. We promote animal welfare with the help of milking robots, stalls with sand and continuous access to top-quality feed. The Lely Juno increases the time and opportunities for feeding, as feed is available 24 hours a day. Our goal is to keep the rumen of every cow full all the time.
We chose the Lely Astronaut A5 milking robot, as Lely is a prominent actor in Finland and the A5 is a new and advanced model. We also knew that Lely is owned by great people. The service works well in our area and is close by, which was ultimately the most important reason for the choice. Most of our service needs can be handled over the phone, but, when necessary, service personnel can be at the farm within 40 minutes. If a robot is out of operation for a long time due to service, this would immediately affect the cows.
When we acquired the robots, we received clear instructions on how the process would go and what we needed to remember before starting to use it. The robots were installed quickly by experienced experts. The cows also learned quickly how to use the milking robots.'
Juuso Kukkola (32)
Farm Management Support and Customer Experience Manager
Jeremias Ahlvik (22)
Owner dairy farm Ahlvik Gård Ab
HAPPY FARMER
Ahlvik Gård, a dairy farm based at Esse in Finland, installed a state-of-the-art, free-range cattle barn in summer 2020. Cow welfare was the focus of the barn’s design. At the same time, the farm introduced automatic milking using two Lely Astronaut A5 milking robots. A third A5 robot was added in autumn 2021. The farm’s milk production is first-class, in terms of both quantity and quality.
Jeremias: 'Currently, the most important things for us are to produce milk, increase production and improve our profits. We also want to keep the quality of our milk at a high level. Currently, our production is 45 kg ECM, which means 3.4 kg fat and protein per cow per day, but our goal is to reach 50 kg ECM before the spring sowing. We also strive to selectively breed our cattle and keep the best cows with us for a long time. We will invest even more in animal welfare by installing fans in the barn to cool the cows down in the summer heat.
I hope that Lely’s development work will continue and go forward, as the world is changing rapidly. We would like more reports in Horizon and more economic information to improve profitability. As costs are constantly rising, it would also be good to develop cost-efficient ways and alternatives for acquiring spare parts.'
What are your future plans?
Jeremias Ahlvik (22)
Owner dairy farm Ahlvik Gård Ab
Why did you choose automation?
Jeremias: 'The most important starting point for the design of our new barn was the welfare of the animals. We promote animal welfare with the help of milking robots, stalls with sand and continuous access to top-quality feed. The Lely Juno increases the time and opportunities for feeding, as feed is available 24 hours a day. Our goal is to keep the rumen of every cow full all the time.
We chose the Lely Astronaut A5 milking robot, as Lely is a prominent actor in Finland and the A5 is a new and advanced model. We also knew that Lely is owned by great people. The service works well in our area and is close by, which was ultimately the most important reason for the choice. Most of our service needs can be handled over the phone, but, when necessary, service personnel can be at the farm within 40 minutes. If a robot is out of operation for a long time due to service, this would immediately affect the cows.
When we acquired the robots, we received clear instructions on how the process would go and what we needed to remember before starting to use it. The robots were installed quickly by experienced experts. The cows also learned quickly how to use the milking robots.'
Juuso Kukkola (32)
Farm Management Support and Customer Experience Manager
Juuso: ‘In my job, I am a link between the customers and our organisation, and the most important thing is to create trust between the customers and the staff in the organisation. In the discussions, I strive to get to the level of the customer and share their everyday life and values.
It is impressive to see how these young entrepreneurs have sought inspiration abroad for the planning of their barn with a focus on the welfare of the cows. We wanted to hear the opinions of these innovative farmers on Lely Horizon first, so they were Horizon's first movers in Finland. I am happy that they have chosen Lely, and that we can offer them top-quality equipment and support services.’
Juuso, could you describe your relationship with this farmer?
Jeremias: 'The global rise in production costs is currently putting a strain on us. To counteract it, we have to keep production high and constantly be cost-aware in order to keep our business profitable. The high daily result that we are striving for requires three milkings a day, and robot milking makes this possible.
The robots also allow us to use our working hours better and thus increase productivity. Apart from handling the milking, the robot also gives us a lot of information. Our task is to use it in the best possible way to develop our business. The new production management system Lely Horizon has improved the management of our farm. In particular, it helps us keep track of the cost of feed per litre of milk produced and we also monitor the margin per cow.'
What has been your biggest challenge and how has Lely helped you with that challenge?
Farm facts
- Farm data: Ahlvik Gård Ab, dairy farm, owned by brothers Zackarias and Jeremias Ahlvik and their father Bror
- Location: Esse, Finland
- Start date: Milking robot since summer 2020
- Number of cows: 165 milking cows as well as 20 dry cows and 120 young cattle. 90% Holstein and 10% Ayrshire
- Lely robots: 3x Lely Astronaut A5,
2x Lely Luna, Lely Juno and a
Lely treatment box - Lely Center: Lely Center Hämeenlinna
Ahlvik Gård, a dairy farm based at Esse in Finland, installed a state-of-the-art, free-range cattle barn in summer 2020. Cow welfare was the focus of the barn’s design. At the same time, the farm introduced automatic milking using two Lely Astronaut A5 milking robots. A third A5 robot was added in autumn 2021. The farm’s milk production is first-class, in terms of both quantity and quality.
HAPPY FARMER
