Lely Vector
Video: http://www.lely.com/en/feeding/automatic-feeding-system/vector
Optimum flexibility – feeding without compromises
Taking care of feeding cows is an important daily routine. It is in your mind 24/7. With the Lely Vector automatic feeding system, you are only required to pay attention to feeding the cows once every three days! In addition, with the Vector system you are completely flexible in the feeding strategy you like to implement. It is the perfect solution for every farm, also offering flexibility to adapt to future expansion.
Your cows make your money and therefore they deserve their feed just like you want it yourself: in well measured, fresh portions, straight from the kitchen. The Lely Vector system allows for 24/7 fresh feed and it is brought to the cows multiple times a day (but there is more; because the mixer is filled alternate with small bites of different feeds, the ration only requires a short mixing time).
The highest return on your feed investment
Farming is increasingly a business whereby the difference in financial results is decided by the way in which you manage the margins. Cows become healthier by consistent feeding and a higher feed intake for all cows results in better performance of the low ranking cows. More fresh feed will reduce leftovers which means more efficient use of roughage. In addition, a significant saving in energy-consumption is achieved.
We have your future in mind
We truly foresee a dairy sector in which one man can take care of a sustainable production of two million kilograms of milk per year. Our investments in research and development are focussed on achieving that in an animal friendly matter (being the originators of robotic milking, we have changed traditions in agriculture). In response to a growing demand for a solution to manage the main time-consuming activity on a dairy farm today; feeding, we have now developed a way to feed the cows with the lowest labour input as possible.
Energy saving system
A system that really saves energy
Because the feed is dropped in the mixing unit in small quantities and in a varied order the mixing is less energy consuming.
Eco-mode reduces mixing time
When only small amounts of feed needs to be mixed, the mixing and feeding robot can be switched to the energy-efficient eco mode which reduces the mixing time.
No noise and no pollution
The Lely Vector system is electrically powered. It is soundless and pollution-free and does not disturb the herd or people in any way.
Maximum use of every kW
The experience we have with autonomous vehicles like the Lely Juno feed pusher helped us develop the Lely Vector system. Especially our knowledge about gears, batteries, etc. was very useful to gain maximum use from each kilowatt of power.
Mixing and feeding robot
The mixing and feeding robot of the Lely Vector system is a self-contained, battery-operated vehicle which is capable of automatically feeding a self-mixed ration.
1. Vertical mixer auger
Ensures superb mixing. The counter-blade makes it possible to mix straw hay as well as other feed types.
2. Emergency stop and pause button
To stop or switch off the system immediately if necessary.
3. Load cells
Compile the right ration and to determine the right amount of feed to dose.
4. Collision bumper
Ensures that the system stops immediately if it encounters an obstacle.
5. Rotatable skirt
Pushes the feed towards the feeding fence.
6. Adaptor
Connects perfect to charging station.
7. Sliding door
Opens for distributing the feed (the door is closed when the robot is only pushing the feed).
8. Antenna
For wireless communication between components of the Lely Vector system.
9. Distributor
Distributes the feed along the feed fence. The amount of feed will be determined by the driving speed.
10. Ultrasound sensor
Ensures that the mixing and feeding robot follows the feeding fence at pre-determined distances.
11. Feed height sensor
Measures the amount of feed at the feed fence and determines where and when fresh feed is needed. This way there is always enough feed available for the cows.
Feeding your cows with the Lely Vector automatic feeding system offers you optimum flexibility. You can implement your feeding strategy without any compromises, whether you want to feed your cows several times a day, different rations and in different groups. You will be rewarded with better cow health and increased production.
The feed kitchen of the Lely Vector system is an open space without obstacles and it can store all types of feed. Every feed type has its own location which is very easy to define. This offers enormous flexibility because it is quite easy to change the feed type and redefine the location. Therefore, adjusting the mixed ration to changes of concentrate will be very easy. When changing concentrates at group level, or when engaging another supplier, you can adjust this precisely on a day and hour basis in the ration at the feed fence.
Changing rations in no time
With the Lely Vector system you can feed every group their own ration. You can easily change the ration: composition as well as quantity. The software can determine the amount of feed leftovers. Whenever the amount of feed leftovers drops below a threshold value the system is able to start to feed this group. Automatic feeding is also ideal in combination with grazing. During rainy periods or just on hot and sunny days, the grazing cows will go inside where they can be offered an extra portion.
With the feed grabber filling system you can grab a lot of feed types. To obtain the right quantity you can adjust the bite size, height and closing of the grabber, so you can feed more precisely. In addition, the system will also correct the feeding quantity through time. If you have fed too much of a specific feed in one run, then it will correct itself in the next runs. Thus, the cows in the group are fed exactly what they need.
Flexibility in your daily routine
Even in modern barns, feeding the cows still takes a lot of time. Also a mixer unit needs to be filled, driven to the barn and through the feeding alley. Here the accuracy of the feeding depends on the concentration of the driver. The Lely Vector automatic feeding system saves not only a lot of labour, it takes away a lot of hassles from your head as well. The only things left to be done are filling up the kitchen and clean it up once in a while. The Vector system offers you the freedom to manage your farm the way you want to.
Feeding based on the needs of the cows
An advanced feature on the Lely Vector mixing and feeding robot is the feed height sensor. With this device the robot knows exactly the amount of feed at the feed fence. So it determines where and when fresh feed is needed without any help from the farmer or manager.
Pushing the feed 24/7
The Lely Vector system has an extra advantage. It can also push up the feed in between feeding times and while pushing the feed it measures the amount of feed leftovers. Alternatively, on the way back after feeding a group it can push the feed of another group. The Vector system ensures that there is always fresh feed at the feed fence; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Fresh, well mixed portions
Cows deliver best when they are in optimum shape. Obviously good feeding is of the utmost importance to achieve this. The Lely Vector automatic feeding system helps you to serve their feed as fresh as possible in well mixed, balanced portions. Your cows will thank you by showing a good health and offering a high milk production.
Excellent mixing in a short time
The Lely Vector mixing and feeding robot loads the various materials in the best possible order. Consequently the ration only requires light and short mixing; thereby the particle size is left in the correct length supporting an optimal healthy rumen. This, combined with the increased dry matter intake, results in increased milk production.
Everything tastes good
By nature all cows like to eat the most tasteful feed first. However, sorting the ration at the feed fence causes larger fluctuations in the acidity (Ph) of the rumen, and therefore a decrease in feed intake which can lead to health problems. By providing fresh feed several times a day, sorting is reduced to the minimum. This results in higher dry matter intake and a minimum of leftovers.
Small fresh meals
When feeding a large quantity of mixed feed at the feed fence only once a day, the whole days ration is immediately intruded with oxygen. In other words, the ration starts to heat up as soon as the mix is ready. The mixing and feeding robot mixes only small portions which will guarantee a tasty meal for every cow multiple times a day.
The Lely Vector mixing and feeding robot measures the amount of rest feed using its feed height sensor.
Safely stored in the kitchen, for several days
With the Lely Vector system you can provide the cows 24/7 year-round fresh feed. When ensiled properly, the roughage enters the kitchen in optimum condition. The feed remains fresh for days because it is stored in blocks. Storing in this way prevents oxygen from intruding in the feed, thus, food quality is safeguarded while pollution caused by moulds or bacteria is ruled out.
Within a normal pattern, a healthy cow will naturally consume 8 to 12 meals a day. The constant delivery of well-mixed, fresh feed by the Lely Vector system will encourage cows to consume more and also provide ample opportunity for low ranking animals to eat, which of course will positively influence their milk production.
Smelling good
Being a nose eater, the cow smells the feed before consuming it. Bringing the feed in small portions, lightly mixed, ensures a good smell and this encourages cows to eat more.
