Overview
More than 30 farmers from across North America joined the 2025 Spring Lely Vector Tour to visit four advanced dairy farms using the Lely Vector automatic feeding system and other Lely technologies.
Despite late-season wintry conditions across Minnesota and Wisconsin, more than 30 farmers from across North America came together for the 2025 Spring Lely Vector Tour. As part of the tour, the dairy farmers visited four progressive dairy farms that have embraced automation with the Lely Vector automatic feeding system and other Lely solutions. The farms were selected for their forward-thinking mindset and vision for the future of dairy, where feeding efficiency and precision are key to sustainability and success.
Feeding dairy herds efficiently has never been more challenging than it is today. Labor shortages, feed price volatility and extreme climate swings require producers to think differently. The Lely Vector answers that call. By automating one of the most time- and labor-intensive tasks on the farm, producers gain better control of their feeding programs, improve consistency and free up time for higher-level decision-making.
Bremer’s Pine Ridge Farm - Lake City, Minnesota
The first stop on the tour brought attendees to Bremer’s Pine Ridge Farm near Lake City, MN, a multi-generational operation led by Keith Bremer, along with Jeff Bremer and his three sons.
After milking in a traditional parlor for decades, the Bremer’s installed three Lely Astronaut A3 robotic milking systems into their existing barn in 2010. A decade of success with the first few robots gave them the results and confidence to install more. In 2022, they built a new barn and worked with their local Lely Center — Leedstone, Inc — to install a wide variety of Lely robotics, including a two-MFR Lely Vector automatic feeding system, six Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking systems, five Discovery Collector 120 mobile barn cleaners, a Lely Cosmix concentrate feeder and Lely Luna cow brushes.
The installation of their Lely Vector system was the first crane-loaded version in their area. They now feed all their milk cows, dry cows and pre-fresh with the Lely Vector, which is currently running with 30% free time and 98.4% accuracy. (Data as of March 2025)
Tower View Acres, LLC – Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin
The group then traveled to Tower View Acres, LLC in Strum, WI. Ron and Mary Baus purchased this farm on October 1, 1983 — 33 years and 4 days before the startup of Lely automated dairy systems. The farm began as a 42-cow, 204-acre operation, and through years of hard work, expanded to a 90-cow, 290-acre dairy before transitioning to robotics.
In January 2016, their son Jason and his wife, Diana, joined as partners, forming Tower View Acres, LLC. Today, in addition to the 290 acres, the family rents another 65 acres and milks 213 cows. Ron and Mary’s daughter, Stephanie, is also employed on the farm. In July 2024, they installed the Lely Vector automatic feeding system to further enhance efficiency. Early results indicate an increase in milk production and milk components on the already high-performing operation.
JTP Farms – Dorchester, Wisconsin
The next tour stop was JTP Farms, which installed a Lely Vector automatic feeding system in 2021 as part of their effort to maximize efficiency and optimize yield potential on their dairy. After seeing the success of the initial set-up, JTP Farms owner Jake Peissig decided to optimize even further, working with a local contractor to install a conveyor and commodity box. This helped him load silage into the mixing and feeding robot faster. Additionally, more cattle were added to the barn’s footprint, enabling them to continue to grow the operation and maintain feeding all their cattle with the Lely Vector.
Since installing the Lely Vector, Jake cites increased feed efficiency, zero refusals and increased work flexibility as some of the largest benefits.
Miltrim Farms, Inc. – Athens, Wisconsin
The final stop on the tour was Miltrim Farms. Established in 1988 by Martin Mueller, Tom Mueller and Scott Trimmer, the farm started as a double 4-herringbone parlor milking 150 cows at the time. Over the next 12 years, the farm expanded to milk 600 cows. In 2000, the main dairy site was built, which included a double 24-herringbone parlor. In 2009, they added a new freshening barn and converted an old dairy to a heifer facility. Fast forward to 2019 and the first 18 Lely robots were installed. In 2021, the facility was completed with a total of 30 Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking systems. Today, the farm is transitioning to the next generation, ensuring its legacy continues for years to come.
More Than Machinery: A Movement
The 2025 Spring Lely Vector Tour was not only a showcase of automation, but each stop also offered a unique glimpse into how robotic feeding is reshaping daily routines, improving herd performance and empowering producers to take charge of their future.
Learn more about the Lely Vector automatic feeding system here.
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