Robotics Replace Rotary on Dairy Farm Focused on Labor, Efficiency & the Future

Overview

The Wilpshaar family of Albert, Canada, has transitioned from rotary to robotic milking to address labor challenges and improve long-term sustainability.

After immigrating to Alberta, Canada, in 2017 from the Netherlands, the Wilpshaar family spent nearly a decade building their dairy business the traditional way: with hard work and passion. But as the labor challenges around rotary milking mounted and the need for long-term sustainability became more pressing, they began exploring robotic milking.

Their automation journey wasn’t rushed. It was a strategic decision driven by a desire to reduce labor dependency, improve herd management and build a smarter, more resilient dairy for the future.

From Rotary to Robotics

The dairy, which includes 400 cows, transitioned to eight Lely Astronaut A5 robotic milking systems in March after years of planning and research.

“It was getting tougher to find people with a passion for cows,” said Herco Wilpshaar, who owns the farm with his wife Kirstin and their family. "You can pay high wages, but without that passion, it’s hard to keep a dairy going and plan for the future. Robotics gave us a way forward.”  

What appealed to Herco most about robotic milking was the ability to manage cows on an individual level.

“You can get more out of each cow when you manage them individually. The robot provides detailed insights including milk yield, fat, protein, rumination and early warning signs for issues such as mastitis or ketosis. That kind of data just isn’t possible in a traditional parlor,” Wilpshaar said.

Choosing the Right System

The family explored multiple robotic options but chose Lely for a few key reasons. First was the brand’s exclusive focus on robotic dairy technology.

“They’ve been doing this (robotic milking) for more than 25 years. That experience shows in the product,” Wilpshaar said.

Another deciding factor was Lely’s Farm Management Support advisors, who help guide farmers every step of the way in their automation journey.

“You’re not just buying a robot. You’re getting a partner. They help you learn the system and make sure you’re getting the most out of the equipment.”

Dealer support was also essential.

“Even the best robot isn’t worth it if the service is bad. Our dealer, Penner Farm Services, helped us plan everything from maintenance options to barn layout and trained us to handle basic repairs ourselves. That keeps our costs predictable.”

A Smooth Start-Up

“We trained cows through the robot beforehand, which helped a lot,” Wilpshaar said. “The first few days were about building routine, but after that, things settled in quickly.”

Two groups of cows were transitioned at once, and the team saw solid production right away.

“We were over 40 kilograms [per cow] within the first month. That was a surprise, especially given all the stress from the transition,” he said.

There is a calmer atmosphere in the barn too.

“Cows are quieter, more relaxed. And physical labor has gone way down. It's a better work environment all around.”

A Family Business

Though still young, the next generation is already pitching in. The children, ranging from elementary to high school aged, are active on the farm, and their part-time help supports daily operations.

“Everyone helps where they can. It’s still a family farm, just with modern tools,” Herco said.

Looking Ahead

For this farm, the decision to automate wasn’t just about economics, it was about building a future.

“Robotics let us run our dairy with less labor, more consistency and better insight. We’re still early in the process, but we already see the benefits.,” Herco added.