Dairy Event and Livestock Show News

RABDF Livestock Machinery and Equipment Award Winner 2009
29 September 2009



Ian Tossell of Lely receives the 2009 RABDF Livestock Machinery and Equipment Award from Baroness Byford, President of RABDF whilst Brian Finney, Head Judge, displays the certificate.

The winner of the inaugural RABDF Livestock Machinery and Equipment Award for 2009 is the Lely Astronaut A3 Next robotic milker. The decision was made on the grounds of economics, the welfare and close management of milking animals, the reduction of drudgery for family and employed staff, flexibility since it applies to family run and larger units, and the longer-term needs of the dairy industry. The machine demonstrated a high level of technical innovation, service reliability and potential for further development of management information features. 

Two of the 10 finalists were highly commended: Fabdec Heatime, a stand alone heat detection system that continuously monitors cow activity and changes in behaviour and the Volac U40 Computerised Calf Feeder which manages and feeds calves automatically on a pre-determined feed curve.

RABDF created this new award for exhibitors to the Dairy Event and Livestock Show to recognise the importance of machinery and equipment to the current and future profitability of the livestock farming industry. The judges appraised each entry’s innovation, its economic advantages to the farmer, running costs including replacement parts and prices, servicing requirements, safety features, energy usage, potential market and list price.

moremore news