Interested in robotic milking but not sure how to get from point A to point B? You’re not alone. One of the biggest questions we hear from producers is, “What happens after I sign the purchase agreement?”
The answer is simple: a lot.
Lely Center Mid-Atlantic serves Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey, and over the past eighteen years we’ve worked alongside many contractors, builders, and equipment suppliers throughout the region. Through that experience, we’ve learned that one of the biggest factors in a successful installation is having a team that understands robotic milking.
If you need recommendations, we’re happy to connect you with contractors and vendors we’ve worked with successfully in the past. While choosing your project team is ultimately your decision, we’re happy to work with any vendors you select. Our goal is to help every project succeed.
Working with experienced contractors often makes the process smoother. Teams that understand robotic dairy installations are already familiar with Lely specifications, project timelines, and the coordination required between multiple trades. That experience helps improve communication, reduce delays, and keep projects moving forward.
What happens between signing the agreement and milking your first cow?
Every project is different. Your timeline depends on factors such as project scope, contractor availability, weather, permitting, and the distance between vendors. While no two installations are exactly alike, having the right team in place from the beginning helps keep the project on schedule.
Depending on your operation, your project team may include your Sales Specialist, General Contractor, Builder, Banker, Plumber, Electrician, Refrigeration/Cooling Specialist, other equipment suppliers, Veterinarian, Nutritionist, your Lely Farm Management Support (FMS) Specialist, and your Lely Project Coordinator. Not every project requires every member, but each plays an important role in creating a smooth transition to robotic milking.
Here’s a general overview of what you can expect throughout the installation process.
Barn Design
The project begins by designing a facility that meets your management goals while working within the structural limitations of your barn. During this phase, equipment specifications are finalized and all parties align on the project plan.
Sale Closure
Congratulations! Once the agreement is signed, the planning begins.
Planning
Multiple planning meetings are held with everyone involved in the installation. Project timelines are established, equipment is ordered, deliveries are coordinated, and responsibilities are clearly assigned so everyone understands their role throughout the project.
Pre-Installation Preparation
Site preparation begins. Underground conduits are installed, materials are ordered, and the farm is prepared for equipment installation.
Installation
This is where the project starts coming together. Equipment is installed, systems take shape, and your future robotic dairy becomes a reality.
Meeting with Farm Management Support (FMS)
Before startup, you’ll begin working closely with your FMS Specialist. They’ll review your current management practices, identify opportunities for improvement, train you on Lely Horizon, and help prepare both you and your herd for the transition to robotic milking. Their support continues well beyond startup to help you get the most from your investment.
Commissioning
Before cows enter the robots, every system is tested, calibrated, and verified. This process typically takes about a week and ensures the equipment is operating exactly as designed before startup begins.
Start-Up
Startup is one of the most exciting—and busiest—parts of the project. Over several weeks, both cows and people learn the new system. Lely Center Mid-Atlantic Service Technicians are on-site around the clock during the first three days and continue providing regular support throughout the transition. Your FMS Specialist is also on-site during startup week, helping oversee the transition and providing additional guidance as your herd adapts.
Routine Maintenance
The first scheduled maintenance takes place approximately three months after startup, with routine preventative maintenance continuing every three months to help keep your robots performing at their best.
Installing robotic milking equipment is much more than delivering robots to a farm. It requires careful planning, communication, and coordination between many different people over several months. Having experienced partners who understand the process can make all the difference.
At Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, our project management team works alongside you from the initial planning stages through startup and beyond. Whether you’re looking for recommendations, coordinating multiple vendors, or simply wondering what comes next, we’re here to help make the transition to robotic milking as smooth and successful as possible.
Every robotic milking project is unique, but one thing remains the same: having the right team makes all the difference. If you’re considering robots or simply have questions about the process, contact Lely Center Mid-Atlantic at 717-656-3307. We’re here to help you plan with confidence and build a project team positioned for success.