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# Lely Center Mid-Atlantic

Leading Technology. Maximized Genetic Potential. Peace of Mind.

## Sitemaps

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## Posts

- [Through the FMS Lens: Key Takeaways from the Lely Webinar, “Producing 7,000lbs with Robots”](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2026/08/01/through-the-fms-lens-key-takeaways-from-the-lely-webinar-producing-7000lbs-with-robots/) - Successful robotic milking systems are built on much more than installing robots. During a recent Lely webinar, 3 producers shared what has worked on their farms, offering valuable insights into feeding, cow flow, management, and facility design. Through an FMS viewpoint, these were my takeaways. The Producers Jason Baus (Tower View Acres, Wisconsin)- three A4
- [What to Expect During a Lely Robotic Milking Installation](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2026/09/01/what-to-expect-during-a-lely-robotic-milking-installation/) - 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
- [A Breakdown of Lely Horizon Pricing Structure Changes](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2026/06/01/a-breakdown-of-lely-horizon-pricing-structure-changes/) - By now, current customers should have received an email about the upcoming changes in Horizon’s pricing structure- this email was sent to the associated address in your Lely Portal. To be clear, the prices for each level are not changing- the discount everyone has been getting is just going away. For the last few years,
- [What It Really Takes To Be Successful with Robotic Milking](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2026/05/05/what-it-really-takes-to-be-successful-with-robotic-milking/) - What It Really Takes to Be Successful with Robotic Milking I recently joined a webinar through Penn State Extension on making robots successful, with Joe Bender presenting. I’ll be honest—I usually go into these with a bit of skepticism. Not because they aren’t valuable, but because I know I come in with my own bias
- [What's Happening This Spring at Lely Center Mid-Atlantic](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2026/03/01/whats-happening-this-spring-at-lely-center-mid-atlantic/) - Spring is shaping up to be a busy season here at Lely Center Mid-Atlantic — and we’ve got several opportunities coming up for producers and industry partners to connect, learn, and plan ahead. From educational events to customer-focused learning opportunities (and even a chance to save on new technology), this season is packed with ways
- [When Milk Prices Drop, Robot Maintenance Matters More](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2026/02/01/when-milk-prices-drop-robot-maintenance-matters-more/) - Milk price is top of mind for everyone right now. It’s hard to have a conversation in the dairy industry without it coming up. With margins under pressure, we’re hearing more producers question whether they can afford routine robot maintenance.Our response is simple: can you afford not to?When milk prices drop, it’s common to see
- [Our New Efficient Approach to Discovery Collector Installation](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/12/05/our-new-efficient-approach-to-discovery-collector-installation/) - In the early days of the Discovery Collector, the installation process was both complicated and, at times, frustrating. After physically measuring the dimensions of the barn area to be cleaned, a technician had to manually create a map within the machine’s control board. This required meticulously entering each measurement into the programming application. Only once
- [Maximizing Robot Performance with the Right Cleaning Products](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/11/01/maximizing-robot-performance-with-the-right-cleaning-products/) - Last month, during one of our route meetings, a great discussion came up around a question we hear from customers often: “Why Lely chemicals?” It’s a fair question — especially when there are plenty of alternative products on the market designed for traditional parlors that might look similar at first glance. The truth is, Lely
- [You're Invited: Learn with Lely Retrofit Bus Tour](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/10/01/youre-invited-learn-with-lely-retrofit-bus-tour/) - Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM (tentative) Lely Center Mid-Atlantic is excited to host our Retrofit Bus Tour — a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see firsthand how Lely robots can fit into existing dairy barns without the need for new construction. This tour will highlight three innovative farms that successfully transitioned to
- [FMS Support for Smarter Lely Feed Tables](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/09/01/fms-support-for-smarter-lely-feed-tables/) - When was the last time you really looked at your feed tables—not just glanced, but truly analyzed them? For most farms, the answer is rarely. Yet those numbers quietly shape your herd’s performance, your feed costs, and ultimately your bottom line. The good news? You don’t have to tackle it alone—your Farm Management Support (FMS)
- [10 Minutes to Better Robot Performance: Lely Center Mid-Atlantic's Daily Checklist](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/08/01/10-minutes-to-better-robot-performance-lely-center-mid-atlantics-daily-checklist/) - As you’ve read in last month’s blogs, we are continuing to plan for the launch of our service agreements next year. We are currently piloting the agreements on five of our farms. When each of our pilot customers has signed the agreement this year, our first step is sending Farm Management Support Specialist, Kayla Brody,
- [Future-Proofing Your Dairy: How We Handle the Tech So You Don’t Have To](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/07/01/future-proofing-your-dairy-how-we-handle-the-tech-so-you-dont-have-to/) - Farming has come a long way from the days of pencil-ledgers and manual labor. Today’s barns are filled with precision technology, autonomous equipment, and real-time data systems that help farmers make smarter, faster decisions. But as amazing as these tools are, they come with a catch: technology doesn’t stand still. For farmers investing in robotics,
- [Keeping Your Cows Milking and Your Costs Predictable](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/06/01/keeping-your-cows-milking-and-your-costs-predictable/) - When someone’s deep in the process of choosing a brand of milking robot, the most common advice they hear from current users is:“Where’s your closest dealer?” Why is that the first question—especially when the person asking is mechanically inclined and tech-savvy? Because no matter how good you are with equipment, you’ll never have the same
- [Tips on Optimizing your Lely Vector Performance](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/05/01/tips-on-optimizing-your-lely-vector-performance/) - In April, I was able to attend the Level 2 Vector Analyse and Optimise training in Ottawa, Ontario. Through this training, we learned how to take a deeper look into utilizing the Lely Technician Diagnostic Assistant (LTDA) and how to better help our Vector customers in optimizing and troubleshooting the system. Here are some key
- [Our Lely Customers Learned How to Avoid Their Next E-Call](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/04/01/our-lely-customers-learned-how-to-avoid-their-next-e-call/) - Last month, we hosted our annual customer training event, and it was packed with valuable insights. If you couldn't make it, here's what you missed! Jakob Vogel from Lely North America traveled from Canada to share his expertise on optimizing farm finances through hoof health. One key takeaway was that it costs just as much
- [Building the Perfect Robot-Ready Herd: Genetics & Traits for Maximizing Robotic Milking Efficiency](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/03/03/building-the-perfect-robot-ready-herd-genetics-traits-for-maximizing-robotic-milking-efficiency/) - Transitioning to robotic milking is a game-changer, but not every cow in your herd is suited for this technology. Some cows simply don’t fit the bill due to their physical attributes. Short teats, udder confirmation issues, and even behavioral concerns can pose challenges to the efficiency and profitability of a robotic system. Much like rotary
- [How Lely's Advanced Pulsation Technology Ensures Perfect Milking Every Time](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/02/01/how-lelys-advanced-pulsation-technology-ensures-perfect-milking-every-time/) - Each time a cow is milked, no matter the method, she requires the same positive experience. So, when you see cows going through the robots all day, eating pellets, and leaving dipped, you might think, “Great! Everything is going well!” But what about the processes inside the cups that aren’t visible to you? This is
- [Winter Farm Prep: Essential Tips to Keep Your Lely Robots Running Smoothly](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2025/01/01/winter-farm-prep-essential-tips-to-keep-your-lely-robots-running-smoothly/) - The cold weather is approaching, and for some of you, snow has already arrived. Keeping a farm running during the winter months can be challenging, but don’t worry. Here are some tips and tricks from our techs to help keep you—and your robots—up and running this winter. Preventative Maintenance If you’ve been consistent with your
- [Switching Hats… 5 Things I’ve Learned in the Last 4 Years as a Robot Farmer](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/12/01/switching-hats-5-things-ive-learned-in-the-last-4-years-as-a-robot-farmer/) - On December 14, 2019, my family experienced a barn fire. Thankfully, no animals were lost, and the fire company was able to save our 1952-built parlor. However, the barn was a total loss. The next seven months felt much longer than they actually were. We had many family discussions and made several big decisions in
- [Lely Horizon: What's New, What's Coming](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/11/01/lely-horizon-whats-new-whats-coming/) - Over the past few months, many updates and changes have been made in Horizon. Some are easily noticeable, while others are subtle but enhance the functionality and user experience of the program. Here’s a breakdown of these improvements and a preview of what’s to come! For any questions, please reach out to your FMS advisor.
- [Our Fourth Annual Learn with Lely Center Mid-Atlantic](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/10/21/our-fourth-annual-learn-with-lely-center-mid-atlantic/) - We're excited to announce that Lely Center Mid-Atlantic is hosting its fourth annual event on November 5, 2024, and this year, we’re making it bigger and better than ever! For the past three years, our event has been geared exclusively toward nutritionists, with a strong focus on optimizing dairy herd nutrition. But this year, we’re
- [Bankbarn: Revolutionizing Lely Robotic Financing with Tailored Solutions for Farmers](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/10/01/bankbarn-revolutionizing-lely-robotic-financing-with-tailored-solutions-for-farmers/) - Fisher & Thompson and Lely Center Mid-Atlantic recognize that as capital equipment needs arise on your dairy, financing availability can limit your abilities to make quick and effective decisions. It has been our desire over the years to provide financing solutions through trusted partners when/if these needs arise. With that in mind, we are excited
- [Boosting Dairy Efficiency: How Hide Away Dairy Achieves Success with Lely Robots](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/09/03/boosting-dairy-efficiency-how-hide-away-dairy-achieves-success-with-lely-robots/) - The efficiency of cows in Lely robots is crucial for maximizing the benefits of this advanced technology. When cows adapt effectively to these robotic systems, they contribute to a smoother, more productive milking process. Efficient cows approach the robots willingly and maintain regular milking patterns, allowing the robots to operate at peak performance. This results
- [Streamlining Service with Lely Compass: A Major Upgrade for Lely Center Mid-Atlantic](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/08/01/streamlining-service-with-lely-compass-a-major-upgrade-for-lely-center-mid-atlantic/) - The Lely Astronaut collects an astounding 135 different data points during each milking session. On a single robot farm averaging 170 milkings per day, that translates to 22,680 distinct data sets daily! While our customers utilize the Horizon software to manage this data, we at Lely Center Mid-Atlantic needed an efficient system for our operations.
- [Measuring Reproductive Performance with Lely Robotics](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/07/01/measuring-reproductive-performance-with-lely-robotics/) - Reproductive Performance in Robots Lely robots, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, have transformed the way dairy farmers approach reproductive management. The robots monitor each cow's behavior, meticulously detecting signs of heat. This real-time data allows for precise timing of insemination, increasing the likelihood of successful conception. Moreover, robots offer increased reproductive efficiency. This not only reduces
- [Embracing Innovation with Lely Certified Pre-Owned Robots](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/06/01/embracing-innovation-with-lely-certified-pre-owned-robots/) - June marks Dairy Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of dairy farmers and the vital role dairy products play in our diets. As we honor the hard work and dedication of dairy farmers, it's also an opportune moment to explore innovations in the industry, such as automated milking systems. Lely robotic milkers have revolutionized
- [Optimizing Milk Quality with Lely: SCC Troubleshooting and Environmental Management Strategies for Dairy Farmers Utilizing Robots](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/05/01/optimizing-milk-quality-with-lely-scc-troubleshooting-and-environmental-management-strategies-for-dairy-farmers-utilizing-robots/) - When Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and Preliminary Incubation (PI) levels rise on dairy farms, pinpointing the source of the issue becomes paramount for effective troubleshooting. Elevated SCC and PI values can indicate potential problems on the farm, ranging from udder health issues to suboptimal milking practices or environmental factors. Identifying the root cause requires a
- [Taking the Leap: Your Guide to Embracing Lely Robotic Solutions](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/04/01/taking-the-leap-your-guide-to-embracing-lely-robotic-solutions/) - I recently had a chat with a farmer who was feeling a bit overwhelmed. He was mulling over the idea of going robotic but didn’t quite know where to begin. Should he hunt down a builder first, chat with the bank, go scope out some farms, or perhaps think of something entirely different? My response
- [The Power of Maintenance: How Lely Center Mid-Atlantic is Redefining Service Excellence](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/03/01/the-power-of-maintenance-how-lely-center-mid-atlantic-is-redefining-service-excellence/) - In the world of robotic dairy farming, where every minute counts and every cow's well-being is paramount, ensuring the smooth operation of robotic systems is more than just a priority—it's a necessity. At Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, we understand the critical role maintenance plays in achieving optimal performance, efficiency, and, ultimately, profitability for our customers. That's
- [How to Raise High Performing Calves During the Winter Months with the Lely Calm](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/02/01/how-to-raise-high-performing-calves-during-the-winter-months-with-the-lely-calm/) - Raising dairy calves is no easy task, and doing so during the extremes of cold and heat can cause added challenges. That’s where the Lely Calm automatic calf feeder steps in, making the management of calves during these trying times less daunting for both the farmer and the calf. By now, we all know the
- [Securing Robotic Milking Sucess: Preparing Years in Advance](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2024/01/02/securing-robotic-milking-sucess-preparing-years-in-advance/) - Welcome to Lely Center Mid-Atlantic's January blog post! I'm Justin Ayers, and I joined the team in June 2023 with a diverse background in the dairy industry, including experience as a herd manager on a 2,700 head dairy, repro tech specialist, farm machinery salesman, and now, a capital salesman for Lely Center Mid-Atlantic. Today, we're
- [How Much Do You Love Your Lely Robot?](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2023/12/01/how-much-do-you-love-your-lely-robot/) - “What is the life expectancy of a Lely robot?” One of my favorite questions that I get asked frequently. My answer? "How much do you love your robot?" If the shoes you wore on your feet every day had a hole in them, but you needed to use them to get from point A to
- [Vector Month at Lely Center Mid-Atlantic](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2023/11/01/vector-month-at-lely-center-mid-atlantic/) - Welcome to Vector Month at Lely Center Mid-Atlantic! As November kicks off, and we prepare to indulge in some of the year's finest cuisine, have you ever considered who's taking care of your cows' feast? We all have tales of when someone different takes charge of mixing feed and doesn't quite follow the ration as
- [Welcoming Kayla Brody: A New Star on the Lely Center Mid-Atlantic Team](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2023/10/06/welcoming-kayla-brody-a-new-star-on-the-lely-center-mid-atlantic-team/) - At Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, we're excited to introduce the newest member of our team, Kayla Brody. With her impressive background in dairy science and a passion for agriculture that shines through, Kayla is joining us as a Junior Farm Management Support (FMS) Specialist. Kayla recently graduated from Virginia Tech, where she earned her bachelor's degree
- [Introducing: The New and Improved Lely Juno J2](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2022/10/01/introducing-the-new-and-improved-lely-juno-j2/) - Almost 15 years ago, the first automatic feed pusher on the market was installed in the Netherlands, the Lely Juno. For many years, farmers have saved time and improved feed efficiency with the Lely Juno 100 and 150. As of today, there is an install base of over 13,000 Juno’s worldwide. Beginning production in September
- [Lely Horizon Update](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2022/08/01/lely-horizon-update/) - In early July, Lely released Horizon for Vector farms. Lely Center Mid-Atlantic Vector customers are finally in the process of transitioning to Horizon. Our Vector customers will find exciting features on Horizon like the addition of a widget on the dashboard showing a graph of dry matter intakes, as well as the kitchen set-up
- [June at Lely Center Mid-Atlantic](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2022/07/01/june-at-lely-center-mid-atlantic/) - June was a busy month for Lely Center Mid-Atlantic. Amos Fisher made his way to Pella, Iowa for the grand opening of Lely’s new production facility. The celebration included 350 people from Lely Center’s all over North America. Chad Huyser, President of Lely North America, said “with the opening of this new campus, Lely’s goals
- [Lely Solutions Help Manage the Effects of Heat Stress](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2022/06/01/lely-solutions-help-manage-the-effects-of-heat-stress/) - To the delight of some and dread of others, summer is almost officially here. In our dairy world, that means we’re preparing for heat-stressed cows and potentially a drop-off in herd milk production. A well-managed farm likely has measures in place to mitigate the effects of heat stress like sprinklers, fans, and curtains, but have
- [Lely Center Mid-Atlantic Stress Test](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2022/05/01/lely-center-mid-atlantic-stress-test/) - If you’ve ever watched the show Bar Rescue featuring Jon Taffer, you are familiar with the stress test he puts bars through to max out their capabilities and see how they do under pressure. I haven’t seen Jon in any of our barns lately, but there’s no way to describe the last few weeks of
- [Understanding Lely Horizon Indexes](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2022/04/01/understanding-lely-horizon-indexes/) - One of my favorite features in Lely Horizon are the various cow indexes. These indexes can be accessed from your Horizon dashboard by selected Cow Index from the Reproductions Prediction widget. Horizon aims to simplify and organize the data that’s available to Lely Users to make it less overwhelming- the cow indexes are a great
- [Learn with Lely: Pineview Farm](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2022/03/03/learn-with-lely-pineview-farm/) - Join us on March 16th for a learning session with Lely! Time: 10:30am -2:00pm Address: 248 Stoney Lane, Lancaster PA RSVP: www.lely.com/pineview What better place to learn about Lely Solutions than seeing them work in the barn! Join us at 10:30am for an information session where you’ll learn from Lely Center Mid-Atlantic Sales Specialist, Amos
- [How Much Does It Cost to Operate a Lely Robot?](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2022/02/01/how-much-does-it-cost-to-operate-a-lely-robot/) - How much does it cost to operate a Lely Robot? This is a great question, and it’s one we hear all the time from prospects who are in the research phase. In general, Lely says you should expect an operating cost of about $7,000 per robot per year. Some years are going to be
- [What Kind of Robot Farmer Could You Be?](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2022/01/01/what-kind-of-robot-farmer-could-you-be/) - At this point in the game, you probably know a little something about robotic milking. You might know a little bit about the machine, about different machines available, and some of the advantages of each. Have you dared to dream about how robots might fit into your operation? Are you a new robot
- [Time is Running Out to Sign up for the Northeast Vector Tour](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/12/01/time-is-running-out-to-sign-up-for-the-northeast-vector-tour/) - If you haven’t already heard, Lely North America is hosting the Northeast Vector Tour on December 14 and 15 at three of Lely Center Mid-Atlantic’s Vector farms. Participants will meet at the Holiday Inn East in Harrisburg, PA. There will be lunch and fellowship at the hotel beginning at 11:30am on Tuesday, December 14 with
- [Lely Experience Brings our Customers Peace of Mind](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/11/01/lely-experience-brings-our-customers-peace-of-mind/) - This October, I was sitting in a meeting with our team at Lely Center Mid-Atlantic and everyone was going around the table introducing themselves to a new hire at Lely North America and announcing how many years they have worked with Fisher & Thompson. There were seven people in that meeting. Can you guess how
- [It is Time to Prepare For Lely Horizon](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/10/01/it-is-time-to-prepare-for-lely-horizon/) - Lely Center Mid-Atlantic is happy to introduce to you Lely Horizon, the next step towards a bright future in the automation of the dairy farm which Lely presented at the Lely Future Farm days in early October. This future is about creating knowledge from data, and making your life easier, your animals healthier and your
- [A Conversation Around Robot Repairs](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/09/14/a-conversation-around-robot-repairs/) - The July 19, 2021, issue of Progressive Dairy contained an article from Ian Gallacher titled Robot repairs: The solution or the problem? The article brought to light many great points about troubleshooting and servicing robots. As a Lely Center Manager, I felt called to respond to the article. The balance of service is something
- [Upcoming Lely Center Mid-Atlantic Events](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/08/01/upcoming-lely-center-mid-atlantic-events/) - Lely Center Mid-Atlantic invites you to meet our team and see the Lely product line at these upcoming events this fall: Ag Progress Days: August 10th-12th. Lely Center Mid-Atlantic will be joining Fisher & Thompson in booth D303. Swing through to meet our sales representatives and schedule and to schedule an appointment at your farm!
- [How we Partner with Lely North America](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/07/01/how-we-partner-with-lely-north-america/) - This month we are featuring a blog from Lely North America's Aftermarket Field Specialist, Doug Marty, as he describes a day in the life of working with our Lely Center. As part of being an Aftermarket Field Specialist with the Lely North American team, I get a chance to work one-on-one with personnel from the
- [What's Shaking at Lely Center Mid-Atlantic](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/06/02/whats-shaking-at-lely-center-mid-atlantic/) - This month, FMS Specialist Abbie Rose spent some time at one of our Vector farms using the Penn State Shaker Box to collect data on Vector performance. The farm she was analyzing recently added an additional Mixing Feeding Robot (MFR) with a high-speed mixing auger, so it was time to review how the Vector was
- [April Vector Training](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/05/01/april-vector-training/) - This April two of our newest service technicians, Cortney Hostetter and Joshua Fria, traveled to Pella, Iowa to participate in Lely’s Vector Install/ Vector Service Level 1 training. The two spent the week on the Lely campus where they got to see the ins and outs of Lely’s North American operations. In a mix of
- [What to Expect at Our Open House](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/04/01/what-to-expect-at-our-open-house/) - If you have not already heard, we are hosting an Open House on April 7th at Oakleigh Farm. Oakleigh Farm has a rich history, from installing the first parlor in their county, to overcoming a barn fire, and now to being Pennsylvania’s first-ever Lely Red Barn. For all the information and to RSVP, please visit
- [4 Traits of a Successful Robotic Dairy Owner](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/03/01/4-traits-of-a-successful-robotic-dairy-owner/) - Thinking about robots? Start here by measuring yourself against these 4 traits which make up a successful robotic dairyman or woman: 1. Technology-minded When you picture the owner of a robotic dairy farm, you probably picture a younger person with a smartphone in-hand who knows how to Zoom his cousin in the next state over.
- [We Needed to Address This](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/02/01/we-needed-to-address-this/) - “Do you work for Lely or Fisher & Thompson?” It is a question we hear often when meeting new people or working with new customers. With more eyes on Lely Center Mid-Atlantic and Fisher & Thompson, Inc. than ever this year, we thought we would take the opportunity to explain. Lely Center Mid-Atlantic is the
- [Three Keys to a Successful Lely Start-up](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2021/01/01/three-keys-to-a-successful-lely-start-up/) - Starting up your Lely robots is one of the most crucial steps to long-term successful robotic milking. Follow these three steps and you will be on the fast track to a problem free start-up. 1. Know T4C I always tell our customers I want them to be an expert in T4C before start-up so that
- [A Surprising End to 2020](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/12/01/a-surprising-end-to-2020/) - Each year we try to recognize the highlights of the year for our December blog post. 2020 has been a weird year to say the least, and at first, we thought it was going to be difficult to find the positives of this year. Upon deeper reflection, we have a lot to celebrate. Our health:
- [What is on Lely's Horizon](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/11/01/what-is-on-lelys-horizon/) - If you missed the excitement coming out of Lely’s Future Farm Days last month, you missed the announcement of a sensational new program relevant to current and future customers, Lely Horizon. Horizon is Lely’s new herd management solution which will be replacing T4C in spring of 2021. You may be thinking, “Wow, that’s great! And
- [So, You Made it Through Start-up, Now What?](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/10/01/so-you-made-it-through-start-up-now-what/) - The most straightforward way to use the collect cow list is to sort by the time away. We recommend fetching all cows who have not visited the robot in 12 hours. If you have the time, you can begin to cherry pick from there. The interval exceed column tells you how far over her allowed
- [Dairy Data: Taking The "End" Out of End-user](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/09/01/dairy-data-taking-the-end-out-of-end-user/) - Flip through any dairy magazine these days and you will find yourself in a sea of buzzwords regarding the advancement of technology: Internet of Things, Analytics, Digital Disruption, to name a few. Progressive Dairy has an entire section of their magazine dedicated to the latest input from technology experts. If you find yourself reading this
- [The Most Valuable Robot Tool](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/08/01/the-most-valuable-robot-tool/) - With 125 data points gathered at every milking, it may be hard to pick a favorite and say which is the most valuable to have. Luckily, we don’t have to pick just one parameter to look at thanks to the Health Report. Having said that, we do have one optional tool that I wouldn’t want
- [The 2020 Whirlwind and its Effect on Lely Center Mid-Atlantic](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/07/01/the-2020-whirlwind-and-its-effect-on-lely-center-mid-atlantic/) - If you would have asked me in March if I thought I would be writing a blog post in July about how busy we are, I would not have believed you. 2020 has been full of surprises, to say the least. We started off 2020 extremely hopeful, as were many others. We were hopeful
- [The FMS Tip You Need to Know About](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/06/01/the-fms-tip-you-need-to-know-about/) - As you have seen in my recent blog posts, we have been doing a lot of work with the VaDia on our farms since January. One key parameter the VaDia allows us to easily identify is the occurrence of bimodal milk let downs. In layman’s terms, a bimodal milking event is when the cow is
- [Our Next Project is Not an A5](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/05/01/our-next-project-is-not-an-a5/) - We are looking forward to welcoming the Brake family into our Lely Center Mid-Atlantic group with their addition of the Lely Vector which will be installed in the coming months. The Brake family owns and operates Oakleigh Farm in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania where they milk 120 cows and farm 400 acres. After being interested in automation
- [What COVID-19 Means for our Customers](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/04/01/what-covid-19-means-for-our-customers/) - We know you’re probably tired of talking about COVID-19, but it feels important and necessary to address how this virus is impacting current customers and prospects. We always talk about labor issues being reduced with robots, but I don’t think many people considered the health aspect of less labor on farm before recent times. In
- [A Small Tool Making a Big Impact](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/03/01/a-small-tool-making-a-big-impact/) - In my October 2019 blog post, I introduced Lely’s new Aftermarket Specialist team. I wrote of their focus, specialties and some of the various tools they have access to. One of the tools I mentioned is the VaDia, a vacuum diagnostics tool. I mentioned we were so impressed with the benefits of the tool, we
- [You Won't Want to Miss This](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/02/01/you-wont-want-to-miss-this/) - We are thrilled to unveil the most ambitious tour Lely has ever created. The Red Cow Revolution Tour. This will be the single most exclusive tour of the year hosted by Lely North America. With limited spots available, participants will spend three days traveling to seven different robotic dairies throughout Wisconsin. This invaluable opportunity gives
- [Road to 100 Robots](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2020/01/02/road-to-100-robots/) - In late fall of 2018, Lely Center Mid-Atlantic released a campaign called Road to 100 Robots. We announced our plan to raffle off a brand new UTV once we hit 100 robots sold to any customer who helped us accomplish the achievement by purchasing a robot. This campaign was created solely to give back to
- [The Power of Pause](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/12/02/the-power-of-pause/) - As we enter the Holiday season, we recognize that this is the perfect time of year to pause and reflect on all of our blessings and all that we are grateful for. I personally feel blessed to be part of a company that believes we should do the same in our professional life. In November,
- [Why Lely Created a New Division](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/10/31/why-lely-created-a-new-division/) - Five years ago, most robotic milking companies were focusing on getting the technology perfect so that the milking unit would attach to a cow’s udder. There was talk about who could do it fastest, most accurately, and with little failure. There were robots staged side by side to see who could do it best. It
- [The Hidden Gem of the Lely Product Line](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/09/30/the-hidden-gem-of-the-lely-product-line/) - The most underutilized product in the Lely product line with the quickest return on investment: The Lely Vector. Lely Center Mid-Atlantic installed the first Vector system in the United States in 2014 and can speak firsthand to its benefits. We have seen it transform over the years and continually become more accurate and advanced. In
- [We Want YOU to Join Our Team](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/08/30/we-want-you-to-join-our-team/) - Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, a division within Fisher & Thompson, Inc., is in search of a knowledgeable and self-motivated candidates to fulfill two open positions: Capital Sales Specialist and Technical Support Specialist. Join the most up and coming sector of agriculture and a dedicated team of individuals who are passionate about providing solutions for farmers with
- [We Needed This Training](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/08/01/we-needed-this-training/) - Earlier this month we were joined by Kevin Bender, a member of the Lely North America TSS team, who held a service training on the A5 Astronaut at our soon-to-be started six robot A5 farm. We spent the day reviewing the ins and outs of the robot, focusing on the differences between the A5 and
- [The Future of Precision Farming](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/07/01/the-future-of-precision-farming/) - Last month I had the privilege of attending the Precision Dairy Farming Conference with my co-worker, Amos Fisher, in Rochester, Minnesota. With over 20 countries in attendance, the meeting covered the most relevant research in today’s precision dairy technology from across the world, as well as speculations of what the future of our industry may
- [A Season of Start-Ups](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/06/03/a-season-of-start-ups/) - Like most FMS Specialists, start-up is one area I am particularly passionate about. For me, it’s more than the importance of a smooth transition and getting the cows (and the people!) off to the best possible start. I’m passionate because I’ve experienced start-up from the farm perspective. During the summer of my sophomore year of
- [Six Visionary Ideas You Missed at the 2019 FMS Conference](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/05/01/six-visionary-ideas-you-missed-at-the-2019-fms-conference/) - Every other year, Lely North America hosts a large conference for all Level 1 & 2 Farm Management Support Specialists. This year’s meeting of the minds was held in April in Ottawa, Canada. The event is a wonderful time to network with colleagues and exchange ideas. With a main theme being the future of the
- [2018 Did Something Amazing for our Lely Farms](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/04/01/2018-did-something-amazing-for-our-lely-farms/) - What comes to most people’s minds when they think of the dairy industry in 2018? Low milk price. Depression (in both the business and mental form). Farms going out of business. A surplus of milk. The list goes on. That’s not what I think about. I think about all the positive outcomes that
- [To Change or Not to Change: Milk Access](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/03/01/784/) - I’m proud to brag that many of our farmers are now comfortable with understanding and making changes to their milk access table. This is a small victory for myself, being their FMS Specialist. The milk access table should be evaluated at least once each season, or as you have big shifts in production and free
- [7-Year-Old Robot Farmer: This One’s for You](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/02/01/7-year-old-robot-farmer-this-ones-for-you/) - Dear Farmer, You installed your robot in 2012- maybe even earlier. If you were in Pennsylvania, you were on the cutting edge of those making the leap to robotic milking. You probably felt some bumps along the way throughout the process, bumps that have long since been smoothed out. Maybe you have an A3 robot
- [The Greatest Lely Trip Ever](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2019/01/02/the-greatest-lely-trip-ever/) - Last month we had the pleasure of traveling with four Pennsylvania farmers to tour five different Lely farms. Our first stop was at Rivendale Farms in Pittsburgh, PA. From there we traveled to Kentucky and visited the four remaining farms. Rivendale Farms: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania You may be familiar with this farm! Lely Center Mid-Atlantic
- [November: We Almost Had a Problem](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/12/03/november-we-almost-had-a-problem/) - Each year in January we hold a Farmers Service training. Our goal is to enable farmers to reduce service costs and allow them to feel confident in fixing minor repairs and diagnosing robot issues. While a lot of learning always takes place, the greatest benefit is being able to interact with other farmers
- [The Ever-Changing World of Milking Robots](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/11/01/the-ever-changing-world-of-milking-robots/) - Preservation. Noun. The act of keeping something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from getting damaged or destroyed. Preservation-the word I’d use if I had to choose just one word to reflect the dairy industry this year. When farms think about preservation, they may think in terms of transition planning, securing
- [What I Didn't Know a Month Ago](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/10/01/what-i-didnt-know-a-month-ago/) - Last month I had the pleasure of joining my fellow FMS Specialists from the surrounding regions in Rochester, New York to attend the Farm Management Support Level 3 training. The training was a specialized class that focused on customer care through relationship management. I enjoyed the training and the chance to connect with robot experts
- [Why Lely Went Yellow](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/09/04/why-lely-went-yellow/) - Earlier this week, Lely, formally identified in red, came out with a daring new yellow logo. Should we be expecting yellow robots now? The short answer is no. Lely turned yellow in celebration of their “Yellow Revolution” announcement on Wednesday, August 29th. Since 2005, Lely has announced a Yellow Revolution each time they showcase
- [A Bright Future in Farming](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/08/01/a-bright-future-in-farming/) - Last month, I had the pleasure of meeting Joey and Tom from the Netherlands. Joey’s family put in three Astronaut A4 robots and one Vector with a feed kitchen two and half years ago. We were connected through Lely International, after they reached out with interest in seeing
- [Optimize Your Lely Astronaut Feed Tables](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/07/01/optimize-your-lely-astronaut-feed-tables/) - As a Farm Management Support (FMS) Specialist for Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, I analyze feed tables and associated graphs for our farms. When I began the FMS duties, I was surprised by how many farms said they rarely look at their feed tables. I think a lot of farms don’t feel comfortable with the tables or
- [Catching up with Start-up Farms](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/06/01/catching-up-with-start-up-farms/) - If you follow our Facebook page, you know that the months of February and March were packed full of exciting start-ups. Now that our new farms have had the chance to settle into a routine, I asked them to reflect upon their experiences so far. Kendall Byers of Racoon Valley Dairy (RVD) started up
- [St. Brigid's Farm Open House](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/05/31/st-brigids-farm-open-house/) - We had the pleasure of joining St. Brigid's Farm on May 26 & 27, 2018 for their open house in Kennedyville, Maryland.
- [Lely: Making the Best Better](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/05/01/lely-making-the-best-better/) - Four years ago, I had the pleasure of interning on a 120 cow dairy formerly known as Cannon Cattle Ranch in Johnsonville, New York. The farm was milking in a flat bed parlor and retrofitted into two A4 robots the summer I worked there. Performing the herdsman duties for the farm, I got my first
- [March On](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/04/02/march-on/) - Editor’s note: This month I felt the deadline of the blog post approaching with a heavy weight on my chest. What are you supposed to write about at a time like this in the dairy industry? What is the best approach? Should I ignore it and try to write a sales-like blog post? Should I
- [So You Asked For a Free Robot...](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/03/01/so-you-asked-for-a-free-robot/) - How many times have we been at a farm show or in the farming public and asked some sort of leading question such as, “Have you ever thought about robots for your farm?” and gotten the response, “Yea maybe when they make them free!”, or “Hi, would you like to sign up for this raffle?”,
- [Keystone Farm Show in Review](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/02/02/keystone-farm-show-in-review/) - “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Albert Einstein We made many changes to our Lely Center Mid-Atlantic booth this year at the Keystone Farm Show in an effort to try something different. The first to change was our booth design. After polling the “Lely
- [S.M.A.R.T. F.A.R.M. Goals](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2018/01/02/s-m-a-r-t-f-a-r-m-goals/) - I may lack points for originality, but I think January is a wonderful time to do some planning for the year ahead regarding goals for your farm. In school, we are trained to always ask a farmer what his goals are before we do anything else on a farm visit. All too often, this simple
- [25 Days of Thankfulness](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2017/12/01/25-days-of-thankfulness/) - In honor of the Christmas count-down, I decided to ask Lely farmers what they are most thankful for regarding robots. See below, for our Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, 25 days of robot-thankfulness! “Flexibility in my personal life and schedule.” “It has made me a better manager; I am more technical minded and data driven.” “I don’t
- [Follow Our Start-up!](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2017/11/09/follow-our-start-up/) - Hemsarth Dairy LLC is a 4-robot retrofit which is projected to start the robots in January 2018. The farm is managed by Greg Hemsarth and his dad, Bruce. Together with their family, they also own and operate Purple Cow Winery in Bloomsburg, PA. We will be following their start-up to give you a front row
- [Hemsarth Dairy LLC](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2017/11/09/hemsarth-dairy-llc/) - To learn more about the Hemsarth family as they transition to their 4 robots, see their blog post: "Follow Our Start-up!" To see pictures of the farm, click on the following photo.
- [Welcome to Lely Center Mid-Atlantic](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2017/10/24/welcome-to-lely-center-mid-atlantic/) - Wow! Our very first blog post. This may not seem like a big deal to new audiences, but to current customers, there is a lot changing in the Lely world within Fisher & Thompson! To start, we have transformed into Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, which was formally referred to fondly as the Lely Team at Fisher &
- [Lewis & Amy Horning](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2017/10/27/lewis-amy-horning/) - Q). How long have you been milking with your A3 robot? A). 7 years, going on 8! Q). What made you decide to put robots in? A). The reduction of labor drew us to the robots, as well as the flexibility that allows for more family time. Q). In 2016, you were ranked #6 in
- [Jeff Balmer](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2017/10/27/jeff-balmer/) - Stoney Path Farm Features 2 Astronaut A4's in a unique "L" shaped design. Q) How long have you been milking in your 2 robots? A). We are in our sixth year with the Lely Robots. The calf born the day before we moved everyone into the barn is now dry with her 4th calf on
- [Jake Rogers](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/2017/10/27/jake-rogers/) - Jake transitioned back to the farm after leaving a position as an architectural engineer when the decision was made to put in robots. Q). What have been some of the biggest differences between before and after milking your cows with robots? A). Who was managing the cows, to start! My dad was managing the

## Pages

- [Meet the Team](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/meet-the-team/) - Abbie Rose: Lely Center Mid-Atlantic General Manager Abbie Rose, a Virginia Tech alumna with a bachelor's degree in Dairy Science, joined Fisher & Thompson in July 2016. Starting as a Farm Management Support Specialist, she has grown within the company to become the General Manager of the Lely Center Mid-Atlantic division. In her role, Abbie
- [About Us](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/about-us/) - Hello and welcome! We’re excited to introduce you to the official blog of Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, your regional Lely dealer and a proud division of Fisher & Thompson, Inc. Since 2008, we’ve been serving dairy farms across Pennsylvania and Maryland with top-of-the-line Lely automation solutions. To date, we’ve sold 145 robots to 56 valued customers throughout
- [Warranty Submission Form for Parts Returned](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/warranty-submission-form-for-parts-returned/)
- [Contact Us](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/contact-us/) - Main Office: 100 Newport Rd Leola, PA 17540 t: (717) 656-3307
- [Farm Pictures](https://www.lelycentermidatlantic.com/index.php/farmer-pictures/) - Click on the following pictures to explore some of our farms! Galen Nolt and Family: Westview Farm, Peach Bottom, PA: " order_by="sortorder" order_direction="ASC" returns="included" maximum_entity_count="500"] Eugene Iager, Walkersville Maryland: " order_by="sortorder" order_direction="ASC" returns="included" maximum_entity_count="500"] Dustin Wilcox and family: Pineton Farm, Russell, PA: " order_by="sortorder" order_direction="ASC" returns="included" maximum_entity_count="500"] James Campbell, Clear Springs, MD: " order_by="sortorder" order_direction="ASC"

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