“I was looking for ways to work even more efficiently”
240 cows
Eleven times a day, Moov delivers roughage to Marc Sanders’ open shed in Kalmthout (Belgium). He milks 240 cows using four robots. The upshot: higher production, a huge savings in labor and peace and quiet in the shed.
Sanders bought the Moov in September 2016. “I was looking for ways to work even more efficiently. Now that the milk quota has been abolished, the trick is to produce as much as milk as possible per lying stall, with as little as possible labor.”
Fat and protein
And it worked. The arrival of the Moov resulted almost immediately in better production. Sanders: “Within two milking sessions, fat and protein content rose by 0.05%, and after that it rose even more. I worked it out and discovered that for my company it meant that I would get my investment back within two years.”
Less labor
Apart from better production, the Moov also saves a lot in terms of labor. Sanders has succeeded in running his company together with his wife and one member of staff. It’s a relief that there is always fodder for the cows, even at night. “I no longer have to worry about it first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. And I can go to a party in the afternoon with peace of mind because I know that the fodder will always be delivered.”
Peace and quiet in the shed
The Moov makes the cows curious, so they come to the feed gate. Sanders: “Cows are creatures of habit, and they stick to their routine.” He’s noticed that the shed is quieter. “Those cows that are lower down in the pecking order also get their turn at the feed gate more easily, and that leads to better feed utilization and better production.”