For Steven Van Parys, dairy farming is about maximizing milk production while optimizing time management. To achieve this, he has embraced automation at every level—milking robots, automated manure scraping, bedding dispensers, and an innovative feed system.
Steven and Fien Van Parys took over the family farm in 2018, located in Machelen, southwest of Ghent in Flanders, Belgium. Together, they have doubled the herd size and focused on dairy production.
Key figures of the Van Parys farm
- Labor: 2 full-time equivalents (Steven and Fien)
- Land: 100 hectares
- 30 ha maize silage
- 30 ha cover crops
- 18 ha permanent pasture
- 15 ha mowed grassland
- 5 ha potatoes
- 2 ha cauliflower (for processing)
- Herd Size: 360 Livestock Units (240 dairy cows and 120 heifers, Prim’Holstein breed)
- Milk Production (2022): 1.35 million liters (11,500 kg of milk per cow annually)
- Fat content: 3.9%
- Protein content: 3.5%
- Additional Operations:
- A pig farming unit
- A 22 kW biogas co-generation plant, providing 95% of the farm’s electricity needs
A farm typical of Flanders
Belgium’s agriculture varies significantly between Flanders and Wallonia. Farms in Flanders tend to be intensive, operating on smaller land areas but with high productivity:
| Metric | Flanders | Wallonia |
|---|---|---|
| Average farm size (ha) | 26.9 | 58.2 |
| Dairy cows per 100 ha | 54.4 | 25.2 |
| Beef cattle per 100 ha | 23.3 | 30.9 |
In Flanders, the density of livestock has driven a 30% increase in dairy production over the past decade, while Wallonia’s output has stagnated. The Van Parys farm earns approximately €550 per 1,000 liters of milk, a testament to its efficient practices.
With limited land availability—due to soaring prices of €100,000/ha—collaboration among farmers is crucial. Exchanges of manure and forage help alleviate nitrate pressure caused by high herd densities.
Focusing on cows by saving time
After their initial expansion in 2018, Steven and Fien recently completed a second barn, bringing the herd of milked cows to 240. The extra cows were purchased as a complete herd from Germany. The couple emphasizes family labor, hiring seasonal workers only during peak periods.
“To manage everything, we’ve chosen to automate as much as possible, especially repetitive and time-consuming tasks. This lets us focus on what truly matters: the cows,” Steven explains. Data collected from automated systems is a key tool for herd management.
Herd Genetics and Management
- Calvings occur year-round
- Calving interval: 402 days
- First calving age: 25 months
- Average cow age: 4.6 years
- Replacement rate: 15%
A new nursery was also built to improve calf rearing. Heifers are sent to a specialized farm at 5 months and return at 22–23 months for calving at 25 months.
Automation at Work
Robotic Milking
Two GEA milking robots are installed in both barns. The layout includes guided traffic with anti-return barriers. This design keeps cows standing for about an hour post-milking, reducing stress and minimizing udder health issues like mastitis.
Manure and Bedding
Flanders regulations prohibit slatted floors to reduce ammonia emissions, so the barns feature solid floors scraped automatically several times a day. The manure is processed in the farm’s biogas plant. Bedding is also automated, with plans to use the solid fraction of digestate for bedding material.
Feeding System
The standout feature of the farm’s automation is its feeding system, which Steven designed. Rather than using a conventional feeding robot, a conveyor belt above the feed trough distributes the mixed ration.
Here’s how it works:
- Ingredients (maize, grass, pulp, brewers’ grains, corn cobs) are stored in five containers, with concentrates in separate silos.
- These ingredients are delivered to a stationary mixer.
- The mixed ration is transported via the overhead conveyor to the feed trough, which is accessible from both sides.
This system cost approximately €80,000 but saved on building costs by eliminating the need for wide feed alleys. The system distributes feed eight times daily and allows separate rations for each barn. Feeding costs are €270 per 1,000 liters of milk.
A €3 Million Investment
Since 2018, the couple has invested €3 million in their dairy operation, covering buildings, equipment, automation, and the purchase of additional cows. They aim to fully recoup their investment within 10 years, despite a 15-year bank loan.
Future plans include building new silos for maize and grass silage. For Steven and Fien, each improvement is a step closer to their goal: producing as much milk as possible while maintaining a healthy and efficient herd.
