DairyVue 360 – Smarter Dairy Management at Your Fingertips Modern dairy farming is evolving at…
Customer Story: The Engelbrecht Family Farm
Customer Story: Milking Efficiently with a Dairymaster Swing-Over Parlour
At the Engelbrecht family farm in Bokholt-Hanredder, Germany, dairy farming has been a way of life since 1972. The farm has been run by the Engelbrecht family, and today it continues to operate as a family partnership supported by a dedicated team. With 225 milking cows and nearly 500 animals in total, the farm runs a busy operation that requires efficiency, reliability, and a calm environment for both cows and staff. To support this, the Engelbrechts installed a Dairymaster 2×20 swing-over milking parlour in 2006, a system that continues to serve the farm well nearly two decades later.
The Engelbrecht farm combines family tradition with a professional workforce. Alongside the family members running the business, the farm employs three staff members, four apprentices, and several part-time workers. Because the herd is milked three times per day, the team relies on a milking system that can keep up with the demands of their daily schedule where efficiency is essential.
Choosing the Right Milking System
When the Engelbrechts began planning for a new milking system, they visited several farms and looked at different manufacturers. However, one thing quickly became clear.
“We knew quite quickly that we wanted a swing-over parlour. After that, we compared different manufacturers. All manufacturers wanted to sell us a parlour, and that was reflected in the price. In the end, we chose the manufacturer with the most experience.”
That experience led them to Dairymaster, known for its experience with high-line milking, ensuring optimal cluster positioning and efficient milk-out.
Calm, Fast and Efficient Milking
Today, the Engelbrechts describe their milking routine as calm and efficient. The parlour allows cows to remain relaxed throughout the milking process. According to the family, observing the cows themselves tells an important part of the story.
“You should watch the cows from the front. They enjoy the milking process and calmly continue chewing their cud. The milking clusters hang securely under the cows and rarely fall off, even with shorter or thinner teats. This ensures consistent milking performance and reliable milk-out and efficient, fast milking.”
Maintaining Excellent Udder Health
Animal health remains a top priority on the Engelbrecht farm. Since installing the parlour, the herd’s udder health has remained stable, and over time the farm has achieved even better results.
“In recent years, our somatic cell count has decreased significantly, now usually staying below 100,000. Combined with an average annual milk yield of 13,500 kg per cow, we continue to achieve strong production results while maintaining herd health.”
Advice for Farmers Considering a New Parlour
Based on their own experience, the Engelbrechts encourage other farmers to take a thorough and practical approach when choosing a milking system.
“We think every farmer should ask themselves: do you want to be finished milking at some point during the day, or do you want to be milking 24/7? If you want to be finished at some point, then choose a milking parlour.
We recommend visiting other farms and seeing different systems in action and make sure you test multiple manufacturers before making a decision. We also think it’s important to look at the whole picture, not just the technology, but also durability, efficiency and experience. We also really recommend to keep close attention to the cows and their behaviour. How does the herd seem, are they calm, do they walk into the parlour themselves, do they seem happy and relaxed during the milking process.”
A Clear Choice for the Future
Nearly twenty years after installing their Dairymaster parlour, the Engelbrecht family remains highly satisfied with their decision.:
“We are very happy with our parlour from Dairymaster. For us the combination of reliability, efficiency, cow comfort and the proven experience makes Dairymaster the right choice for us. They really know what they are doing and make our job easier and more enjoyable. We would again buy the same parlour if it was needed, but our parlour is still perfect.”
Looking Ahead
Like many dairy farmers in Europe, the Engelbrechts face challenges from changing regulations and pressure from the retail sector. Yet despite these challenges, the future of the farm looks promising. And the next generation is already preparing to take over.
“We are happy that our son is highly motivated and wants to continue the farm.”
With strong family commitment and the right technology in place, the Engelbrecht farm is well positioned to continue producing high-quality milk for many years to come.
Related Posts
