Archive for DeLaval

DeLaval Moves Teat Spray Robot Production to U.S.

Learn how DeLaval’s U.S. production shift of teat spray robots enhances service for American dairy farmers. How will this change impact you? 

Summary:

DeLaval, a pioneer in dairy farming technology, has shifted the production of its advanced teat spray robot, the TSR2, from Sweden to Kansas City, Missouri, in a move designed to enhance support for North American dealers and customers through faster lead times and improved service. This shift involves significant investment in the Kansas City facility, including high-quality production standards, advanced training, and testing equipment. Fernando Cuccioli, DeLaval’s Executive Vice President for Cluster Americas, notes that the transition meets rising automation demands in dairy farming. The TSR2, recognized as the “Overall Agriculture Robotics Solution of the Year” in the 2024 AgTech Breakthrough Awards, features InSight technology ensuring up to 99% accuracy in teat spray application, automating the process in rotational milking operations. This move offers American dairy producers faster access to new technologies and enhanced service, highlighting DeLaval’s dedication to advancing the industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • DeLaval’s TSR2 production has shifted from Sweden to Kansas City, Missouri, to better serve North American customers.
  • Investment in Kansas City includes training for the assembly team and advanced testing equipment.
  • The TSR2, now produced in the U.S., has been recognized as the Overall Agriculture Robotics Solution of the Year by the 2024 AgTech Breakthrough Awards.
  • Fernando Cuccioli highlights the importance of rapid adaptation to meet farmers’ needs, especially in automation.
  • DeLaval’s Kansas City campus includes a training center and R&D lab, strengthening its long-term commitment to innovation.
  • The TSR2 uses advanced InSight technology to achieve 99% accuracy in teat spraying.
DeLaval, TSR2 production, Kansas City dairy, milking equipment innovation, American dairy producers, teat spray robot, InSight technology, agriculture robotics, dairy farming advancements, labor savings in dairy

DeLaval, a global leader in milking equipment, has recently announced the relocation of TSR2 production from Tumba, Sweden, to Kansas City, Mo. This strategic move is set to bring significant benefits to American dairy producers, including improved service, shorter lead times, and higher product quality. Fernando Cuccioli, DeLaval’s Executive Vice President of Cluster Americas, explains, “Producing the TSR2 in Kansas City allows us to respond quickly to customer needs, particularly as more farmers turn to automation for labor and operational efficiencies.” This shift is not just about a location change but about creating a future where technology and local skills combine to revolutionize dairy production. How might these improvements affect your dairy farm’s production and efficiency?

Did You Know? DeLaval’s 130-Year Legacy of Innovation 

Did you know that DeLaval’s legacy of innovation spans over 130 years? Gustaf de Laval founded the firm in 1883, and it revolutionized the dairy sector with one of the earliest cream separators. Since then, DeLaval has been a pioneer in dairy farming technologies, continuously launching advancements to make the lives of dairy producers easier and more efficient. This long-standing commitment to innovation should instill confidence in our expertise and dedication to serving you.

DeLaval’s commitment to North America runs deep. The Kansas City facility, which has operated for over 40 years, is a testament to this dedication. Initially established for light manufacturing and storage, the facility has evolved into a hub of innovation. It now houses a teaching facility and a research and development lab, contributing to advancing the dairy farming industry. This enduring connection with North America is a crucial part of our success story, and we value the pivotal role that our American partners play in our journey.

The development of the Kansas City site demonstrates DeLaval’s constant commitment to servicing the rising demands of North American dairy producers. The facility’s ongoing updates guarantee that it meets the highest standards, furthering DeLaval’s aim of providing excellent service and cutting-edge technology to farmers throughout the continent. We want you to feel comfortable and hopeful about the future, knowing that we are committed to providing you with the most excellent tools and services.

You Might Wonder, “Why Did DeLaval Decide to Move TSR2 Production to the U.S.?” 

You might wonder, “Why did DeLaval move TSR2 production to the U.S.?” Several compelling reasons drove the decision.

First and foremost, shorter lead times. By moving operations to Kansas City, DeLaval can promptly deliver goods to North American farmers. Nobody enjoys waiting for necessary equipment, mainly when operating a dairy farm properly.

Improved service is another significant element. Local manufacturing means that if you have problems with your TSR2, you won’t have to cope with the complications of international communication. TSR2-specific service professionals will be on hand to ensure that any issues are handled as soon as possible.

Then, there’s improved assistance for dealers. North American dealers will profit from having a production cluster in their neighborhood. This center will allow businesses to stock up more quickly, do live demos, and deliver more efficient solutions. In a world where time equals money, these are substantial benefits.

DeLaval’s action demonstrates its commitment to North American agriculture. This shift brings you closer to top-tier technology and service, not manufacturing.

Let’s Talk About DeLaval’s Investments in Their Kansas City Facility 

Let’s discuss DeLaval’s investments in its Kansas City location. They’ve implemented specific training sessions for the TSR2 assembly crew. Why is this important to you? This implies that their team members are professionals in building robots and ensuring that each unit meets high production standards.

DeLaval has also invested in new testing equipment. Imagine how confident you might be knowing that each TSR2 is extensively tested before it leaves the factory. This degree of quality control is more than simply meeting requirements; it is about surpassing them and providing you with a dependable product that delivers on its promises.

These intentional expenditures in training and testing are intended to provide you with peace of mind. When you purchase a TSR2, you are not just purchasing a piece of equipment but also a painstakingly created, extensively tested robot that will help your operations run more smoothly and efficiently.

Fernando Cuccioli: Swift Adaptation Is Key to Meeting Dairy Farmers’ Needs 

Fernando Cuccioli, DeLaval’s senior vice president for Cluster Americas, stressed the necessity of responding rapidly to client requests. “In today’s fast-changing dairy sector, reacting quickly to client requirements is critical. According to Cuccioli, more farmers are seeing the advantages of automation for improving labor and operational efficiency. Moving to Kansas City will address those concerns front-on, ensuring farmers get the appropriate technology assistance.

The TSR2 Teat Spray Robot: Revolutionizing Dairy Farming 

The TSR2 teat spray robot is not just another piece of machinery; it’s a game changer for dairy producers. This robotic wonder automates the pre- and post-teat spray application in rotational milking processes, ensuring consistent coverage every time. The benefits are clear-it saves time, reduces labor, and most importantly, it ensures your herd is consistently cared for.

Why does the TSR2 stand out? It features DeLaval’s cutting-edge InSight technology. This new device uses sophisticated sensors and machine learning algorithms to detect and spray cows with remarkable accuracy—up to 99 percent! Consider the time and labor savings and the peace of mind from knowing your herd is consistently cared for. These benefits should make you excited to explore the TSR2’s features and assess its potential advantages for your business.

This innovation has not gone unnoticed. The TSR2 was awarded the Overall Agriculture Robotics Solution of the Year at the 2024 AgTech Breakthrough Awards. This prestigious award recognizes the TSR2’s significant contribution to improving dairy farm efficiency and output, providing further assurance of its quality and effectiveness.

If you want to improve your milking operations, the TSR2 might be the investment that improves your dairy farm. Feel free to investigate its features and assess its possible advantages to your business.

What’s in It for American Dairy Farmers?

The relocation of TSR2 manufacturing to Kansas City is more than a business decision; it’s a game changer for American dairy producers. Imagine having faster access to new technologies without international shipment wait periods and logistical challenges. This alone amounts to reduced downtime and more milking time, directly impacting your financial line. But the benefits don’t stop there. By producing the TSR2 in-house, DeLaval can provide faster service and parts response times. If your robot breaks down, you won’t have to wait for a replacement component from Europe. Instead, your activities can resume with minimum disturbance, ensuring your operations run smoothly and efficiently.

However, the advantages extend beyond shorter lead times. By producing the TSR2 in-house, DeLaval can provide faster service and parts response times. If your robot breaks down, you won’t have to wait for a replacement component from Europe. Instead, your activities may resume with minimum disturbance.

Operational efficiency will significantly increase. The TSR2’s InSight technology provides up to 99% accuracy when finding and spraying teats. This accuracy lowers the risk of mastitis and other udder infections, resulting in healthier cows and increased milk output. Healthier cows also mean lower veterinary expenses and downtime for treatment, which adds another layer of savings.

This invention yields significant labor savings. Automation decreases dependence on manual labor, a considerable benefit in a sector with labor shortages. TSR2 allows one person to oversee a process that formerly needed numerous workers, freeing up time for other essential duties around the farm.

Finally, the move reflects the rising tendency of localizing production, which many feel contributes to national economic strength. It helps American employment and boosts trust in the agriculture technology industry.

DeLaval’s strategic move gives American dairy producers a competitive advantage by providing access to innovative technology, better service, and increased production. Are you prepared to reap these rewards for your farm?

The Bottom Line

DeLaval’s choice to relocate TSR2 manufacturing to Kansas City provides significant benefits regarding lead times, service quality, and overall support for North American dairy producers. Their significant investment in the new plant demonstrates their dedication to maintaining excellent product standards and pushing the limits of agricultural technology. With endorsements from industry leaders such as Fernando Cuccioli and recognition from the AgTech Breakthrough Awards, it is apparent that the TSR2 will significantly influence dairy operations.

As we observe the rise of automation in agriculture, one must ask how modern technology, such as the TSR2, will change dairy production. More importantly, how will firms like DeLaval shape this future landscape?

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Top Producer Panel – Robotics conference

Join seven of the top DeLaval VMS producers from North America, Europe, Oceania and Latin America as they share and build knowledge around the DeLaval integrated robotic solution and best practices for robotic milking.

Prepping calves for successful group feeding – Robotics conference

Join Dr. Bob James from Virginia Tech as he discusses how to successfully preparing and raise heifers in group housing environments. Dr James covers everything from the very start with dry cow nutrition for optimal body condition and health, through coordination of facilities and people, colostrum management, and much more. You won’t want to miss this insightful presentation by Dr James.

About The Presenter

DELAVAL - VMS2016-01-34Dr. Bob James is the dairy extension project leader in the Dept. of Dairy Science with additional responsibilities in teaching and research. He received the University Academy of Teaching Excellence Award in 2010. Bob’s research has focused on management of growing calves and heifers, and a Jersey milk replacer was developed based upon Virginia Tech studies in which he participated. Most recently, his research has focused on sanitation and management of automated calf feeding systems. He is a founding member of the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association and served as the conference chairperson several times. Bob received his B. S. degree from the University of Delaware and M.S. and Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. After two years on the faculty at West Virginia University, he returned to Virginia Tech. Bob has made presentations and consulted with calf ranches, dairies and feed companies in more than 20 U.S. states, Canada, South America , Asia and Europe.

Calf to CowSignals workshop – Robotics conference

Join Dr. Nico Vreeburg from Vetvice Barn Design as he discusses Calf to CowSignals. Rearing calves into heifers is a major investment in terms of money and labour. Your dual aims are to turn your heifer into a strong, productive dairy cow and to use labour, housing and feed efficiently. If you achieve these aims, you’ll cut the costs of rearing per kilogram of milk. From calf to heifer covers the basics of successful rearing, shows you how to control risks and helps you to structure your work so that each calf automatically receives the best treatment. From calf to heifer is full of sensible tips on how to improve the rearing of calves and yearlings.

About the Presenter

Dr. Nico Vreeburg D.V.M. qualified in 1994 from Utrecht University, Netherlands. From 1994 to 2008 he worked as a private practitioner in veterinary practice De Overlaet, in Oss (NL). This practice focuses on four-legged farm animals and has dedicated itself to preventive herd health management and animal production support, with a team of 12 fulltime veterinarians. In 1998 Nico became a partner. During the following years he more and more dedicated his professional time to dairy farm support and joined the team of Vetvice, as trainer/consultant. Within Vetvice, he participated in the development of the CowSignals® concept and co-founded Vetvice Barn Design. On January 1, 2009, Nico left De Overlaet to join the Vetvice Group as a partner.

At this moment, Nico works works fulltime within the Vetvice Group as a trainer/consultant on barn design, dairy farm management and cow management. Vetvice Barn Design is a leading consultancy on designing dairy barns for cow wellness, labor efficiency and sustainable milk production. Vetvice Future Farming consults and trains dairy farm staff on save and efficient working procedures. Vetvice CowSignals Company trains dairymen and their advisors worldwide, in the areas of CowSignals and preventive management. Vetvice is active in over 30 countries with a team of 6 veterinarians, 2 agricultural engineers and 1 office manager.

 

 

Better Decision Making by Using Technology

At an ever increasing rate new equipment and information becomes available that dairy farmers can use to advance the way in which they manage their herds. The early adopters often go out on a limb and install systems on their farms that they hope will make their operations more profitable. Making better decisions or having information that gives advance notice of potential cow problems is critical to increased herd profit.
ML - Herd_navigator_analyse_unit_and_cows_-_9675

New on the Scene

Recently the Bullvine took the opportunity to get close-in on a new piece of equipment by visiting two reference farms. This equipment is called Herd Navigator™ (HN), a product of DeLaval/FOSS, and it has just completed verification in Canada using four Ontario dairy farms. It had been developed, field tested and implemented in Europe and at the present time it is being installed commercially in additional farms in Canada.

In brief what it does is take milk samples from selected cows on selected days and, based on the analysis of the milk, provides reports for herd managers to use. As one would expect, this requires equipment for sampling (a sampler and a sorter) and testing (on-farm mini lab), computer software and linkage to the herd management software used on the farm by the herd manager, the nutritionist or the veterinarian.

VMSFullCow[1]Designed as the next tool for top herds

The focus of HN is cows in robotic and parlour herds from calving to being pregnant again. (Read more: Robotic Milking: More than just automation it’s a new style of herd managment) Nancy Charlton DVM (Nutrition & Herd Management Specialist, DeLaval Canada) started her explanation and demonstration of HN by saying that “…. lets start with the basics. A herd must have an effective cow and heifer transition program. That is a well proven fact. HN is then a tool to make very good managers even better at their job.”  That made me want to listen even harder to Dr Charlton as she very adeptly went through the various procedures and reports for HN.

CHARLTON Pictures 027Multi-Purpose Tool

HN takes a milk sample at prescribed times and provides information on four areas important to herd management and profitability. Users of the HN™ system set up Standard Operating Procedures for all four areas, reproduction, mastitis, ketosis and urea level in the milk. When results for metabolic conditions exceed owner determined levels an alarm sounds (more correctly a report is generated) notifying the herdsman. Acting before a cow becomes a problem means less cost, more production and more profit.

It is a well known fact that managing REPRODUCTION takes detailed recording, considerable staff time, is a significant expense and reduces the average revenue per cow per year. For the time period starting 30 days before the voluntary waiting period until 55 days pregnant progesterone levels are monitored on critical days. Herd managers have access to detailed reports including: changes in progesterone levels; heats and the best time to breed; prolonged post partum anestrous; follicular cysts; luteal cysts; potential pregnancy; and early embryonic loss or abortion.

Life for herd managers would be much simpler if MASTITIS did not occur. But that would be a perfect world. HN uses the milk sample to measure the enzyme Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) which is released into the milk in an affected quarter during inflammation. Increasing LDH levels are highly correlated with the increased presence of somatic cells and the early stage of subclinical mastitis.  The herd manager can choose to monitor the situation or to treat the cow immediately. At the very least the manager can look the cow up and make a visual or hands-on assessment. The creators of HN see using LDH as a more accurate way of determining the presence of mastitis. The frequency of testing cows for LDH is recommended as once per day for the first thirty days of lactation and after that it depends on the cow’s history and the herd’s standard operating practice.

The metabolic disease KETOSIS can be a thief of profit for cows by causing the loss of milk, lowering peak milk yield and cost of treatment. HN monitors the concentration of ketone bodies in a cow’ milks early in lactation. Measurements start on day four of lactation and continue until readings indicate there is a small chance of ketosis occurring. It is significant that HN reports on subclinical ketosis. Thus alerting the herd manager to take action before full blown ketosis occurs, either by altering the fresh cows diet or by treating the cow. Recent research indicates that subclinical ketosis is much more prevalent than dairymen are aware of. Potentially all herds are losing production due to subclinical ketosis and do not know it.

The final area that HN monitors is the UREA level in the milk a cow produces. This is similar to the MUN (milk urea nitrogen) service offered by CANWEST DHI but does not require that the owner wait until a milk recording test day.  As yet this part of HN may not get as much use as the three previously mentioned areas. It is important to know if protein level in the diet are too high, just right or too low. Over feeding protein, the expensive part of the ration, costs money while under feeding means a cow’s potential is not being achieved and other feed ingredients are not being fully utilized. From what I heard when speaking with the two herd owners, that I visited, this area has yet to be ‘discovered’ for use by HN owners.

In summary these four areas give herd managers the opportunity to increase the profitability of their herds from just a milk sample.

Information Provided

At any time the herd manager can go to his computer and call up any reports. HN is definitely designed for larger herds that manage cows by groups. It provides information so that individual cows within the groups can have their current problem addressed. Only problem cows need to receive the attention of the herdsman.

Sytse Heeg of Heegstee Farms commented “I only need to give my attention to cows with problems. It would not be possible for my wife and me to manage without HN. We have 110 cows milking on two robots, all the young stock and our family to attend to every day and also the field work during the summer time. We do have assistance from my father part time and a summer student.  I am so much more in control of my herd than I was before HN. And I am getting the results (profit) I wanted to get. Already 4 kgs more milk per cow per day with cows back in-calf as well as very low levels of mastitis and ketosis. In non-busy times it is even possible for us to take a vacation. But don’t forget I can remotely watch what is happening back home.”

At Elmwold Farms (Buchner Families), Jennifer is responsible for searching out the details from their 170 cow 3x herd that on the day I visited were producing, on average,  2.8 kgs (6.2 pounds) of fat & protein per day. When I visited Jennifer was on vacation so father (Chris) and brothers ( Greg and Derek) and cousin (Kevin), over a cold ice tea in the shade on a very hot summer day, described the many ways that their farm uses HN to better manage their herd. Chris Buchner provided the details.  “Our herd is focused on efficient high fat plus protein yield. That is what we are paid for kgs of fat and protein sold off-farm. But it is more than that. We were having too many cows on holidays, aka in the dry pens, too much of the time. We calve the vast majority of our heifers before two years of age so we give a bit of a break in having them calve back but the herd average calving interval is 12.6 – 12.8 months. We are running a 24% pregnancy rate, we average 2.2 inseminations per pregnancy, our reproductive cull rate has gone from 28% down to 22%, the vast majority of our cows are pregnant by 120 days into lactation and using the urea numbers we have been able to lower our TMR from 18 to 17% protein. We purchased HN to improve our daily management of cows by focusing on cows outside the norm and to use our facilities to their maximum. We will soon build additional cow housing and will give more attention to our fresh cows with one pen for fresh heifers only as we already know that they get pushed out of the feed bunk by older cows in the fresh group. We looked at using pedometers but after seeing how much more HN could do we made the decision to purchase it. We are very happy we decided to go this route. Our family operation is growing and I am proud to say that the next generation is keen to be profitable dairy farmers.”

Cost Benefit

Top notch herd managers always want to know the cost benefit of any input, service or tool. The DeLaval website suggest that using HN a herd can increase revenue by $330 US$ (250 euros) per cow per year with annual material costs of 130 US$ per cow and an equipment cost of 500 US$ per cow for a two hundred cow herd. All of these numbers do not include the savings in feed for fewer cows (milking and dry) as well as the need for less housing facilities. Definitely it does require that a herd be of sufficient size to justify the initial cost of the equipment.

Another thing about the HN system is that it  does all the work and testing thus allowing the herd manager to avoid the time to search out cows and do cow side testing. And, best of all, it does it before there is a problem not after the fact.

Muhieddine Labban (Automated Milking Systems Manager at DeLaval) sees the benefits in these ways “I like to call it return on investment with the results being: 1) accurate feeding – lower cost and waste; 2) lower cull rate; 3) lower use of antibiotics; 4) higher production per cow; 5) more effective use of the herd veterinarian; 6) higher pregnancy rate; 7) fewer inseminations lowering costs and semen used; 8) less herd manager frustration; 9) more family time for the dairy producer; and last but not least 10) the use of technology which will encourage the next generation to be dairy farmers”. An impressive list for every herd managers to consider.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

For breeders looking to manage better and increase their per cow profit, more attention to cows needing individual attention is an avenue to pursue. It definitely does pay to have cows reach peak production, avoid mastitis and get back in calf as quickly as possible. Knowing the facts to base decisions on is the way to go.

 

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FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ: Passion with a Purpose

As we research topics here at The Bullvine there is always an undercurrent of expectation.  You never know the “when” or “where” of the next big surprise.  Most often it is the “who” that makes our days special.  As we began the background work on a series we have planned on robotic milking, we lined up several interviews (Read more – Robotic Milking: More than just automation it’s a new style of herd management).  It became obvious that the go-to expert in this area would be Francisco Rodriguez, DVM, Holstein Breeder, Dairy Management Advisor Automatic Milking for DeLaval North America.  Not only did we get tremendous insight from his experience in this new and growing field but, once again, we met a passionate cow man who is following a dream.

Five Farming Generations in Colombia

Francisco is the 5th generation of farmers in Colombia. His grandfather was a dairyman, cattleman and one of the pioneers in the genetic development of the Paso Fino horse. Francisco, like others in his family, inherited that love for raising livestock. He recounts how his own interest was ignited. “Our dairy was relatively small and my Dad needed a simultaneous job to keep up with his new family. Then he joined Semex Colombia as a sales representative, I remember going to the farm since the beginning of my life, but I got in love of Dairy cows when every month a catalogue or a magazine from Canada or USA arrived home. Instead of reading about superman or batman I started reading about Starbuck, Aerostar, Raider, Laurie Sheik, etc. etc. I developed a true love for cows and genetics becoming the foundation of my life together with my passion for business, as my mother has had clothing stores her entire life, allowing me to get the entrepreneur spirit at a very young age.

Single Minded Student

Because of his passion for dairy cows and horses, Francisco decided to go to Vet School after graduating from High School. He had tremendous academic success and was the best student in the faculty for four years in succession. After graduation, Francisco’s internship continued in the USA. “When I finished my Vet School I started an internship in one of the largest and most progressive western dairies in the USA. I learned from the management of an operation milking thousands of cows.”

Vet-Businessman in Colombia

After one year gaining experience, Francisco made the decision to move back to Colombia.  His career now became more business focused as he adapted to the opportunities arising there. “When I arrived in Colombia two very interesting things happened. My Dad Francisco Rodriguez and my genetics mentor Juan Pablo Muriel started a partnership and became the exclusive Select Sires Dealership in Colombia!!” This was exciting explains Francisco because of the opportunity it gave him to understand both the genetics industry from both the Canadian and the US perspective.  A new opportunity soon presented itself. “At the same time DeLaval hired me as a Sales Manager for The Andean and Caribbean countries, working with farmers from 1 – 30,000 milking cows, from Water Buffalo to High yielding Holsteins, and traveling all over the world learning the different dimensions in milk production. “

More Diversity. More Studies. Big Vision.

By now, it was clear that Francisco like generations before him could comfortably handle several different challenges at the same time.  He clarifies. “Simultaneously with my work at DeLaval I continued developing my business skills graduating from Business School as a Strategic Marketing Management Specialist. I am a passionate individual, a dreamer, and I’ve been developing my life under friendship, excellence, focus and education, always starting small but thinking big, with a wide vision.

Achieving the Dream

Colganados It isn`t surprising that someone whose family, studies and passion all revolve around cows would want to own them as well. Sure enough he confirms, “Since I was a kid I had a dream of my own registered Holstein herd, I liked my Dad’s commercial cows but that was not enough for me, I wanted purebreds, I wanted to become a real breeder.”  With that end in mind he worked very hard to make it become reality.  He outlines what it took. “Simultaneously with my position at DeLaval, in 2007 my parents and I founded Colganados RV.” Colganados is a dairy business based on added value strategies, particularly genetics.  Francisco explains how they carried out this philosophy. “Colganados started with 15 cows, 30 heifers and 25 embryos selected from the best cow families available in the Colombian Market, most of them coming from well known Canadian and American Blood lines. Today Colganados RV milks approximately 200 registered Holsteins and develops one of the most aggressive Holstein breeding programs in Latin America.”

Open to A New Opportunity

For many, this would have marked the high point in a fast-rising career.  For Francisco – dairyman- veterinarian- breeder- businessman it was just the beginning. In 2010 DeLaval offered to relocate Francisco to Madison, WI as the Dairy Management Advisor – Automatic Milking for North America. In describing what this felt like, he says, “I compare it to a pilot being asked to race in Formula 1.” Joking aside he admits that it was a tough decision to make. “I had a life built in Colombia and at the same time I had a unique opportunity in the heart of the dairy industry. My parents and employees gave me the strength and then I accepted the challenge and moved to Madison in 2011.”

Francisco Rodriguez and his wife Sofia Cordabo

Francisco Rodriguez and his wife Sofia Cordabo

Love and Marriage

2011 marked special changes in Francisco’s life. He sums it up, “I got married to a wonderful woman, met wonderful people, made new friends and of course that put in the best place to continue reaching my dreams and accomplishing goals as a professional and as a breeder.”

Seen here are (l-r) Juan David Rodriguez, Francisco Rodriguez and his wife Sofia Cordabo with KHW Regiment Apple A1-Red-ETN.

Seen here are (l-r) Juan David Rodriguez, Francisco Rodriguez and his wife Sofia Cordabo with KHW Regiment Apple A1-Red-ETN.

Enter Robotic Milking

An interesting facet of Francisco’s career opportunity would be that he would be working with Robotic Milking and high end technology. This has been tremendously positive he reports. “It has exposed me to the most progressive farmers and advisors around the world, especially in the North American Market. On average I visit two robotic herds every day, it is amazing to evaluate the quantity of miles and farms we see in a year!!!”

KHW REGIMENT APPLE-RED EX-95-2E-USA    DOM   2*

KHW REGIMENT APPLE-RED EX-95-2E-USA DOM 2*
ALL-AMERICAN JR.2-YR 2006
RES. ALL-CANADIAN R&W MATURE COW 2009
GRAND MADISON R&W 2011
RES.GRAND ROYAL R&W 2009
1ST MATURE COW MADISON R&W 2011
1ST JR.2-YR MADISON 2006

Building on a Firm Family Foundation

Even more amazing than the miles Francisco travels, are the achievements he makes on several fronts simultaneously.  “In the beginning of 2012 I was missing having my own herd so together with my wife we started looking for the next level. For us that would mean being a dairy breeder in the North American Market with a global Scope.” Never one to dream big without doing his homework Francisco tells what they did next, all the while making it sound easy. “After visiting some of the most influential herds in the USA and Canada we met the foundation of our new project KHW Regiment Apple A1 RED-ETN a clone of the R & W world champion 2011 and million dollar APPLE.”  This purchase is a fascinating story on its own.  Another day perhaps.

KHW REGIMENT APPLE 1-RED

KHW REGIMENT APPLE 1-RED

The Bullvine Bottom Line

And so a passionate cattle man continues on several fronts to build his dream. In April 2012 Colganados began its history as a member of the USA Holstein Association. There have been many dimensions to the journey so far but Francisco recognizes that the diversity is what keeps him passionate “At the end of the day, the combination of all different kinds of knowledge, experiences and daily life bring a unique vision for every person.”  Exactly!

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