text: Feeding more frequently stimulates fodder ingestion, so it benefits animal health, fertility and production. Eating several times a day keeps the pH value of the rumen constant, and allows cows to make better use of the ration they eat. Animals become more active: they visit the milking robot more often, resulting in an increased output of milk.
  More about frequent feeding
  Automatic feeding
  Automatic feeding means that cows are fed with precision. You can define exactly the right ingredients needed to feed each group of animals, including beef cattle. This has a positive influence on feed efficiency, and the development and production of your animals.
  More about automatic feeding
  Always fresh feed at the feed fence
  Feeding more frequently ensures there is always enough fresh feed at the feed fence. The Lely Vector senses when it is time for a new feeding round. The mixing and feeding robot measures the feed height of a specific section to determine when the ration needs to be supplemented, so there is never too much or too little feed at the feed fence.
  More about the feed-height sensor
  Insight into profits
  Feeding with the Vector provides more understanding into the efficiency and profitability of your feed strategy. Lely Horizon, our management platform indicates average feed ingestion per cow and per group. You can measure the effects of changes to rations by linking the system to the Lely Astronaut. This allows you to gain an insight into whether the cost of a change produces not only a higher yield but also a higher return.
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  The Lely Vector is suited for
  every farm
  Smart Feeding with the Lely Vector
  Performance
  An investment that is quickly recouped
  Let a local dealer advise you
  * These are the average figures for our customers
  4 lbs
  more milk per cow/per day
  $10,000
  saving on fuel costs per year
  Let a local dealer advise you
  * These are the average figures for our customers
  A comprehensive and intelligently engineered system
  Silage cutter
  The silage cutter allows you to store different types of food in the kitchen. This machine has an exceptionally high cutting capacity and is designed for even the toughest silage. Thanks to the extra 105-cm depth, the BC 180 XL is ideal for filling feed kitchens. The block contains a lot of feed and can safely be stored in the feed kitchen with no risk of dropping.
  Feed kitchen
  The feed kitchen is the area in which the feed is stored, selected, picked up and loaded into the robot for mixing. In the kitchen, a crane construction with a feed grabber is installed that moves above the kitchen to the right block of feed. Depending on the width and depth of the kitchen, it can easily stock feed for three days.
  More about the feed kitchen
  Mixing and feeding robot
  The mixing and feeding robot of the Lely Vector system is a self-contained battery-operated vehicle that is capable of automatically feeding a self-mixed ration.
  The results of automatic feeding
  Collin Walker
  "If anybody is enthusiastic about precision feeding, this is the way to go."
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  Automatic feeding - improved feed efficiency
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  Peter Ruiter
  “My first impression was, I’m never going to put that system in.”
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  Automatic feeding - improved feed efficiency
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  Conrad Jantzi
  “It is by far my most reliable employee.”
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  Automatic feeding - improved feed efficiency
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  Collin Walker
  Peter Ruiter
  Conrad Jantzi
  Lely Vector news
  April 12, 2021
  News
  10 years of Vector, thanks to our test and validation customers!
  Lely installed the first Vector system on a number of dairy farms back in 2011. The Overbeek family in Benschop run such a farm, (NL), where they had already shown an interest in automatic milking and feeding when building a new barn for their dairy cows. The family initially started using the Astronaut A3 Next for automatic milking, then also switched to the Lely Vector for automatic feeding. Kees and Sjors Overbeek had already used automatic feeding at their old farm, but it was a rail system. The Vector offered them much more flexibility.
  Read more
  March 24, 2021
  Press
  New Lely Vector features keep farmers future-proof
  What's the secret behind the success of the Lely Vector automatic feeding system? Continuous innovation and further development, based on expertise and excellence. With the latest features added to the system, Lely is helping farmers stay profitable, sustainable and future-proof. The Lely Vector is now successfully used in a wide variety of dairy and beef cattle farms in 31 countries. This year, the system celebrates its 10th anniversary.
  Read more
  March 8, 2021
  Press
  Lely produces 1,000th Vector automatic feeding system
  Lely produced the 1000th Vector feeding system today. A special milestone, as they have doubled production in the past three years. The Vector feeding system is now used in 31 countries on a wide variety of dairy and beef cattle farms. The 1000th Vector is on its way to Società Agricola Rendena San Michele's dairy farm in Italy, to feed a herd of 117 to 130 lactating cows plus associated young stock, heifers and dry cows.
  Read more
  Jan. 18, 2021
  News
  Hot weather does not affect the quality of silage blocks
  On behalf of Lely, the University of Milan conducted a study into the feed quality and heating of blocks of corn silage in a feed kitchen. During the days in which the study was carried out, the temperature was more than 30 ºC. However, the temperature of the corn blocks rose by only 2 ºC.
  Read more
  Nov. 9, 2020
  Press
  New feed grabber for the Lely Vector feeding system
  Lely introduces a new feed grabber for the Lely Vector automatic feeding system. The feed grabber hangs in the feed kitchen and is used to load the mixing and feeding robot with an accuracy of up to 98%. The new design improves both the functionality and lifetime of the feed grabber bucket, and the maintenance costs.
  Read more
  Sept. 30, 2020
  News
  Lely improves the feed accuracy, capacity, mixing and cutting quality of the Vector feeding system
  Lely introduces a faster auger motor for the Vector feeding system. The higher rotational speed of the auger improves the mixing and cutting quality. As a result, less mixing time is required, which increases the capacity of the feeding system. The faster auger motor also empties the mixing tub better. This increases the feed accuracy of the next ration.
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  Feb. 25, 2020
  News
  Lely introduces obstacle detection sensors for the Vector feeding robot
  The Lely Vector feeding robot is supplied to customers equipped with a fully integrated impact detection bumper. As soon as the bumper senses an obstruction, the machine will stop. With the new obstacle detection sensors, the machine will also stop before it collides with any restrictions in its path. The sensors further increase the safety of people and animals on the farm, and can also prevent damage to vehicles that are parked along the route of the feeding robot.
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  Support at every step of the way
  Always the right advice
  Before
  Before the Vector comes into operation, we help you prepare your farm for automatic feeding. This includes, for example, a training course on how to operate the Vector and the associated management system. It also includes advice on well-being of the cows and how to design the barn.
  During
  When the Vector is delivered, the robot is first extensively checked. Automatic feeding only starts once everything is accurate, down to the last detail. During the initial feeding, the first step after installation, we give you intensive support. Support is available 24/7.
  After
  Even once everything is working perfectly, we continue to offer support and guidance. Of course, we are always interested in knowing how happy you are and whether there are any improvements we could help with. We continually provide analysis and advice to ensure the best possible result.
  Unequalled service
  Questions about finance? We will be glad to help and advise you.
  More about Lely Finance
  Regardless of the date or time, you have technical support 24/7.
  More about Technical Service Support
  When the barn equipment is working, we are there to further optimise it.
  More about Farm Management Support
  The Lely Vector works well with
  Lely Astronaut
  The natural way to milk
  An increased milk yield and overviews whenever and wherever you want them: automatic milking makes it all possible. The milking system collects data per cow on milk production and cow health. This alerts you on time to any changes, allowing you to devote your attention to the cows that need it most.
  More about the Lely Astronaut
  Lely Cosmix
  Concentrate feeder for cows that deserve a little more
  Higher milk yield, improved rumen health and efficient feeding: you get all of these with the Lely Cosmix. Every cow gets the portion of concentrate that it requires. The Lely Horizon management system provides insights into the concentrate intake. In this way you get the most out of your feed strategy.
  More about the Lely Cosmix
  Lely Grazeway
  For efficient grazing
  Robotic milking and grazing go hand in hand. The Lely Grazeway selection box supports efficient grazing. The cow decides whether she wants to go outside. The Grazeway indicates if this is allowed or whether the cow needs to be milked first.
  More about the Lely Grazeway
  Feeding
  Efficient feeding has a positive effect on cow health and milk yield. Mixing the right portions in the right quantities and releasing them just at the right moment requires knowledge, understanding and time. Our products for automatic feeding take on this task and are exceptionally efficient. Saving you time and ensuring the right feed at the right moment.