A high-tech dairy farm currently under construction in Cieszymowo, Poland, will house the world’s largest VMS batch milking setup. This innovative facility, known as Fortune Cieszymowo, is a collaboration between Fortune Sp. z o.o., a leader in dairy cattle breeding and crop cultivation in Poland, and DeLaval.
The farm will boast 25 DeLaval VMS™ V300 robots: 24 in the main milking parlour and one in the calving pen. This surpasses the previous batch milking record held by Lønholm Agro in Denmark, which operates 24 DeLaval VMS™ V310 robots.
In batch milking, VMS robots are used, but rather than milking cows individually according to their own schedules, this method groups cows together and milks them in batches, similar to a parlour or rotary system setup. Essentially, a VMS batch milking setup combines the advanced automation of VMS technology with the structured grouping typical of parlour systems.
Besides the milking equipment, various other DeLaval technologies will also be included at Fortune Cieszymowo, such as effluent management solutions, milk cooling systems, water troughs, floor mats, and climate control systems. Energy efficiency is a key focus of the project. Strategies include pre-cooling water for the cows and recovering heat from the chiller. The pre-cooled water, once reheated, will be used for cleaning the equipment, supporting the farm’s overall sustainability efforts.
Andrzej Kowalski, District Sales Manager at DeLaval Poland, says, “This new farm isn’t just about installing the latest equipment; it’s about setting a new standard for the future of farming with a focus on sustainability, animal welfare, and operational efficiency. It achieves this by integrating advanced systems for milking, effluent management, milk cooling, and water supply. The addition of features like floor mats and cooling systems in the waiting areas will further enhance animal welfare, demonstrating how high standards of comfort and care are readily attainable.”
Paweł Hupało, Sales Director at DeLaval Poland, notes the extensive preparation behind this investment: “Numerous meetings, thorough discussions, and detailed planning preceded this investment. Thank you to the owners and the Management Board of Fortune Sp. z o.o. for their trust, and the steadfast support of the DeLaval Sp. z o.o. team. Together we are creating a unique history, contributing to the development and strengthening of the dairy cow breeding sector in Poland.”
Andrzej and Paweł also extend their appreciation to the DeLaval Sp. z o.o. team for their steadfast support and to DeLaval dealer Mariusz Mackiewicz, whose pivotal role in connecting with Fortune Sp. z o.o. was instrumental in their decision to switch to DeLaval after 20 years with another company.
The official groundbreaking ceremony for the project took place on 18 July, with completion expected by mid-2025.
Read press release: Polish dairy farm to set new record for largest VMS batch milking installation