When it comes to robotic milking, every farm defines success a little differently. For Al Dornacker in south-central Wisconsin, that success has come from a combination of careful management and the performance of his six Lely Astronaut A5 robots. With around 350 cows, Dornacker has seen production hold steady through the hot summer months, averaging 99 pounds of milk per cow — a result he credits not only to cow comfort in the new barn but also to the consistency and reliability of the A5s.
Dornacker has also embraced genetics as part of his robot strategy. By indexing cows on robot-specific traits — such as kick behavior, milking speed, and component levels — he makes more informed breeding decisions. The outcome has been stronger reproductive performance and higher long-term production, ensuring that the cows best suited to the A5 system remain at the heart of the herd.
With support from Cow Corner robotic dairy consulting, Dornacker evaluated whether to continue milking in both the parlor and five robots or move fully into robotic milking. A cash-flow analysis revealed the long-term value of expanding to six A5 units while closing the parlor. The decision not only improved efficiency but also positioned the dairy for sustainable growth.
“Labor efficiency has improved tremendously, and overall production has gone up,” Dornacker explains. “Looking back, I would absolutely make the same decisions again, but I’d probably do it over a year and a half instead of four and a half years.”
Beyond production numbers, Dornacker emphasizes the importance of preparation and self-reliance when working with robotic systems. A well-stocked inventory of spare parts allows him to handle most service needs directly, reducing downtime and keeping the herd flowing smoothly through the A5s.
His experience is a reminder that while technology like the Lely Astronaut A5 provides powerful tools, true success depends on management decisions. From herd genetics to facility design to daily maintenance, the A5 delivers best results when paired with attentive, forward-thinking strategies.
