Raising healthy calves in a modern dairy world is both rewarding and relentless.
Those first few weeks shape a cow’s entire productive life, but traditional feeding routines can be tough — long hours, strict schedules and the constant worry about whether every calf is getting what it needs.
That’s where technology is stepping in to lend a hand.
Automated calf feeders — like the GEA Calf Feeder system, known for delivering consistent and customisable nutrition to feed calves with up to four drinking stations — are quietly transforming how farmers approach calf care.
But what makes them different — and are they worth the investment?
Think of an automated calf feeder as a smart feeding station. Instead of mixing milk by hand and sticking to rigid feeding times, the system:
- Prepares milk at the right temperature, every time.
- Lets calves drink small, frequent meals — just like they would naturally.
- Tracks each calf’s intake and drinking speed, flagging any changes that might signal illness.
- Cleans itself regularly, reducing the risk of bacteria build-up.
- Syncs with your phone or computer, so you can check in even when you’re out in the paddock.
This can mean:
- Healthier calves — consistent nutrition and early alerts for illness mean fewer setbacks.
- Time back in your day — less time mixing and bottle-feeding means more time for other jobs.
- Better growth rates — calves often gain weight faster and hit breeding targets sooner.
- Peace of mind — data takes the guesswork out of calf rearing.
On the Zweck family farm — Donava Holsteins in South Australia — the shift to automated feeding has been a game-changer.
“It’s a huge labour-saving and reliable system,” Justin Zweck said about their GEA automated calf feeders.
He said system saves between one and 1.5 hours per calf feeding, thanks to the fully automated calf feeders.
In a recent social media post, the family shared an update on one of their first calves raised on the robotic calf feeder, now milking in the GEA robotic system.
“She is definitely kicking goals — 3.3 milkings a day, 36kg of milk a day, and only 16 days into lactation,” the family posted.
“It’s nice to see numbers like this proving the complete system works — from calf shed to dairy — helping cows understand a completely voluntary system.”
Labour hours are down, calves are thriving, and the data helps the family make better decisions for their herd.
– from GEA.