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Dairy research company Agri-Epi Centre has relaunched its South West Dairy Development Centre in Shepton Mallet, UK. The “high-performing” dairy innovation unit initially launched in 2018 and has reopened following an extensive upgrade to install the latest robotic and sensor technology. New additions include a high-welfare, free access system for cows – the facility has integrated Lely A5 robotic milking systems with precision-grazing while incorporating its existing robotic feeding system. Lely A5 milking robots provide cows with optimal freedom of movement – the cows decide themselves when to eat, drink, relax or be milked. The new building has Galebreaker side curtains which ensure the climate within the building is continually optimised. Agri-Epi Centre’s head of agri-tech (dairy), Robert Morrison, said: “We are thrilled to reopen the Centre for business following the installation of an R&D platform focusing on integrating free grazing and automation, ready for innovation”. He continued: “We look forward to developing new partnerships and projects – both funded and private research, which will continue our current themes featuring animal health and welfare, environmental sustainability, farm business sustainability, and feed and productivity.” The facility offers an innovative environment for developing, testing and demonstrating new technologies and techniques to support sustainable, efficient, high health and welfare, cost-efficient milk production. It features a typically sized 180-cow herd run on a commercial basis and is designed to provide a platform for higher technology readiness level developers. The unit is run by Agri-Epi Centre’s precision engineering specialists, while the herd is owned and managed by the Christensen family, trading as Steanbow Farms. The project is supported by Innovate UK, the UK's national innovation agency and part of the government’s UK Research and Innovation agency. Steanbow Farms’ owner, Neil Christensen, commented: “We’re keen to work with Agri-Epi as service providers on our farm…A robotic demonstration farm is becoming more and more relevant as the industry tackles ever-increasing labour challenges. This Centre is demonstrating systems and an approach; it’s a place for technology testing but also knowledge exchange and industry engagement.” All milk goes to local processors, Barber’s Cheese.