DeLaval

Happy New Year from all of us at DeLaval! #DeLaval #TeamBlue #WeLiveMilk

Now we have returned to colour photographs in our tour of Hamra Farm —because these are some of Hamra Farm’s newer buildings. First, let’s visit the VMS Barn, built in 2002 to showcase DeLaval’s Voluntary Milking System (VMS™). This barn has always been a favourite among visitors, who enjoy seeing the technology in action. The barn spans 1,200 m² with a 900 m² resting area and contains 68 cubicles. Designed with a ‘feed-first’ layout, it uses smart gates to direct cow traffic between feeding, resting, and milking zones. Its ventilation is computer-controlled, and the feeding cubicles are equipped with rubber mattresses to maximise cow comfort. The VMS™ V300 processes approximately 2,800 kg of milk daily, with an impressive average yield of 42 litres per cow. Next up, it’s the the R&D Barn, built in 1985 and constantly upgraded over the years. This state-of-the-art facility was designed for testing and developing innovative dairy farming technologies. Equipped with a wide range of milking equipment, including the DeLaval Milking Point MP700, a 2x6 Herringbone parlour (HB), a 1x10 Parallel parlour (PP), a 1x2 Tandem, a 3x4 Herringbone/Parallel (HB/PP), and both a VMS Classic and two VMS V300 units. More than just a building, it serves as a hub for collaboration with leading universities and experts to refine technologies that improve productivity, animal welfare, and sustainability in dairy farming. #DeLaval #TeamBlue #HamraFarm

As we approach the final posts in our series celebrating Hamra Farm’s 130th birthday, let’s take a closer look at its impressive residential buildings. First up is Soltorp, built between 1901 and 1902 by Christian Barthel, a chemical engineer working for de Laval. Barthel was granted permission to build his house on the Hamra estate, where he played a key role in overseeing research at the farm’s dairy. Soltorp later became the residence for the Managing Directors of Hamra Farm. Next, we have Herrgården, better known as the Manor Farm. Originally the manor house of one of the earlier farms that pre-dated Hamra, it was likely built in the 1750s and has been refurbished and rebuilt over the centuries. For many years, it served as the private residence for the equivalent of the President or CEO of Separator/Alfa Laval (before we were known as DeLaval). And here’s a fun fact: in December 1963, Hamra hosted the first International Milking Machine Symposium. This important event brought together scientists from across Europe to discuss the latest advances in milking technology and its impact on dairy farming. Images: 1. You can see Soltorp in the background, right. 2. Soltorp today. 3. The Manor Farm in the early 1920s. #delaval #teamblue #Hamrafarm

And it’s full steam ahead with our tour of Hamra Farm. Next up is the Hamra Railway. Gustaf de Laval’s ingenuity went beyond dairy equipment, transforming transport logistics as well. In 1900, a narrow-gauge railway was built to transport freight and milk, linking the farm to Tumba station and the harbour at Tullingesjön, with further connections to Stockholm by boat. This transport link supported the farm’s growing industrial operations. A foundry was established at Hamra between 1899 and 1900 to produce raw materials for machinery and ironworks. The railway became essential for transporting these materials efficiently, connecting Hamra to the Separator Company’s head office in Stockholm. Before the railway, goods were moved slowly by horse-drawn carts to boats, then shipped across Tullinge Lake. The railway provided a faster, more reliable alternative, enabling the transport of industrial goods like iron ore and machinery. This marked a shift from outdated methods and demonstrated de Laval’s innovative approach to industrial logistics. The Hamra Railway ran until 1947, after which the infrastructure was dismantled and the land repurposed for urban development. Though the railway is gone, its legacy lives on through locomotive No. 5 ’HAMRA’. After the railway closed, it was moved to a lime quarry on the Isle of Gotland, operating for another decade. In 1961, the Swedish Railway Club saved it from being scrapped, exchanging it for another locomotive of similar scrap value. Restored and renovated, No. 5 ’HAMRA’ returned to service in Mariefred, Sweden, in 1969, where it remains operational today. Images: Past and present photos of the HAMRA locomotive. No. 3 shows a wagon for cattle transportation. 4 and 5 shows the foundry (located near Tullinge Lake). 6: DeLaval’s factory in Kungsholmen (inner Stockholm), Sweden. Image credit of modern-day Hamra train: Daniel S. (Senil anka), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5 #delaval #hamrafarm

We continue our journey exploring DeLaval’s Hamra Farm as we celebrate its 130th anniversary. Today, we begin with ’Mejeriet,’ which originally served as a milk processing centre. Here fresh milk was prepared before being transported via the Hamra locomotive – stay tuned for more on the Hamra Railway next time. In 1926, the building ceased dairy operations and was reconstructed in 1937, with two wings added to serve as a dormitory for the agricultural school. Today it’s known as Mässen, DeLaval’s popular restaurant for employees and farm visitors – especially a big hit on Thursdays for our traditional soup and pancake day. Image 4 shows Mässen as it is today – and as it looked when it served as the dormitory – while images 1-3 provide a glimpse into its time as Mejeriet, and image 5 shows how the processed milk from the farm was delivered to customers in town. Next to Mässen is the old agricultural school (images 6-7), founded in 1943 as Lantmannaskolan to provide practical and theoretical training in farming. Run by Stockholm County but owned by Separator AB (Gustaf de Laval’s company), it played a key role in Sweden’s agricultural sector. After closing in 1961, the site became Hamraskolan, an internal training centre for AB Separator (later Alfa-Laval AB). Today, it serves as DeLaval’s Hamra Conference Centre, continuing its legacy of education and innovation. 📷If you have any photos from your visit to Hamra Farm, we’d love to see them! #DeLaval #TeamBlue #Dairy #HamraFarm

’God Jul!’ from the calves at DeLaval’s Hamra Farm.

It's time to go on a tour! To celebrate Hamra Farm's 130th anniversary, let’s explore the history of some of the key buildings. First up is the Big Barn (Stora Ladugården in Swedish). Often called a “palace for cows,” the Big Barn was a significant step forward for farming when it was built in 1894. Replacing an ageing barn from the early 1800s, this impressive structure cost SEK 90,000 and embodied Gustaf de Laval’s vision of smarter, more efficient farming focused on animal welfare. In particular, the barn was designed with a lantern-style roof—a raised central section with windows—to improve ventilation, lighting, and air quality—issues common in traditional barns of the time. Inside, the barn housed: • 160 Ayrshire cows in clean, spacious surroundings. •28 horses in well-ventilated stables. •Dedicated spaces like isolation stables, sick bays, and hygienic feed storage to maintain high standards of care. De Laval’s focus on animal health was linked to his emphasis on hygiene. He worked to eradicate tuberculosis (TBC) and ensure the best conditions for the animals. By 1898, Hamra achieved TBC-free status, making it one of the first farms in Sweden to produce TBC-free milk. This achievement earned de Laval recognition from the Swedish king. In 1903, the farm showcased its model farming system during a meeting organised by the Household Management Society: Landtbruksmötet (pictured). Over 3,000 visitors attended to see the farm’s progress, especially the Big Barn, which had been praised for its ingenuity in Landtmannen, a prominent Swedish agricultural publication. A hub for innovation, the Big Barn became a testing ground for advancements in milking technology. Early experiments with machines like the Laktator paved the way for the Omega Pulsator in 1913, which revolutionised milking by mimicking a calf’s suckling. Building on this research and testing, in 1917, engineer John Daysh, working for De Laval in the United States, introduced the De Laval Milker. This machine featured gentler teat cups and vacuum breaks, setting new standards in milking technology. #DeLaval #TeamBlue #HamraFarm #WeLiveMilks #Cows #Dairy

For 130 years, DeLaval’s Hamra Farm—aptly referred to as the ‘heart of DeLaval’—has been a pioneering hub for developing and implementing advanced solutions to address the challenges of modern dairy farming. To celebrate its 130th anniversary, we are excited to share some of its rich history, including incredible footage of the farm through the years. Gustaf de Laval acquired Hamra Farm in Tumba, Sweden, in 1894 as a space for testing innovations, demonstrating their value, and gaining deeper insights into the needs of farmers, all while advancing DeLaval’s commitment to animal welfare. The farm’s location, with its access to expansive land and a skilled workforce, made it an ideal setting for realising DeLaval’s vision. Today, Hamra Farm remains a commercial farm owned and operated by DeLaval—our global headquarters are right down the hill from the farm. It is one of the most productive dairy farms in Sweden, boasting an average annual milk yield of 12,100 kg ECM per cow. At Hamra Farm, we continue to apply our latest innovations in real-world settings, further building upon DeLaval’s legacy of advancing dairy farming. #delaval #welivemilk #teamblue #cows #roboticmilking #HamraFarm

Can we improve milking efficiency while ensuring animal welfare? Recent research by DeLaval and Cornell University, USA, published in the Journal of Dairy Science, demonstrates that we are on the right track with Flow-Responsive™ milking. This collaborative study involved a 12-week trial on a commercial dairy farm near Ithaca, New York, with over 5,200 Holstein cows milked three times daily using a rotary parlour. Traditional milking methods were compared with the Flow-Responsive™ milking features: Flow-Adjusted Stimulation (FAS) and Flow-Adjusted Vacuum (FAV). FAS focuses on stimulating the cow to allow earlier attachment. It applies gentler settings during low flow to minimise strain on the teats while stimulating and waiting for milk ejection. FAV speeds up milk extraction by increasing the vacuum level when high milk flow is available and then reducing it once the high flow ends. This avoids the inevitable trade-off between udder health and productivity created by a fixed vacuum level throughout the entire milking process. Study results showed: “The use of Flow-Responsive™ milking in conjunction with early attachment of the milking unit resulted in lower odds of short-term teat tissue changes, lower odds of bimodality, lower odds of forced take-off events, and a higher peak milk flow rate. We conclude that the application of Flow-Responsive™ milking, combined with the early attachment of the milking unit, has the potential to improve parlour efficiency while promoting animal welfare.” As Konstantinos Kakoulis, Product Manager for Flow-Responsive™ milking and co-author of the study explains, by integrating these technologies DeLaval delivers a consistent process and optimises individual milking based on each cow’s needs: "They offer farmers the ability to increase throughput, reduce milking time, and improve overall parlour productivity, all while ensuring the health and comfort of their cows. This approach not only improves operational efficiency but also supports long-term sustainability goals.” He further highlights: “The results demonstrate the effectiveness of DeLaval’s approach to improving efficiency without compromising animal welfare, providing a balanced path forward for farmers aiming to meet production, welfare, and sustainability standards in modern dairy farming.” Read the full study here: https://ow.ly/e8Vv50UrA7I Images: The first image shows the teats being checked during the trial, while the second features Prof. Matthias Wieland from Cornell University, who led the study (second from the right), with his students who played a key role in conducting the research. #DeLaval #CornellUniversity #Dairy #FlowResponsiveMilking #Sustainability

If you've been following us on LinkedIn, you may have heard about our ongoing digital transformation: Programme one. As part of this effort, we’re implementing SAP S/4HANA, an advanced software platform that will simplify our operations and improve efficiency, making everything—from customer service to internal processes—more connected and streamlined. But what exactly does this mean? 📽️ To explain in more detail, we've created a video where leaders from across DeLaval discuss the importance of this programme, how it will strengthen our ability to support dairy farmers, and why it’s an exciting opportunity for SAP experts. #DeLaval #BusinessTransformation #SAP #IT #theFutureofDairy