What is thought to be one of the world's largest milking rotary parlours is now operational in China – and it is milking a herd of 10,000 cows.

Increasing demand for fresh milk in China is boosting domestic production and so dairy equipment manufacturer, GEA, was asked installed its most powerful milking carousel from the DairyRotor series for Lvyuan Animal Husbandry, China's leading producer of raw milk.

The 80-stall GEA DairyRotor T8900 milks the 10,000 cows from Lvyuan Farm, in the Jiangsu Province in multiple shifts, three times a day. The business ordered the rotary at the end of 2019, with the goal of using it by mid-January of 2020.

With just one month to complete the installation and commissioning, the team of GEA colleagues from Germany and China collaborated during an intense period to meet the deadline by the Chinese New Year in 2020.

Domestic milk production is booming in China, with around 70%t of the milk consumed there ultra-heat-treated (UHT), which means it can last for months. But, the heat process imparts a slightly different taste, compared to fresh milk and so there is now an increasing demand for fresh milk in China.

Mark Smyth, head of support in Greater China for GEA, said that the T8900 fitted the growing market perfectly: "With up to 120 milking stalls, this milking rotary parlour is especially developed for medium sized to large commercial farms. It is capable of operating effectively and reliably for up to 22 hours a day.

"Because the number of cows on these farms is so large and they're milking the cows three times a day, the rotary needs to deliver uncompromising reliability and the T8900 has done that."

The system is tailored for a seamless processes down to the smallest detail – from cow traffic, through to process handling and milk flow. “All system components of the T8900 are extremely durable and designed to withstand the demands of continuous operation. Moreover, the T8900’s robust stainless-steel surfaces are easy to clean," said Mr Smyth.

"Its full-size splashguard keeps the interior safe and dry and the sloped deck allows for easy and clean draining of water and manure,. There are many customers in Europe and North America who are already successfully milking with the T8900 and now GEA will begin rolling out this parlour in Asia in the upcoming months to meet the demands of the market.”