On their farm in Listowel, Co. Kerry, Paddy and Annemaria Cotter milk 75 pedigree Friesian cows. Like many farmers, they experimented with different calf-rearing methods over the years. Between buckets, milk runs from the parlour, and constant cleaning, it all added up. 

That changed when they installed the JFC Evolution S2 Automatic Calf Feeder. 

"We tried numerous things. Eventually, we decided that this was the road to go. Labour-wise alone, even washing troughs and buckets and drawing milk down...it's all cut out."

The difference in the daily routine was immediate. What used to take hours now happens automatically, freeing time for other essential jobs on and off the farm. 

Calves That Thrive

Labour wasn't the only improvement. The Cotters noticed how quickly their calves adapted to the feeder and how consistent feeding transformed results. 

"They actuallly had themselves weaned, you know, and there's no bawling or anything like that...it's a dream."

Feeding three times a day instead of twice has also given their calves a stronger start and steadier growth. 

"That was probably down to them being fed three times a day instead of being fed twice a day as they normally would have been."

By the time they were weanlings, the results spoke for themselves. 

"We had excellent calves at the end of last year...the weights were very good. And that's down to that machine."

Another big advantage has been early health detection. The automatic calf feeder allows the Cotters to spot potential issues before they spread by identifying which calves have fed and which haven't at a glance. 

"A big benefit on it as well is being able to idenitfy sick calves...you can have a look and see who's fed, who hasn't fed. I mean, it's a great indicator," said Annemaria.

Consistency has also brought calmness to the shed. Calves feed evenly, settle faster, and develop better weight gain across the board. These are the kind of results any farmer would look for.

Support That Farmers Can Rely On

For Paddy, the back-up service is as valuable as the machine itself. 

JFC's support line operates around the clock, with many issues resolved direclty over the phone. For more complex problems, trained technicians are always available for prompt farm visits, ensuring farmers don't lose valuable feeding time because of a small issue. 

An Investment Worth Making

Two years in, the Cotters say the automatic calf feeder has proven itself in both calf health and labour savings. 

"it's well worth the investment...it's very easy to maintain it...a lot of it is done by the machine itself."

Support from JFC's supplier network also make sthe transition to automation more accessible than many might expect. Through a combination of grants and flexible financing options, farmers can spread costs over time and find a setup that fits their herd size and budget. 

And when Annemaria sums it up, her words leave little doubt.

"It should have been bought 10 years ago...it's a dream."

A Dream Realised on the Farm

For the Cotters, automation has meant less labour, healthier calves, and fewer daily chores. The system has helped turn a time-intesive routine into a smooth, reliable part of farm life. This is living proof that the right technology doesn't replace hands-on farming. It strengthens it. 

• Labour savings: No buckets, troughs, or carting milk. 

• Healthier calves: Strong weights, smooth weaning, and no bawling. 

• Ease of use: Simple cleaning and maintenance, much of which is handled by the automatic calf feeder. 

• Support: Reliable back-up service whenever needed. 

Are you considering a move to Automatic Calf Feeding?

Contact our Team today!