With the recent exciting news on quota allocations for March 2025, and additionally 2 incentive days per month for the remainder of the year; Growth is on the minds of many dairy farms across British Columbia.
Growth isn’t as simple as adding more cows. It brings a host of considerations, such as barn space, feeding capacity, and manure management. Do you have the land and feed? Is your mixer wagon big enough for larger loads? What about housing heifers and dry cows, or ventilation to ensure year-round production stability? These are just some of the questions that come with planning for expansion.
Growth in any business comes with challenges: capital, infrastructure, and people. At West Coast Robotics we have faced these challenges firsthand. In 2008 we started with just 3 employees and there were no Lely robots or WCR equipment in BC’s dairy market. Today, we’ve grown to over 25 employees and support over 200 milking robots and offer a full range of stabling, ventilation, irrigation and manure equipment. This growth took careful planning and adaptability.
At WCR, we believe that growing with robots is no different than growing in a parlor, and no different than growing any business. Sure, the details are different, no argument there, but the key to successful growth comes down to one key strategy.
Be PROACTIVE
Plan for growth, even if growth isn’t the plan. Planning ahead ensures you’re ready for unexpected opportunities. While reacting to market growth is sometimes necessary, taking a strategic approach today can help you prepare for what’s next. Whether you’re growing from 1 robot to 2, 3, or 4 - having a clear plan today sets you up for success tomorrow. Investments made now should have a clear purpose and continue delivering value into the future.
Louis Pasteur was a French chemist, pharmacist, and microbiologist renowned for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation, and pasteurization, the last of which was named after him. Sound familiar? Louis Pasteur is also famous for saying “fortune only favors the prepared mind”.
West Coast Robotics offers a wide range of products and services to help you prepare for what’s next, from barn design to long-term farm planning. Our goal is to support BC’s dairy farmers as a trusted partner in growth. If you’re thinking about your next steps, let us know how we can help.
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