Have you ever experienced this morning's frustration? Walking the feed alley to find the ration pushed aside by the cows, worrying about their health and intake, calculating the cost of wasted feed, and dreading the time it will take to push it back - time better spent observing the herd, analyzing data, or being with family. For high-producing dairies, untimely feed pushing is more than an inconvenience; it directly undermines the performance and potential of your high-yielding herd.
Today, let's meet the Tagliaferri family farm in Piacenza, Italy, to hear farm owner Mario Tagliaferri and his partner New Agri share a true story about choice, transformation, and results.
An Evolving Partner in Agricultural Innovation
"Hi, I'm Ilaria, co-owner of New Agri." The story starts with a simple introduction, but the story behind Ilaria's company is anything but. Starting in 2002 as a multi-brand spare parts distributor, New Agri has navigated several smart pivots over two decades in agriculture.
"Over the years, we have focused on technological innovations like automatic steering systems," Ilaria says. This knack for spotting trends gradually anchored their core business in agricultural automation. Today, from drones to robotic feed pushers, they have become a reliable guide helping Italian farmers step into smart farming.
It was this very company, one that "believes in technology and focuses on the future", that introduced Mario to the 3D navigated feed pusher Nimbo X.
Mario and His 320 High-Yielding Herd
"I'm Mario Tagliaferri from the Tagliaferri Luigi farm in Chero Carpaneto, Piacenza." Mario has the practical, sincere demeanor of a classic Italian farmer. His operation is clearly defined and modern: approximately 320 milking cows, with a daily production averaging around 35 liters. This means every gain in management efficiency shows up clearly on the production sheet.
As a customer of New Agri and an early user of Nimbo, Mario admits his initial motivation was straightforward: "We decided to install the Nimbo X, initially because of its reputation. We wanted to increase feed intake and improve the palatability of the ration."
Just a focus on two core challenges in herd management: getting cows to eat more, and yield better.
A Journey to Perspective Shift
"At first, it felt like a bit of a luxury…"
Owning a robotic feed pusher sounds impressive, but is it truly worth it? Could it just be an expensive "toy"? This statement from Mario captures the genuine hesitation many farmers feel towards automation.
This doubt was quickly replaced by another feeling in the first days after the Nimbo X started working.
"The results were, let's say, immediate."
The change came faster and was more noticeable than expected.
"But as the days went by, we noticed higher intake, and our high-yielding cows became even more productive," Mario describes, his account specific and vivid. The robot's value was no longer an abstract idea; it transformed into visible, positive changes in the barn: a cleaner feed alley, more frequent feeding behavior, and ultimately, more consistent high production.
"If it continues like this, it's an excellent investment."
This marks the moment of complete perspective shift; Mario's assessment is definitive. He emphasizes, "In terms of both quality and price, it is currently unrivaled." For an astute dairy farmer, this is the highest praise — it means the return delivered by the Nimbo X clearly justifies its cost and sets it apart from other options.
"Installation was fast. It was set up in three hours. We didn't even notice."
Behind this statement lies a minimalist deployment process and a promise of zero interference with farm routine. More important is the subsequent experience: "Yes, very efficient; it's a reliable product that doesn't cause any issues." For a farmer dealing with machinery every day, these words carry immense weight.
For farmers worried about complex installation disrupting daily operations, Mario's experience is a pleasant surprise.
Looking Ahead to Future Feeding
"We are looking forward to seeing new developments, new frontiers that Nimbo X can take us toward in the future," says Mario, expressing the sentiments of many dairy farmers encountered cattle feeding challenges.
This is no longer just a story about pushing feed. The role of the Nimbo X has subtly shifted from a labor-saving tool to a key that unlocks the door to precise, digital herd management. It brings not just a clean feed alley and increased feeding time, but also a liberation of management focus, freeing the manager to look up repetitive tasks toward herd health, ration formulation, and long-term strategy.
Are You Ready for Farm Automation?
Mario’s journey in Piacenza is just the beginning. Let your farm write the next success story. If your goals include reclaiming time, achieving consistent operational improvements, and future-proofing your business like New Agri. Discover how Sveaverken's automatic feeding solution can become your partner in progress.