Lely didn’t spare any expense launching its latest milking robot on Tuesday.

Over 50 journalists had their accommodation and travel expenses covered for the trip to the Lely headquarters in Maassluis, the Netherlands, where they were joined by thousands of Lely staff members.

The Dealer never saw so much pageantry in his life.

The head man, Alexander van der Lely, gave a great account of where the company came from with horse-drawn hay machines 70 years ago all the way to fully automated feeding and milking machines.

I sat contently listening to this lovely story and next thing, bang, I was in a Dutch rave. Flashing lights and thumping dance music played as the curtains fell showing off the company's brand new automated feed pusher.

I wonder in 20 years’ time if I'll still be throwing in the bit of silage with my trusty grape, or pike as it’s known in Cork?

Just when all the excitement was settling down again, I was back in the disco, this time to see the latest milking robot.

Versatile

The new A5 is much improved on the A4, I’m told, with a quicker more versatile milking arm. It’s quieter too apparently, but I couldn’t tell with all the loud music.

The A4 is selling for anything from €120,000 to €150,000 for the first robot, for all the bells and whistles.

I’m not sure what the A5 will cost to buy when it arrives in Ireland on 18 June, but I’d say my aul TAMS grant would be maxed out.

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In pictures: robotic milking on grass-based system