WoodBAyr Farm
Next Generation Dairy
WoodBAyr Farm
WoodBAyr Farm is a Certified Organic dairy farm in West Edmeston, NY, milking registered Ayrshire cattle and transitioning from a stanchion barn to a robotic milking facility.
Certified Organic
USDA Certified
Ayrshire
Registered herd
Robotic
Milking transition
Business Description
WoodBAyr Farm is an established Certified Organic dairy owned by Joel and Rebecca Bates at 921 State Route 8, West Edmeston, NY. We milk registered Ayrshire cattle and are in the process of expanding from a stanchion barn into a robotic milking facility. We purchase all our Certified Organic forage. Our crops include dry hay, baleage, and sorghum-sudangrass.
Mission Statement
WoodBAyr Farm strives to be an example of how an Ayrshire breed, pasture-based dairy program can be profitable using modern-day business practices and technology while protecting the environment. We provide a quality product for our customers and a comfortable lifestyle for our family. Our operation includes education for our communities and neighbors.
Goals
WoodBAyr Farm is focused on growth through herd size and improved production practices. We strive to produce quality milk and breed for “type,” remain active in our community through on‑farm education, and pursue animal recognition at the national level. Our specific goals center on Herd Health, Management, and Expansion.
Our Journey
- Certified Organic dairy with a focus on registered Ayrshire cattle.
- Transitioning from a stanchion barn to a robotic milking facility.
- Engaging our community through education and advocacy for the Ayrshire breed.
Initiatives
Britespan Fabric Building
This building helps us meet our project goals where a standard structure would not. It eliminates artificial lighting during daytime and reduces nighttime lighting by eighty percent. Natural convection using chimneys and side-wall curtains removes the need for fans.
Smart Building Automation
The Maximus system uses four weather stations to open and close curtains for efficient ventilation based on conditions. It also controls geothermal heating and ventilation for the milk house, compressor room, and education center. The C‑4 system runs and maintains all robotic systems in the barn.
Astronaut A5 Milking Robots
Described as the most energy efficient milking system in the world, the A5 can milk cows with a fraction of the energy of other systems. It reduces labor by two people and eliminates vacuum pumps, pipelines or parlor, and multiple control and wash systems—saving hundreds of gallons of hot water each day.
Avant Electric Wheel Loader
Replaces a diesel skid steer that would otherwise run six to eight hours per day, saving several thousand gallons of diesel annually and eliminating the associated carbon output. The platform is designed for high efficiency.
Geothermal Heat
Two 5‑ton systems provide heating for the milk house, robot room, and educational center.
Quality Control
WoodBAyr Farm follows organic standards. We ensure that all milk is chilled quickly and evenly to maintain low bacteria counts, and we track milk quality after each pickup.
Targets: Somatic cell count under 140,000; bacteria count < 2,000; PI < 3,000.
Components (average): 4.3–4.4% butterfat; 3.2–3.3% protein.
Contact Us
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