Open Day
Open Farm Day at Padman’s Robotic Dairy Farm

Open Farm Day at The Padman Robotic Dairy Farm
Open Farm Day at Padman Farm
Don't miss your chance to visit Padman Farm! After transitioning from a traditional herringbone system, the Padman family installed 5 Lely Astronaut A5 Milking Robots in July 2022. Since then, they have experienced increased milk production, improved cow health, and greater flexibility in their daily routine.
You're welcome to arrive from 08:30, giving you time to settle in and grab a coffee before the event officially kicks off at 09:00.
Help us plan the perfect day by registering now via the form below to ensure plenty of food and drinks for everyone! We can’t wait to see you there!
Register here to secure your spot at this Open Farm Day!
Join Us for an Exclusive Open Farm Day at Padman Farm!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to visit Padman Farm and see 5 Lely Astronaut A5 milking robots in action! Discover how the Padman family has transformed their dairy, increasing efficiency, improving milk production, and gaining more flexibility in their daily operations.
Meet the Padman family, and hear firsthand about their journey into robotic dairying, and get your questions answered. Plus, enjoy a great day out filled with food, drinks, and farm insights!
🔴 Register now to secure your place and help us plan the perfect day!
Meet the Padman Family!
Nestled in Elizabeth Town, Tasmania, Luke and Rodney Padman run a cutting-edge robotic dairy farm, milking 320 cows across 200 hectares with 5 Lely milking robots. Their journey began with a 20 double-up herringbone system, but after careful planning, they retrofitted robots into their existing shed, making automation a reality in a cost-effective way.
For Rodney, farming runs deep—his father was a beef farmer, sparking his passion for working with livestock. He eventually purchased his own dairy farm, where milking started with just a 4-unit swingover dairy.
“Technology was very limited in those times, so we just made do with what we had and gradually improved things as we went along.”
Luke grew up on the farm and has since taken the reins, but as the dairy industry evolved, so did their need for change. With growing challenges in labor and efficiency, the Padmans saw an opportunity to embrace automation—a decision that has transformed their dairy for the future.
Now, you have the chance to see this cutting-edge robotic dairy in action! The the Padman family are excited to welcome you, showcase their farm, and answer any questions you may have.
RSVP required
Help us plan the perfect day by registering now to ensure plenty of food and drinks for everyone! We can’t wait to see you there!
Meet Lely Center Tasmania
Lely Center Tasmania, also known as Dairy Maintenance & Installation, has branches in Smithton and Launceston. They spend every day making farmer's lives easier with innovative solutions and tailored services. Craig and Sheree Stokes established DMI in 2005 at their home in Smithton. The family company has grown over time with Craig training up many technicians and teaching them the knowledge he has gained from his years in the dairy industry. He began working in the dairy industry back in 1988 and is still very passionate about the industry to this day.
