DeLaval announced this week that it has a new dealer in Colorado, the first of which will exclusively sell and support DeLaval robotic solutions. High Plains Robotics is a collaborative venture of Colorado businessmen Kevin Fiske and John de Jonge and will serve dairy producers in Colorado, Wyoming and Western Nebraska.

The owners and staff of High Plains Robotics are longtime Colorado dairy producers. Fiske, of Fiske Electric, has his own 700-cow family dairy, and his colleague, Randy Checketts, was raised in the dairy industry and brings multiple years of experience with DeLaval solutions. De Jonge is passionate about cow comfort and the success of farmers.

Knowing that the largest robotic dairy in the world is home to 64 DeLaval VMS, High Plains Robotics saw a match between the large herd expertise of DeLaval and the needs of western states dairies.

“High Plains Robotics has identified the need and is prepared to meet the demand for VMS in these large, western dairies,” Checketts said. “By pairing all of our industry expertise with DeLaval robotics, we’re confident we can bring the best solutions and support to dairies in Colorado.”

Checketts and his team were also drawn to the only robot that can preg-check cows: the VMS Supra+. He stated, “The capabilities for preg-checking and monitoring mastitis and ketosis are going to be a great asset to the dairies out here.”

Checketts added, “We’re the same people you’ve known in your community for over 41 years. We’re really excited about this new opportunity for service to our dairies in the West.”

Clyde Olmstead, DeLaval district manager, was instrumental in starting up the dealership.

“Having a robotics-exclusive dealership, especially while robotics are starting to take off in this part of the country, is going to be the ticket to these producers’ success,” Olmstead said. “A whole new set of management practices comes with robots, and High Plains Robotics will really be able to hone in on that with their customers.”