Family Van der Bij '10 years on, and I’d choose the M²erlin again in a heartbeat'

10 years ago, organic dairy farmer Jacob van der Bij took a big step: he switched to automatic milking with the M²erlin. As one of the first farmers in the Netherlands to adopt the robot, he now milks 120 cows with two M²erlins and enjoys flexibility, peace of mind, and reliability. As he puts it: “The foundation was solid right from the start – and it’s only gotten better since.”

Organic dairy farming

Together with his wife Jacoba, Jacob runs an organic dairy farm where nature conservation, animal welfare, and meadow bird protection play a central role. With 120 dairy cows, youngstock, and plenty of grazing land, they combine milk production with a strong focus on biodiversity. 10 years ago, Jacob was among the first farmers in the Netherlands to choose the M²erlin milking robot from Fullwood.

At the time, he was already working with dealer Tinus de Jong, who supplied Fullwood milking parlours. “We compared several brands back then,” Jacob recalls. “The M²erlin stood out for the quality of the milking and the quiet operation. Other robots were air-driven and noisier, but I wanted the cows to stand calmly. That made the difference for me.”

A good start, a trusted process

The transition to automatic milking went smoothly. “At first, we guided the cows a bit, but they learned quickly,” Jacob explains. “By the third day, they were walking to the robot on their own. That was a great moment — the promise of freedom and flexibility became real. We hardly ever have to fetch them; they come to the robot themselves.”

Today, the cows are milked on average 2.5 times per day, and around 3 times in winter. “That doesn’t just increase milk yield — it also creates a better rhythm for the cows. Milking is calmer and more natural, which fits perfectly with our farming philosophy.”

Caring for nature

For the Van der Bij family, farming is about more than just milk production — it’s about sustainability and caring for the environment. With shallow wetland plots, wildlife-friendly banks, and higher water levels, their farm has become a haven for lapwings, black-tailed godwits, and redshanks. The family also avoids artificial fertilisers and pesticides and generates its own renewable energy.

For Jacob, the M²erlin fits perfectly into that picture. “It’s a reliable, animal-friendly milking robot that aligns with our vision of organic farming. The robot supports us — but it’s still a partnership between people, animals, and technology.”

Reliable and continuously improving

Over the past decade, Jacob has seen the M²erlin evolve — without losing its core design. “The foundation was strong from the beginning, but practical improvements have been added over time,” he says. “Things like screen settings, automatic teat spraying, and other small refinements. As a user, you hardly notice — and that’s actually the best compliment: it just works.”

Breakdowns are rare. “Over the years, the system has become more and more refined — and now it just runs,” Jacob explains. “And if something does come up, it’s solved quickly. The dealer is easy to reach, and often you can fix it yourself. It’s still technology working with animals, but you can really depend on the M²erlin.”

Flexibility and peace of mind

The arrival of the milking robots changed Jacob’s daily life dramatically. “In the past, I was tied to two fixed milking times each day — now I have much more freedom,” he says. “I can organise my day differently and make my own choices. That flexibility is something every farmer deserves. And you notice the cows are calmer too. Calm cows create a calm farmer — you see that every day in the barn.”

It’s an experience Jacob gladly recommends to others. “If you’re thinking about switching to a milking robot — do it,” he says. “The freedom it gives you is incredible. You can plan your work better, spend more time with the animals, and still have time for other things on the farm. The cows are more relaxed, milk production remains stable, and the system runs reliably.”