GEA’s new semi-automated milking concept combines the benefits of a conventional milking parlor with the performance of automated milking processes. Designed to integrate with existing conventional parlor infrastructure, DairyProX helps dairy producers take further steps toward automated milking routines while supporting operational efficiency and process consistency.
GEA DairyProX is a semi-automated milking system initially available for the U.S. market, with the potential for future expansion into additional countries and regions. The system can be integrated into existing conventional milking parlors with a subway, allowing dairy farms to increase automation while continuing to use their established infrastructure. Source: GEA
Many dairy farms face the challenge of further automating workflows in conventional milking parlors without having to replace existing installations. At the same time, the importance of a consistent milking routine, high milk quality, and excellent hygiene continues to grow. At this year's EuroTier, GEA is introducing DairyProX, a new solution designed specifically to address these requirements. The semi-automated milking system has been developed for conventional milking parlors with a subway: While operators continue to attach the teat cups manually, GEA’s In-Liner-Everything technology can automate multiple steps of the milking routine directly inside the teat cup.
Automation through In-Liner-Everything Technology
DairyProX uses GEA’s In-Liner Everything technology to automate the milking routine, a technology that has already proven itself in GEA’s fully automatic milking systems. While the milking unit is attached manually in DairyProX systems, In-Liner Everything takes over large parts of the routine directly inside the teat cup automatically. This can include stimulation, teat cleaning, dipping procedures and milking processes as well as backflushing of the teat cups.
The automated milking routine supports consistent milking quality and hygiene, regardless of individual differences in manual execution. Consistent stimulation and udder preparation can also promote milk flow while supporting udder health and teat condition. For farms looking to further automate their operations, DairyProX helps establish a more consistent milking routine while making processes more standardized and reproducible.
Practical benefits for conventional farms with a subway
Initial experience from U.S. pilot farms indicates that GEA DairyProX has the potential to improve the performance of conventional milking systems in several key areas. With the new system, pilot farms were able to nearly halve labor requirements in the parlor while milking more than one-third more cows in the same parlor. The pilot data also indicate shorter overall milking times, a reduction in somatic cell count of up to 30 percent, and a slight decline in mastitis cases. These results support the farms’ original objectives of reducing labor requirements, maintaining or increasing cow throughput, and improving milk quality metrics.
From North American rollout to further development
GEA DairyProX will initially be introduced in North America for selected conventional milking parlors with a subway. Experience gained from U.S. pilot farms and the market launch in North America provides GEA with a practical foundation for evaluating how semi-automated milking can be further developed for additional milking systems and regions around the world. Combined with GEA’s extensive expertise in both automated and conventional milking systems, these insights help assess different regulatory requirements and system configurations, supporting GEA’s long-term ambition of making DairyProX accessible to dairy farms worldwide.
GEA will showcase the DairyProX system at EuroTier 2026, taking place November 10-13 in Hanover, Germany, in Hall 13, Booth C25.
Lilian Schmalenstroer
About GEA
GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. For instance, every second pharma separator for essential healthcare products such as vaccines or novel biopharmaceuticals is produced by GEA. In food, every fourth package of pasta or every third chicken nugget are processed with GEA technology.
With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated sales of about EUR 5.5 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2025 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customers’ production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world.”
GEA is listed on the German DAX, the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is also a constituent of the leading sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability and Dow Jones Best-in-Class World.
