With roots stretching back to 1907, the Coubroughs are continuing a rich farming legacy in Tīrau that has spanned over a century. The fifth-generation family farm is led by Brett (father), Linda (daughter) and Tim (son), where they milk their 150-cow herd through a voluntary GEA DairyRobot system.
Dairy farming wasn’t always the career of choice for Brett, Linda and Tim, however. At age 17, Brett left the farm with plans to study farming at Lincoln University but instead pursued electrical engineering, working in the industry until he returned to the farm in his 50’s. Likewise, Linda and Tim sought their own paths after school, both earning degrees in science. Linda also spent some time in the Police force before eventually trading corporate life for farming.
From left to right: Brett, Linda and Tim Coubrough
To make life back on farm work for everyone, some things needed to change. Lifestyle was a key driver behind the decision to install a robotic milking system. However, the decision wasn’t made overnight. It was the result of decades of planning, research and infrastructure upgrades designed to support automated milking. It wasn’t until the GEA DairyRobot was launched in New Zealand in 2025 that they took the leap into robotics.
“The collars, the raceways, the infrastructure, everything we put in the shed to upgrade it as we went along, we knew robot wise, this was going to help us get there.” – Linda Coubrough
The goal was to build a farming system that could be comfortably managed by the three of them. Bringing in more staff wasn’t an option. “We didn’t want to hire anyone in. Robots versus staff was a no-brainer” says Linda.
Now that the DairyRobots are managing milking, life on farm has become more flexible. Time that was previously spent in the dairy shed can now be directed to other priorities, including farm maintenance, calf rearing, pasture management and further on-farm automation. The new system also allows one person to easily manage the farm when needed, so they can take time off without needing to bring in anyone to cover.
“You have to have enough spare time and the rest of it to still live life. You're not tied just to the shed. That’s what it comes down to.’ – Brett Coubrough
The cows have adapted to the new routine well too. With the freedom to choose when they’re milked and how often, they can move to and from the dairy at their own pace. “Some cows want to be milk three times a day, some only want to be milked once a day, they have that bit more choice,” says Linda.
When looking at their options, the GEA DairyRobot ticked a lot of their boxes. One of the more important features was the ability to access the cow during milking. The DairyRobot box provides a clear view of the udder and easy access for manual tasks, such as administering treatments, checking cows or trimming tails. Having access via the robots allows them to carry out these manual tasks during milking, without disrupting the day-to-day routine.
For Linda, the individual quarter milking has been a standout feature. The system milks each quarter separately to maximise milk yield and support udder health. Coupled with the cell count sensor, which monitors conductivity and cell count rises per quarter, the DairyRobots ensure only high-quality milk reaches the bulk milk tank. As a result, cell count has already improved compared to the same period the previous year.
At the time of speaking to Linda, a small number of cows had high conductivity and cell counts in one of their quarters, which the DairyRobot has managed effectively. It automatically milks each quarter individually and diverts milk with high readings to be dumped. Through the system alerts or GEA DairyNet (herd management software), Linda can quickly identify which cows need attention too, making treatment simpler and more efficient.
The compact design of the DairyRobot also made a retrofit installation possible. By repurposing their existing herringbone shed and pit, the Coubroughs were able to smoothly transition to robotics without needing to build new. It’s also allowed them to retain six of the original milking points to use as a ‘hospital plant’ when required.
“[The DairyRobots] fit in really quite nicely.” – Linda Coubrough
Installing the two DairyRobots has been an investment into the future for the Coubroughs. It’s laying the foundation for a smarter and more efficient farming operation that supports better herd management, more productive routines, improved work-life balance and long-term succession planning.
“It's an investment for longevity. Succession-wise, it’s about carrying on what we’re doing for as long as possible but make it as easy as possible for ourselves.” – Linda Coubrough
GEA Automated Milking Systems
Our Automated Milking Systems are designed to integrate into any farm setup. Whether you are milking a small herd or running a large operation, we have a robotic solution to match.
With both voluntary and batch milking options available, we will provide the best solution for your herd, your business and the next generation, ready for whatever dairy farming might look like down the track.
