Between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.

Guillaume Lemesle is a traditional organic dairy farmer in France. Thanks to his two Weidemann telescopic wheel loaders, he has been able to significantly increase his productivity.

The GAEC de la Branchette farm is located in Argentré-du-Plessis in Brittany. The Lemesle family's organic dairy farm keeps around 200 Prim'Holstein cows on about 190 ha of pasture land. The animals are reared outdoors. In addition to breeding, GAEC de la Branchette also includes two artisanal farms that process and market the farm's products themselves.

The first craft business is a bakery. Here, sourdough breads and brioches are made by hand and in the traditional way. Only organic grain grown on the farm itself is used. The bread is then baked in the 200-year-old farm oven, which is still fired with oak and chestnut bundles. The second craft business is involved in the production of ice cream, which is marketed under the brand name "Mademoiselle Fayel". It is supplied to selected outlets throughout Brittany. Although Guillaume Lemesle and his 4 employees are very attached to tradition, they are open to new technologies and the advantages they bring to their business.

When they wanted to invest in a new conventional telescopic handler in 2016, they discovered the advantages of the Weidemann telescopic wheel loader with articulated steering during a demonstration. They were immediately convinced by the central, raised position in the spacious cab. Thanks to the excellent visibility on both sides of the telescopic boom, it offers extra comfort and safety. The driver can thus work safer and faster. In addition, the organic farmers were enthusiastic about the incomparable manoeuvrability due to the articulated steering. Especially inside buildings, the machine can be moved much more smoothly. The first purchase was thus a Weidemann 5080T, which is used for around 900 hours a year in the cowshed. Thanks to the hydraulic quick-change device, attachments can be changed very quickly and safely for a variety of applications. For example, the loader is used daily with the bedding implement, with the feed pusher blade and with the light material bucket. It is also used for all handling operations, e.g. round or square bales, manure, compost or loading mixing and grain wagons. Finally, it is also ideal for mowing and mulching and for maintaining pasture access roads.

Thanks to its "load-sensing" hydraulic system, which allows the hydraulic flow to be adjusted to the load and the work to be done, this compact 117 hp machine is much more efficient than the heavier and higher horsepower old telehandler. Nevertheless, the advantage of compactness and lower fuel consumption remains. Guillaume Lemesle estimates that productivity has increased by 15 to 20 %!

In 2017, Guillaume Lemesle decided to invest in a second loader and his choice fell on a 2080T, which is used 450 hours a year in the calf barn about ten kilometres away. It is smaller, but can stack up to 6 square bales thanks to its telescopic arm with a lifting height of 4.30 m. With a width of 1.70 m, it can also be used for cleaning the barn and in the feed alley, which is barely 2 m wide. The old tractor was not up to this demand. The 2080T is also used daily with the bale wrapper. Guillaume Lemesle and his family have no regrets about choosing these two Weidemann machines, the perfect all-rounders and multitaskers, with German quality as a bonus!