Where Kioti Meets The Unconventional
For Dr Max Bergmann, founder of DromeDairy, farming has never followed a conventional path, and neither has the machinery supporting it.
With a background in agricultural science and a passion for practical farming, Max’s journey spans countries, disciplines and industries. After studying agriculture in Germany and completing a Master’s in Business Management in the UK, Max made the big move to Australia in 2010. Here, he went on to earn his PhD in Agricultural Science at the University of Western Australia, driven by a desire to apply research in ways that deliver real-world impact.
That opportunity came thanks to Max’s wife, Ronja, who happened to come across a documentary on Australia’s wild camel population – the largest and healthiest in the world. The idea sparked what would soon become “DromeDairy”.
Founded in 2015, the business produces premium camel milk and skincare products, with animal welfare and sustainability at its core. It is home to Australia’s only mobile camel milking system and Western Australia’s largest independently owned camel farm. The business blends science-led innovation with practical farming to create a truly unique operation.
While milking his camels, Max noticed how soft his rough, hard-working hands became when exposed to camel milk. Further research revealed its powerful skin-care benefits, and that discovery marked the beginning of DromeDairy Body + Skin.
Building A Business From The Ground Up
DromeDairy began as a share-farming arrangement before relocating to a larger block as the business grew. With expansion came the need for reliable machinery – particularly as physical demands increased with their now 60 hectares.
“We needed a bit more support then, moving hay bales and doing all the physical stuff like cleaning yards, handling animals – you just can’t do it all with a wheelbarrow!” Max explains.
After attending multiple field days and assessing options, Max purchased his Kioti CK4210 in 2017 from his local dealer, standing out from other machines that lacked the durability he required.
“We wanted something compact enough for tight spaces, but not a toy tractor,” he says. “The extra horsepower when deciding between the 37HP or 42HP model made a real difference, especially in that small-tractor segment.”
When asked if he remembers the first day his Kioti arrived on his farm Max says “I remember the truck coming and dropping it off and realising it was my first tractor I had owned after operating a lot of tractors over the years so it was pretty special moment for me.”
Strength Where It Counts
What stood out immediately was the CK4210’s build quality.
“Because Kioti manufactures their own components – including front axles and engines – you can really feel how solid the tractor is,” Max says. “We’ve pushed it hard across some demanding jobs, and it’s never let us down.”
Now clocking over 5,300 operating hours, the CK4210 remains a cornerstone of daily operations at DromeDairy, handling everything from yard work and feeding to hay transport and towing heavy equipment. Its normal for the Kioti to be running at least 2-3 hours each day.
“What I really like is how ergonomic it is for such a small tractor. Unlike other tractors where the loader lever location forces you to lean forward, the CK4210’s loader joystick is positioned beside the driver’s seat, making it much easier to reach. The flat floor platform is especially beneficial to me as I have to jump on and off a fair bit when I’m trying to hook up the milking system to make sure its all lined up.”
A Farm Designed To Work Differently
Max lives with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic condition that severely impacts vision, leaving him with only 2-3% legal vision. A strong “can-do” attitude has helped pave his path, along with the support of his family – particularly his wife – and a willingness to adapt.
“You learn to get on with things, find ways around challenges, and when you can’t do something, you ask for help,” Max says. Rather than limiting his ability to farm, the condition has shaped how he designs his operation.
“We added visual markers on fencing, wide-contrast signage around the farm to help me move around the farm safely. We have a canopy on the Kioti and we added light bars around the tractor for 360-degree visibility which is especially important during early morning and evening milking.”
In the beginning, Max even fitted RTK GPS guidance to the CK4210 – an extremely rare setup for a tractor of its size, achieving accuracy down to two centimetres.
“It felt like a space shuttle,” he laughs. “Probably one of the smallest tractors ever fitted with that level of GPS.”
Powering A World-First Mobile Milking System
Today, the CK4210 plays a vital role in one of DromeDairy’s most innovative achievements: the world’s first mobile camel milking system developed by Max himself.
Rather than bringing camels to a fixed dairy, the entire milking system is taken directly to the animals – reducing environmental impact and improving animal welfare.
The tractor powers and tows a 22-metre modular setup, including a PTO-driven generator, an 11 metre six-camel milking platform (three per side), a milk tank, milking vacuum pump and washing equipment.
“It does this every single day,” Max says. “Fuel efficiency is incrediblewith the Kioti – around 30 litres for the entire week.”
Reliability You Can Build A Business On
For Max, reliability isn’t optional – it’s essential when it comes to machinery that is needed for his farm.
“I deliberately bought a new tractor because when I turn the key, it has to run,” he says. “We’ve basically successfully milked every day since we bought it. The tractor has never caused us to miss a milking due to mechanical failure in the nine years we have owned it.”
Routine servicing, oil changes, and filter replacements have kept the machine running smoothly since day one.
Advice For Other Farmers
Would Max recommend a Kioti to another farmer? He already has.
After seeing Max’s experience firsthand, a friend, previously loyal to other tractor brands, made the switch to Kioti and hasn’t looked back. “He’s very happy,” Max says.
“We’re pretty convinced they’re sturdy. People just have to make that mental shift away from the brands they’ve always known. Kioti is in a different league – they build their own components, and it shows.”
He also stresses the importance of dealer support. “Your relationship with your dealer matters. If you’ve got that support, parts availability and servicing are straightforward.”
After years of ownership – and experience with other brands, Max states “If I were starting again, I’d seriously consider switching everything to Kioti from the beginning. I hope to upgrade in the future as this business grows.”
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Click to learn more about DromeDairy
