How Retevis Solved the Wireless Communication Challenges of Faria Brothers Dairy Farm
About Faria Brothers Dairy Farm
Faria Brothers Dairy Farm, located in Texas, USA, is one of the top ten largest dairy farms in the world. With approximately 95,000 cows and an annual milk production of around 1 million tons, the Faria family operates several dairy farms across New Mexico, Washington, and Texas. Their Texas operations span a vast area, comprising 15-20 individual dairy farms across roughly 17,500 square miles and employing about 3,000 staff. Due to the complex operations and dispersed workforce, efficient communication is crucial, especially in emergency situations.
Challenges and Requirements
However, in a vast and varied terrain, traditional communication tools often face issues such as signal interference, limited coverage, and compatibility problems. Previously, the radio equipment used by Faria Brothers had several issues, including insufficient signal coverage, short battery life, and frequent connectivity problems. As a result, Faria Brothers decided to seek a more efficient and stable communication solution to improve team productivity and emergency response capabilities.
Before approaching Retevis, Faria Brothers faced a series of critical communication challenges:
- Fragmented Communication: CB radios used by feed transport and cleaning crews were incompatible with handheld units, forcing staff to use WhatsApp as a supplement—an unreliable solution in areas with poor cellular network coverage.
- Inadequate Equipment Performance: Legacy radios suffered from short battery life, insufficient range, and poor signal penetration. Metal fences, concrete walls, and rolling terrain severely disrupted communication.
- Operational Inefficiency & Safety Risks: With staff scattered across the site, coordinating daily tasks like feeding, milking, and machinery work was time-consuming. The inability to communicate instantly during bad weather, equipment failure, or livestock emergencies posed significant safety risks.
- High Demand for User-Friendliness: Many workers had limited education and were not adept at using smartphones, necessitating a solution that was extremely simple, intuitive, and robust.
The Initial Solution (2023)
In 2023, Faria Brothers approached Retevis seeking an affordable, practical, and easy-to-use communication solution. After in-depth discussions covering core needs like 24-hour battery life, IP67 protection, multi-unit charging, simple operation, and budget for large-volume procurement, the Retevis team recommended 1,500 units of the RT5R.
The RT5R, a compact yet powerful 5-watt dual-band handheld radio, perfectly matched the initial requirements:
This upgrade effectively replaced the legacy equipment, providing the farm with a unified and reliable communication foundation and earning initial recognition from Faria Brothers.
The Further Upgrade (2025)
As operations evolved, Faria Brothers presented a new challenge: the need to cover their entire operational area and enable communication between two adjacent small farms, with a point-to-point coverage range of approximately 25 miles. To meet this demand, Retevis sent a customer manager to Texas for an on-site visit to assess the situation and recommend the best solution.
Based on the findings, Retevis recommended a GMRS repeater solution, including Retevis RT29 long-range radios, Retevis RB48P radios, and the Retevis RT97L GMRS repeater. The specific solution is as follows:
- The Core Hub: RT97L GMRS Repeater - Installed on the roof of the central farm building, eliminating dead zones, extending coverage well over 25 miles, bridging communication between adjacent farms.
- The Rugged Radio Choice: RB48Plus Radio - Ideal for feed truck and manure unloading truck drivers, 5-mile range, repeater functionality, IP67 dust/water resistance, withstands washdowns.
- The Portable Choice: RT29 Radio - 3200mAh battery, clear audio, rugged build, 6-unit charger, emergency alert function perfect for livestock management and rapid response.
Results & Benefits
Faria Brothers Dairy Farm now has a reliable and advanced two-way radio solution which is perfect for group communication. The Retevis two-way radios themselves are very easy-to-use, meaning Dairy farm staff can keep their full attention on their jobs. Exceptional coverage has also been achieved thanks to Retevis's robust and cost-effective Retevis RT97L GMRS repeater with communication being achieved “well over 25 miles” from repeater site at the main Dairy Farm.
“For a farm, two-way radios are as important as tractor keys. Previously, we often lost contact on hills and back roads where cell service is unreliable. Retevis's new solution has changed our daily operations. Whether it's about herd health, feed supply, or any emergency, information is relayed instantly, greatly improving our response times. Our staff are connected no matter where they are, which gives them peace of mind, saves us time, and provides a real return on our investment.”
Through its ongoing partnership with Retevis, Faria Brothers Dairy has built a robust, reliable, and scalable radio communication system that powerfully supports its world-class operational efficiency and safety standards.
Seamless coordination
Connected instantly
Coverage without dead zones
25+ miles bridge link
