Craig Finke has one of the most automated dairy facilities in the country. While setups like his are common in Europe, very few producers in the United States have dove as deep into technology as he has.
A few years ago, Finke Farms was in need of an updated manure system. Along with that project came a chain of decisions that led to the installation of two robotic milk boxes, an automatic calf feeder, and an automated TMR mixer and feeding system for the cow herd. The barn is also sprinkled with other technologies to improve cow care and comfort, including web cameras, thermostat-controlled curtains, a manure flush system, sand-bedded stalls, grooming brushes and more.
The need for a new manure system, along with a few personal health issues, helped shape the decision to make the farm more automated. The root of the motivation was clear, however, when Finke pointed to a photo of his family as he spoke about his farm at the Precision Dairy Conference in Rochester, Minn., last week and said, "These are the people I made the investment for."
Finke pointed out several benefits to the technologies he has adopted. One was the ability to expand from 85 to 120 cows while reducing labor costs by $30,000 a year. Milk production went up, and the management tools help him better care for cows. Feed costs are also lower, as the ration ingredients are accurately measured on a daily basis, and rations are tailored more specifically to each cow's needs.
When asked what surprised him most about the installation of these automated systems, Finke said he was surprised how "hands off" dairy farming could be. With most of the repetitive, day-to-day chores taken care of, Finke has more time to observe and care for cows. Most importantly, he also has more time to spend with his family.
While Finke says there's no pressure on his children to take over the dairy when they grow up, he wanted to make sure the farm was a place they could come back to someday if they were so inclined. "My hope is that, by incorporating these technologies on farms, we can keep the next generation interested in cows," he explained.
(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2015
June 29, 2015
