DeLaval Voluntary Milking System (VMS) is making waves across the U.S. Midwest with the first units in Iowa and Missouri fully operational. As more states open their doors to DeLaval VMS, the opportunity for producers to reduce the labor required for milking and make informed decisions about their herd's health is becoming increasingly easier.

Since installing its first VMS for commercial use in the United States in 2005, DeLaval has been careful to comply with state regulatory requirements. The company started laying the foundation for a smooth approval process by initiating pre-inspections for equipment training with each state's Department of Agriculture. Already 17 states have authorized DeLaval VMS installations.

Mark Futcher, DeLaval's Marketing Manager, Automatic Milking, says more and more progressive dairy families are looking to automation. He adds:

"In an effort to make this technology shift as seamless as possible for our customers, we've invested in a new VMS training center in Waunakee, Wis., and two mobile VMS stations with working milk transport pipelines; buffer-controlled cooling vats; and all valve connections to milk storage tanks. The mobile units can be taken to a state inspector's office where officials can learn about the technology and discuss concerns before a VMS unit is installed in their state.

"Not only has this process paved the way for pre-approvals, but our collaboration with state inspectors has improved VMS quality and assured its early compliance to food safety regulations – saving the customer time and frustration."

Furthermore, the advancement of automation in the dairy industry has brought with it new technologies in valve design for milk safety. DeLaval has successfully certified its unique valve design for VMS according to 3-A sanitary standards – a notable food safety and public health qualification for equipment fabricators.

About DeLaval VMS
DeLaval VMS allows for round-the-clock milking designed to optimize high quality milk yield. VMS helps farm managers run more sustainable, professional and productive dairy operations. The VMS 2011offers smarter technologies, added system integration possibilities and further upgradability options.

12.07.2011