Feeding management in robotic dairies is all about meeting the goals of the dairy. Although this is true on all dairies, the University of Minnesota’s Jim Salfer described it as especially noteworthy
During the 18-month study that included 53 farms, visits per day and milking speed were the two most influential cow level factors. Both of these played a determining role in the amount of milk produced...
Feeding consistency is difficult with robots. Automated milking systems come with advantages that include customization of both milking schedules and feeding of concentrates based on individual cows' requirements....
The success of a robotic milking system depends on four good feet to get each cow to the robot with ease. "Healthy feet are absolutely critical for success in robot barns," said Jack Rodenburg from DairyLogix...
Kiefland Holsteins in southeastern Minnesota installed its first robotic milkers in 2011, and the family has learned a great deal in the past four years
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
Format that attaches at every stall attracted many lookers at World Ag Expo this week. Goodbye milkers. One of the busiest dairy exhibits at World Ag Expo this week in Tulare, Calif., gave an up-close...
Little by little, cow milking is evolving from manual to automated. Not just for small herds, but for everyone. Adoption of robotic milking technology, whether as individual "box" units or as automated...
Five hundred robotic milking systems (RMS) are estimated to be in use in the U.S. today. As the total has grown, key management factors have emerged as "must do" priorities to optimize their value and...
The first-ever robotic rotary milking parlor in North America is coming to Wisconsin. An exciting groundbreaking ceremony was held last week at Mlsna East Town Dairy in Cashton, Wis. Excavation has already...
If robots are the next evolution of milking cows on a large scale, then the future is here already. Except it is happening slowly and not at all in the U.S. . . . yet
Healthy cows with healthy hooves are the most productive and efficient in a robotic milking system. "Healthy feet are critical in a robot milking situation," said Jack Rodenburg from DairyLogix Consulting...
A Canadian consultant shares his four cornerstones to designing barns for robotic milkers. By Abby Bauer, Hoard's Dairyman Associate Editor Robotic milking systems can fit in a variety of barn layouts,...
Hoard's Dairyman webinar discusses considerations when going to robots. Larry Tranel, Iowa State University, spoke on robotic milking during the August 12 Hoard's Dairyman webinar, titled "Is robotic milking...
New dairy farm technologies were center stage at the Precision Dairy Conference last week. Just as cellphones are slowly phasing out landlines, some current mechanics and methods of operation on dairy...
As we wrap-up our 62nd Round Table series, "Robots milk our herds," the four herds featured in our February 25 issue share advise for others considering robots