Robotic milking is certainly nothing new in the dairy world. However, a new approach to automated milking is gaining traction in the industry – robotic batch-style milking.
With reliable labor availability on a downward slope, this milking style has become an enticing option for producers to stay competitive and sustainable while relying on fewer employees. By automating the milking process and allowing for more precise herd management, this technology not only reduces labor costs but also helps enhance overall farm productivity.
“Automated batch-style milking combines the labor savings and technology benefits of a robot with the management style of a parlor,” says Julie Whitmer, automated milking system (AMS) business development manager for GEA.
This innovative approach involves milking cows in groups at scheduled times using a row of box robots, effectively replicating a conventional parlor setup.
“Built on our box robot’s proven technology and performance, this milking style gives dairy farmers another option to milk their cows with more data and consistency,” says Whitmer. “It also gives dairies the flexibility to upgrade their milking facilities while using existing barns, holding pens and sorting areas.”
Whitmer outlines five ways dairy farmers can benefit from robotic batch milking.
1. Enhanced Safety for Employees and Cows
According to Whitmer, batch-style milking helps reduce the need for several well-trained people to perform cow prep and milking tasks during every milking shift. Instead, the robots allow employees to be more flexible with their responsibilities, keeping them out of harm’s way when it comes to milking and treating animals.
“Batch-style milking enhances safety and comfort for the cow and employee,” Whitmer says. “You can minimize the chance for injuries by reducing the potential of risky interactions between people and cows in the parlor – all while making the milking experience quiet, consistent and more enjoyable for the cow.”
2. Streamlined Maintenance of Equipment
Compared to traditional box-robot operations, batch-style milking systems allow producers to place robots closer together instead of spreading them out throughout various pens. This allows the robots to be more centrally located, streamlining maintenance tasks.
“Since you have downtime between milkings, you have more time to service the robots without disrupting daily routines,” Whitmer adds.
3. More Efficient Cow Flow
Another advantage to robotic batch-style milking is reducing the time spent handling cows. In traditional robotic setups, producers will often have to fetch cows who don’t show up to the robot on their own. Batch-style systems operate more like a parlor with cows being brought to the robot in groups.
“You don’t have any fetch cows since you’re bringing the cows up to the boxes to be milked,” Whitmer says. “With all cows exiting the boxes at a fixed milking time, it’s easy to sort out cows that need attention instead of looking at a fetch list and finding them hours later.”
In addition to better cow flow, Whitmer says other tasks like running cows through a foot bath or hoof trimming can be completed just like with a traditional parlor.
4. Specified Nutrition
Cows milked with automatic milking systems are typically incentivized to enter the robot by feeding a specialized pellet. The same is true with robotic batch-style milking. Unlike a parlor system, producers can feed individual cows a certain amount of specialized feed based on their individual needs.
“We can top-dress the bunk ration by feeding more energy and protein in the robot,” Whitmer says. “This helps you push individual cows while controlling costs more at the bunk.”
5. More Consistent Milking
Different from traditional robotic systems where cows determine when and how often they want to be milked, batch-style milking allows cows to stay on a consistent milking schedule without the need of designated milking employees.
“This streamlined process maximizes the milk letdown effect from the cow for faster milking times, which leads to better box times and more cows milked per hour,” Whitmer adds.
By reducing the risk of human error and setting specific times for groups to be milked, animals in batch-style systems have the benefit of a consistent routine in a non-traditional, data-driven setup.
“You can expect consistent milking by delegating the milking process to automation,” Whitmer says. “GEA’s milking robots are built on proven technology, providing a strong foundation for this style of milking.”
