There’s no good way to quantify just how much has changed for dairies since a robot milked its first cow over 25 years ago. And part of the reason for that is the great strides the technology has made in the last two decades.
What began as a method of reducing labor and creating flexibility and consistency has quickly become a revolution in cow comfort, animal welfare and sustainability. “For some, that labor aspect is still getting people to go with robotics,” says Jason French, DeLaval VMS Solution Manager, North America.
“But I think more and more we’re looking at overall animal welfare now. Cows on robots seem to be more relaxed. We’re hearing from farms that are getting longer lifespans from their cows because of that more relaxed, stress-free atmosphere in a robot barn,” French says.
It’s a more thorough understanding of all that’s possible with robotics that has gotten the industry to this point. Dan Meihak, Dairy XL Proposition Specialist for Lely North America describes the evolution: “That first robot was fairly unwieldy. It simply took an ID and milked the cow – not really a lot of information gathered. As we started to create more and more points of measurement on each cow, we’re able to grab more information, which has led us to today with over 160 data points that are read from each cow and each milking unit.”
“Of course, that’s an unfathomable amount of information for a producer to use. So, we’re trying to create algorithms and support information that points out those cows and what might be unique to them – what might be a point of attention,” Meihak says.
Amy Steinke, Director of Product Management and Marketing for BouMatic, says artificial intelligence (AI) is driving every industry forward – not just dairy. “AI provides our robots with enhanced vision through better algorithms, developed using neural networks and more udder images. This has created a faster-performing machine with fewer failed attaches, lower attach times, just because the machines are able to learn.”
Continued Advancements
“I think the other enhancement as we progress technologically, is going to be additional sensors in the robots. This gives insights into both milk and health monitoring. We’re already detecting proteins, lactose and cell counts, but there’s going to be more milk component data analyzation in the future, whether it be hormone levels or other health indicators. As all of this data is collected, smarter management decisions are then being made, for health, fertility and other parts of the operation. Since this information is localized, farmers have more insights about their cows and their dairy than they did in the past.”
French adds that farmers are the driving force behind manufacturers, like DeLaval, finding new ways to apply and continue improving the technology. “It’s dairy farmers challenging the system a little bit on how they can make it as efficient and cost-effective as possible, and I think that’s what will impact what happens in the future.”
Meihak alludes to a not-so-distant future where management decisions are not only more efficient and informed, but possibly even automated to some degree through the application of AI.
“The information we collect is going to start automating decision-making. That means the software will learn how the user interprets the data, and the user is going to have to engage and record some of the actions they take on those attention cows. The industry is just at the beginning of incorporating these kind of sophisticated AI solutions.
“I think right now, people are understanding that information and that the data is very sensitive. In the future, I can envision a time when the data is telling you what’s wrong with that cow and what you absolutely need to do with her based on past actions you’ve recorded,” Meihak says.
Steinke describes a research and development process for BouMatic that includes learning about different applications of technology from other industries. She says she sees opportunities for robotic technology to be applied in conventional settings, as well.
“In today’s digital age, dairy producers want insights to better manage their daily operation. Information that we’re starting to gain from a robot, I think is going to replicate over into conventional milking, too,” she says. “So, for example, sensors that can detect certain protein levels in a robot may eventually be added to future conventional milk harvest systems and automation packages.”
Continued Evolution
Looking at the big-picture benefits of robotic milking, French hopes for premiums for milk harvested using robots. “Will processors get to a point where they want their cows and the labor that looks after those cows coming from robotic milking facilities, and could that be a premium in the future? I don’t know if that’s a pipe dream, but I think it’s something that farms would love to have, and I’d like to figure out if it’s possible.”
Pipe dream or not, robotic technology will continue to evolve as long as dairy producers continue to ask “what’s possible?”
