After more than 20 years on the market in the U.S., robotic milking systems (RMS) continue to gain popularity as farms battle the ongoing challenges of labor expense and shortages.
The PRO-DAIRY program at Cornell University has published a comprehensive, five-part fact sheet series that parse the many considerations of building, adapting to, and managing a robotically milked dairy herd.
Topics include:
- Overview of RMS – Benefits, challenges, economics, and taking the deep dive into robotic milking.
- RMS Management Changes and Considerations – Exploring the changes that accompany a switch to robotic milking, including nutrition, labor, time management, cow management, and animal health.
- Designing and Setting Up a New RMS Facility – Basic barn design, fan placements, space for the robots, and more.
- Starting Up a New RMS Facility – A valuable discussion on the challenges of transitioning to a new RMS barn, including what should happen the first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months after the switch.
- Cow Flow Strategies – Free flow, guided flow, or hybrid flow – which is best for your herd?
The series provides a candid and unbiased narrative on the pros and cons of adopting robotic milking, including economic comparisons, mindset changes, and the fact that robotically milked cows can become “obnoxiously friendly.”
Each piece is a quick read, and collectively the series is a helpful primer for anyone considering a change to robotic milking.
