Behind The Scenes at Kansas’ First Robotic Dairy

Behind The Scenes at Kansas’ First Robotic Dairy

When Duane and Ronda Meier built a two free stall barns with a new parlor the original intention wasn’t that their children would be back on the farm 20 years later working with them. When the double-10 parlor was nearing the end of its days at Meier Dairy near Palmer, Kan. a decision needed to be made on what milking system to go with.

The Meier family opted to go with robotic milkers because finding milkers, especially for the third shift was becoming difficult. The technology also offered additional opportunities for four of the five Meier children to remain involved with the farm after coming back from college.

Duane and Ronda spoke at World Dairy Expo during a Virtual Farm Tour where they shared their experience automating their dairy and working with the next generation.

Going with robotics has been beneficial to the cows with production coming up from when the dairy was at three-times a day milking, prior to going to two-times because of a lack of local labor.

Duane believes the robotics, which include automatic feed pushers and automatic calf feeders, are helping better care for the cows.

“Take care of the cows and they’ll take care of you,” Duane says.

Meiers are milking 650 cows total, with the majority being Holsteins and 65 head of Jerseys milked and managed in a separate pen. The current rolling herd average of 25,000 lb. with cows going through the robotic milkers 2.9 times per day. The combined bulk tank averages are 3.75% fat and 3.30% protein.

Here is a brief timeline of the Meier Dairy:

  • Meier family homesteaded in late 1800s around Clay County, Kan.
  • Duane’s grandfather built a stanchion barn in 1919, the start of a dairy farming tradition near Palmer, Kan.
  • In 1971, Duane and his father built a double-4 parlor
  • Duane purchased the dairy in 1978 from his parents, milking 80 cows
  • In 1997, Duane and Ronda built new free stall barns with a double-10 parlor for 650 cows
  • Meier Dairy was honored in 2004 with the Kansas Distinguished Farm Family Award
  • Their son Tony added a Jersey cow herd to the traditionally Holstein farm
  • In 2015, the dairy made the move into robotics with the installation of 12 Lely robots installed, the first in Kansas

In the future an automated feeding system like the Lely Vector might be a possibility to help add more automation to the farm, Duane says.

Ronda’s one request before she hands the reigns over to the next generation would be a new calf and heifer facility.

Last year we featured the Meiers in our October issue of Dairy Herd Management. To read the story go to the following link:

Automation Renovation: First Robotic Dairy in Kansas

Below you can watch the Virtual Farm Tour of Meier Dairy:

 

Latest News

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development
Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development

Kansas Dairy Development provides temporary housing for up to 80,000 head of cattle — from a few days old to springers nearly ready to calve. Their formula for success is all in the details.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

Built Out of Love: How Two Sisters Created a Super-Fast-Growing Yogurt Company
Built Out of Love: How Two Sisters Created a Super-Fast-Growing Yogurt Company

Travel to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and you’ll meet Hayley and Stephanie Painter who not only made the Forbes 30 under 30 list, but have also created one of the fastest growing yogurt company in the U.S.

"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years
"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years

Once a technology becomes a boring experience it means it has become proven, well-adopted, and easy to utilize. There are three "boring" technologies silently shaping the industry.

Influential Dairy Leaders Awarded World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards
Influential Dairy Leaders Awarded World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards

World Dairy Expo is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 Expo Recognition Awards. These individuals have made remarkable contributions to the dairy industry and their communities.