Dairy Farmers Embrace Robotic Milkers

Whether they milk with a robot or through a traditional milking parlor, dairy farmers work hard to provide a delicious, nutritious and versatile product, as described in this article written by Chris Chinn, Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Last fall, she and other senior staff members at the Department had the chance to visit two of Missouri’s Grade A dairy farms. Each of these farms is a generational farm, milking cows over several decades, and while they were quite similar, they were still very different.

“These producers are a great representation of the scope of Missouri agriculture and the epitome of why we celebrate June as Dairy Month,” said Chinn.

Adapting in the dairy business

Our first stop was to a 100-cow dairy using robotic milkers. This was the first time for most of our team to see a robot milker in action. We were all impressed with the efficiency of the machine and the ease of the process.

For those of you not familiar with a robotic milking machine, the robot completes all the tasks of a human during traditional milking operations. The difference is that the cows choose when they are ready to be milked. Each cow is recognized by the robot as she enters the milking parlor, based on the individual collar she wears.

The robot knows the exact position of her teats through her milking history. An automated system cleans each teat, then attaches milking suctions to the udder, just like a traditional system. As each portion of the udder is emptied, the individual suction is released from that teat until all four are complete.

The second farm we visited was a traditional milking parlor at the time of our visit. The farm is also installing robotic milking machines, preparing to switch to the new system this summer.

What sets this 120-cow dairy apart from the first farm is that this family farm shifted to making cheese several years ago. In an effort to add value to their sustainable, nutritious product, the family built a cheesemaking facility adjacent to the milking parlor.

Delicious cheese is marketed through retail stores and farmers’ markets across Missouri. Adding the cheese component to this family farm has allowed the next generation to diversify its individual farming interests while remaining on the family farm.

Case for robotics in dairy farming

What strikes me about each of these farming operations is the use of technology that allows for the continuation of production agriculture. Both of these farms are still milking dairy cows, and each farm is using innovation to keep the farm moving forward.

So why are farms turning to robotic milking units?

Robotic milkers allow for flexibility because the farmer is not tied to specific milking times each day, allowing more time for cow care. Additionally, the robot captures an incredible amount of data on each cow instantaneously, including her eating habits, rumination and activity level (to know if she is in heat or to catch and treat illness early). Think of the collar like a bovine smartwatch.

As each cow is milked, the milk goes into a collection jar in the robot to be weighed and measured. With this data, farmers can see daily production of each animal, another indicator of her comfort and health.

Labor challenges are another reason for the move to automated systems on Missouri dairy farms.

It is no secret that a labor shortage is an issue for many, if not most, aspects of agriculture. Dairy farms are no different. These automated systems cut down on the number of employees necessary to operate the farm and free up time for other farm needs.

Protect, celebrate dairy industry

No matter the milking system, all Missouri Grade A dairy farms and dairy processing facilities are inspected by the State Milk Board, which is housed at the Missouri Department of Agriculture. This team ensures orderly and sanitary production, transportation, processing, and grading of milk and milk products.

As we celebrate Dairy Month in June, raise a glass of milk to the Missouri dairy farmer. We salute them this month and every month.

EDITOR’S TAKE:

This informative article was written by Director Chinn. She is a farmer in her own right and knows a thing or two about farming. Her article provides some very sound rationale for why such technology is so readily adopted on farms across America. As we celebrate Dairy Month in June, this can provide a good reminder that dairy farmers are working hard to improve their operations and at the same time provide us, as consumers, with that safe, wholesome and reasonably priced food we all enjoy.

Dairy farmers would appreciate your support any time of the year, but especially in June.  Be sure to emphasize Dairy Month on your website.