0033 Changes in dairy farm management strategies with the adoption of robotic milking

Abstract

Adoption of robotic milking on dairies of up to 250 cows is improving the lifestyle of dairy families, and it is an effective way to reduce labor in herds of all sizes. Since milking is voluntary, and feed delivered during milking is the main enticer for attendance, feeding strategies that offer palatable pelleted concentrate in the milking stations, combined with low starch mixed feeds or forage at the feed fence, improve milking frequency and production. Barn layouts that encourage low-stress access by providing adequate open space near the milking stations and escape routes for waiting cows also improve milking frequency and reduce the number of cows requiring fetching. Lame cows present themselves less often for milking and produce less milk. Preventing lameness with comfortable stalls, clean alley floors, and effective foot bathing and treatment protocols is given greater emphasis on robotic dairies. Variable milking times create challenges for foot bathing, sorting and handling, and dealing with special-needs cows. These challenges must be addressed with appropriate cow routing and separation options at the milking stations, if the expected labor savings are to be realized. With less work, all protocols and the layout and gating of the barn should make it possible to complete handling tasks alone. Unattended milking demands reliance on sensors to monitor health and performance; but this, along with computer control of milking intervals and feeding levels, creates new opportunities to manage cows individually. Much of the potential to improve the productivity, health, and longevity of dairy cows, and to decrease feed costs through combining the use of sensor data with individual feeding and milking, is as yet unrealized. Free traffic and guided traffic systems have been adopted, and results are similar when excellent management is applied. In less-ideal circumstances, guided traffic and the use of commitment pens results in long standing times and stress, particularly for lower-ranking cows, while poor management with free traffic results in more labor for fetching nonattending cows. Robotic dairies require a smaller labor force than conventional dairies, but function best with skilled workers than can perform a variety of tasks.