Robotic Milkers: What, Where…and How Much!! ??

摘要

In Europe, robotic milking systems, available commercially since 1992, were in use on more than 1000 farms at the end of 2001. Thus the question, “do they work” is more than adequately answered. In North America, the first commercial robotic milking system was installed in Ontario, Canada in March 1999. Together, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec now have 54 dairy farms with robotic systems consisting of 65 Lely Astronaut stalls on 42 farms, 15 DeLaval stalls on 10 farms, and 3 Boumatic stalls on 2 farms. In addition, 1 farm in Nova Scotia milks with 2, 2 box AMS Liberty systems and there is one Boumatic installation in Western Canada. USA robotic milking farms include 3 herds in Pennsylvania and 3 in Wisconsin. Thus the question “are they suited to US conditions?” is still under debate. Early observations gained from working with Ontario herds may be helpful in identifying issues relevant to the adoption of robotic milking in the United States and Canada.