Robot milkers – a labour saver for smaller herds
CANADA - While the initial investment is high, today’s robots are saving money and improving herd health for dairy farmers with 120 or so cows. But for a herd of 200-300 cows, the outlay may be just too high.
16 February 2007
2 minute read
It will soon be eight years since robotic milkers made their debut on Ontario dairy farms. While they do not fit every system or management style, the technology may provide the solution for family farms as labour becomes more and more expensive and difficult to obtain. “I’m still amazed at what the robot does,” says Dirk Willemsen who, with wife Betty, milks 55 cows near Milverton.
They installed a robotic milker in 2002 and have nothing but good things to say about the technology. “Around the farm, everything is so relaxed. It feels like he is stress-free,” says Betty. They found that the robotic milker paid for itself a lot faster than they thought it would. Dirk was suffering from health problems that would have forced him from the industry. He was able to continue farming and they were also able to replace an employee. “It was an investment in our health,” he adds.
While the capital cost of the system is high -- $250,000 for the first robot and $180,000 for subsequent machines -- the Willemsens point out that the technology is much more portable than a parlour. If they decide to retire or get rid of the robot for any other reason, they can take it out and resell it. Improved cow health was one of the biggest cost savings that they found. The incidence of twisted stomachs is much lower than it was when they milked in the tie-stall barn and mastitis has virtually disappeared from the herd. Because the cows are milked throughout the day, they also choose to eat at different times.
Source: Better Farming
