In the last few years, a number of automatic teat dipping and spraying technologies have been introduced to the dairy industry. In the midst of the early adoption phase, Progressive Dairyman reached out to several manufacturers or marketers of this equipment to learn what is attracting the initial purchasers as well as what might be holding some interested parties back.

I feel I’m living the dream when I help producers realize theirs. I have been fortunate to be involved in some of the world’s largest robotic dairies, most notably Fundo El Risquillo in Chile, which boasts 64 milking robots; as well as the installation of 24 robots in a U.S. barn.

A milk cooling system is an essential element of any dairy operation. There is no way around it; if you milk cows, you need a milk cooling system, as it decreases the chance for bacteria growth in milk.

Have you ever asked yourself or been asked the age-old question: Does the milking hose diameter really affect the way cows milk out, or does it improve parlor efficiency?

After fielding numerous complaints from the fieldman about the state of the milk house temperature wheel charts, Marge Pavlat from Casco, Wisconsin, decided it was time to find a solution.

Animal welfare in the milking parlor is one piece of the bigger picture of how improving cow comfort and removing barriers to production can increase milk production efficiency and profitability on your farm.

Early adopters of automatic milking systems have primarily been farms with 240 cows or less. According to Jack Rodenburg of DairyLogix, there are “probably less than 60 dairies worldwide with more than 500 cows and traditional single-box robots.”

Having been involved with robotic milking since early 2002, I have experienced many success stories regarding robotic milking. During that time, I have also seen farms that have struggled and questioned why they made the change to robotic milking.

As we’ve seen with so many industries, technology continues to evolve within the agricultural equipment industry each and every day. And today, whether you’re in the field or at home, you can now quickly and conveniently order parts and accessories for your equipment by tapping into online shopping platforms and mobile apps.

Strapped for cash this year, farmers are looking for new ways to manage their bottom-line expenses. Buying brand-new equipment can be expensive and is not cost-effective if not used every day. Farmers today are facing pressure to rethink their balance sheet and get the most bang for their buck.