Whether you are looking to invest in milk meters for the first time or upgrading your current system, it is important to consider what you are trying to accomplish with parlor data.

The key to being the best manager is making the most of your time and the robot’s time. Here is how to be an effective herd manager with robots.

The robotic aspect of milking a grazing herd is much the same as in a traditional one, but the primary difference is sending cows out to pasture and ensuring they regularly return to the robot for milking. Optimizing this condition is key.

As dairy farms grow and evolve, so do their milking parlor and technology needs. While many farms start with basic systems, as herds grow and milk production increases, the time may come when upgrades and retrofits are necessary.

Is labor a challenge? Could you be more consistent with your milking process or milk cows more efficiently?

J Schanbacher has milked in his fair share of milking systems, but there is one design that has met all his expectations as a dairy producer.  

Water is essential in the cleaning of milking equipment and is often overlooked as an important component in milk quality.

As names and faces change through retirements and new hirings, the need for knowledge and training are important for every sector of the dairy industry. This includes education of on-farm employees on the key practices and steps to follow to ensure that the milk leaving the farm is of the highest quality.

There are several factors to consider when upgrading a milking system, particularly if that upgrade goes from a traditional parlor to robots – including cost, feasibility, labor and herd adaptation among others.