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Robotic milking systems provide an incredible amount of data by measuring more than 100 variables per cow per day. For some, all of this new information can be overwhelming to the point they’d rather not even look at it.
For others, they are so eager to explore the data they spend an excessive amount of time overanalyzing information and lose sight of the data that is most important.
From conventional to robotic milking, we see really no significant differences in the freestall dimensions recommended for comfortable dairy cows. Over the past years, there have been changes in recommended stall length and width.
Over the years, any time I face a client that is 3X-milking conventionally and is looking to transition to robots, I can feel my stress levels rise.
From a pure milk-production perspective, this is one of the most challenging transitions because of the many rapid and simultaneous changes the cows will see as they move to the new system.
Transitioning to an automatic milking system can often be challenging in terms of feeding from the start, and feeding may require more time and effort than a conventional system at certain stages.
The automatic milking system is basically a computer feeder that milks cows. If you do not understand, adapt to or believe in this system, your success rate will be limited and you will certainly be frustrated.
Preparing cows’ feet for the transition to a robotic system should be a fairly easy task for most dairy farms to accomplish well in advance.
Usually the system and tools needed are already in place to prepare hooves before the robots start, so there are just a few straightforward things to do to ensure hooves are protected during and after transition.
Every producer thinking about or already purchasing a robotic milking system has heard all the stories that can go with a transition – the drama, the tall tales, the truly rough experiences.
These sagas usually are the only stories that get re-told over and over, making it seem like every robotic milking startup will have an epic story to tell.
