https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us evan.platte@merck.com Sorting gates are gaining traction on dairies and continue to grow in popularity. Sorting gate success and return on investment depends on a well-designed system that matches the specific needs of the operation. Sorting gates are gaining traction on dairies and continue to grow in popularity. Sorting gate success and return on investment depends on a well-designed system that matches the specific needs of the operation.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63265 Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63265-building-sorting-gate-systems-to-optimize-labor-and-roi 63265-platte-1.jpg ppeetz@lely.com The introduction of automated milking systems nearly 30 years ago raised a key question: When should cows be milked? The introduction of automated milking systems nearly 30 years ago raised a key question: When should cows be milked?

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63087 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63087-free-cow-traffic-in-automated-milking-systems jamie.fox@gea.com Sort gates require proper installation, regular maintenance and care to perform optimally and meet expected sort percentages. Even small adjustments – like fine-tuning the antenna read range or resolving data integration issues – can significantly improve performance and cow management. Sort gates require proper installation, regular maintenance and care to perform optimally and meet expected sort percentages. Even small adjustments – like fine-tuning the antenna read range or resolving data integration issues – can significantly improve performance and cow management.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62863 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62863-beyond-the-gate-what-really-drives-sorting-efficiency 62863-finn-fox-sort-gate.jpg antti.puuri@4dbarn.com The transition from a traditional milking to automated milking is not always straightforward. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most important factors to address when planning the shift from a parlor to an automated milking system. The transition from a traditional milking to automated milking is not always straightforward. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most important factors to address when planning the shift from a parlor to an automated milking system.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62000 Sat, 16 Aug 2025 07:57:35 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62000-how-to-transition-from-a-parlor-to-robots 62000-puuri-1.jpg shaun@futurecow.com In our operations, holding area management and the proper use of a crowd gate play a crucial role in promoting a cow’s comfort and ensuring an optimal milk harvest experience during her daily parlor visits. While these tasks may seem straightforward, they require much more than just moving cows and running them through a parlor. In our operations, holding area management and the proper use of a crowd gate play a crucial role in promoting a cow’s comfort and ensuring an optimal milk harvest experience during her daily parlor visits. While these tasks may seem straightforward, they require much more than just moving cows and running them through a parlor.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61757 Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61757-essential-tips-to-optimize-cow-comfort-in-the-holding-area 61757-hardtke-holding-caldwell.jpg dmeihak@lely.com The decision to invest in a new automated milking barn represents a significant step toward modernizing your operation. With it comes the opportunity for enhanced efficiency, improved cow welfare and higher revenues. The success of a project hinges on meticulous planning that considers the intricate interplay among numerous factors. The decision to invest in a new automated milking barn represents a significant step toward modernizing your operation. With it comes the opportunity for enhanced efficiency, improved cow welfare and higher revenues. The success of a project hinges on meticulous planning that considers the intricate interplay among numerous factors.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61709 Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61709-planning-your-automated-milking-barn-essential-considerations 61709-melhak-3384.jpg keith.ortiz@delaval.com The dairy industry has spent the last few decades designing barns for automated milking – resulting in hundreds of different configurations – all of which have been a variation of two robots layouts: perpendicular and tollbooth. The dairy industry has spent the last few decades designing barns for automated milking – resulting in hundreds of different configurations – all of which have been a variation of two robots layouts: perpendicular and tollbooth.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61494 Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61494-the-toll-of-an-automated-milking-barn-design walt.cooley@agproud.com A new back-of-the-barn innovation sorts cows more quietly and reliably in all dairy environments. The Sort my Cow Sort Gate from CowManager runs on electromagnets and springs instead of compressors and pneumatics, making less noise during operation and working consistently, even during extreme weather. A new back-of-the-barn innovation sorts cows more quietly and reliably in all dairy environments. The Sort my Cow Sort Gate from CowManager runs on electromagnets and springs instead of compressors and pneumatics, making less noise during operation and working consistently, even during extreme weather.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61477 Mon, 05 May 2025 06:10:13 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61477-nexus-awards-new-sort-gate-runs-quieter-on-just-electromagnets-and-springs 61477-cooley-nexus-1.jpg matti@agproud.com In a conversation with Matthew and Mike Flaman of Chris-Adie Holsteins, it’s obvious that their cows are top priority. Terms like “cow flow” and “cow comfort” pepper their descriptions of the operation. With an average of 38-40 litres of milk per day, the Holsteins of Chris-Adie are well cared for. In a conversation with Matthew and Mike Flaman of Chris-Adie Holsteins, it’s obvious that their cows are top priority. Terms like “cow flow” and “cow comfort” pepper their descriptions of the operation. With an average of 38-40 litres of milk per day, the Holsteins of Chris-Adie are well cared for.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60871 Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60871-chris-adie-holsteins-staying-cow-oriented-while-looking-to-the-future 60871-mcbride-people.jpg courtney.claypool@delaval.com Rotary milking parlors are continually advancing, opening the door to a diverse range of auxiliary technologies that seamlessly integrate with precision milk harvesting and cow behavior monitoring systems. Designing a successful sort system can be extremely beneficial to dairy operations, especially when cow flow and space expectations are considered from the start. Rotary milking parlors are continually advancing, opening the door to a diverse range of auxiliary technologies that seamlessly integrate with precision milk harvesting and cow behavior monitoring systems. Designing a successful sort system can be extremely beneficial to dairy operations, especially when cow flow and space expectations are considered from the start.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60513 Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60513-sort-gate-success-in-rotary-parlor-operations ca-fr-social-31.jpg matthew.heisner@nedap.com Sort gates provide one more opportunity to move from a group management philosophy to an individual management perspective. Instead of managing by exception, you are now managing the individual cow or individual challenge. Sort gates provide one more opportunity to move from a group management philosophy to an individual management perspective. Instead of managing by exception, you are now managing the individual cow or individual challenge.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59838 Fri, 26 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59838-boost-sort-gate-benefits-on-your-dairy 59838-dehli-1.jpg robert.pol@delaval.com There are several design aspects to consider when planning a new rotary milking facility, including the following concepts. Do the research and plan before breaking ground to save you headaches and, most likely, money if last-minute changes are requested. There are several design aspects to consider when planning a new rotary milking facility, including the following concepts. Do the research and plan before breaking ground to save you headaches and, most likely, money if last-minute changes are requested.  

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/58226 Tue, 12 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/58226-incorporate-these-design-considerations-for-rotary-parlor-facilities We graze and milk cows with robots three times a day. Experts say it can’t be done whether in North America or New Zealand. But it needs to be done. http://www.agproud.com/articles/54777 Wed, 24 Nov 2021 14:00:01 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/54777-free-flow-grazing-with-milking-robots-promotes-animal-wellness jeff.prashaw@delaval.com For three years running, I’ve had the honor of sharing with the readers of Progressive Dairy, both in Canada and the U.S., what I believe are cutting-edge robot dairy facilities. These designs are the culmination of decades of combined experience from dairy producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, builders, equipment manufacturers and architects/engineers like myself. Progressive Dairy, both in Canada and the U.S., what I believe are cutting-edge robot dairy facilities. These designs are the culmination of decades of combined experience from dairy producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, builders, equipment manufacturers and architects/engineers like myself.]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/31540 Mon, 06 Nov 2017 14:00:01 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/31540-centralized-12-robot-guided-cow-flow-facility