Robotics: Here to Stay
It is estimated 15,000 dairy farms across the world milk with robotics, with most herd sizes ranging from 50 to 250 cows. The most popular location for robotics thus far has been in Western Europe where labor costs are higher than many regions of the world.
© Iakov Filimonov – 123RF.com
Automatic milking is here to stay worldwide, says Jack Rodenburg, a former dairy Extension specialist in Canada and current consultant with DairyLogix.
Robotic milkers first made it to North America in 1999, when a farm not far from Rodenburg’s home in Ontario, Canada added single box unit. “Robotics tend to be more popular on family farms because they can really improve the lifestyle,” Rodenburg says. “Farmers aren’t tied to fixed milking times.”
The work tends to be more flexible in a robotic operation and can become more interesting because of the advancements in technology. There are economic reasons to consider milking with robotics, too.
Read the full article on Agri Africa.
