Ag Matters: Automated milking systems transform dairies and ease the labor crunch.
Whether they milk with a robot or through a traditional milking parlor, dairy farmers work hard to provide a delicious, nutritious and versatile product.
Last fall, senior staff members at the Missouri Department of Agriculture had the chance to visit two of Missouri’s Grade A dairy farms. Each of these farms is a generational farm, milking cows over several decades, and while they were quite similar, they were still very different.
To me, these producers are a great representation of the scope of Missouri agriculture and the epitome of why we celebrate Dairy Month.
Adapting in the dairy business
Our first stop was to a 100-cow dairy using robotic milkers. This was the first time for most of our team to see a robot milker in action. We were all impressed with the efficiency of the machine and the ease of the process.
The robot knows the exact position of her teats through her milking history. An automated system cleans each teat, then attaches milking suctions to the udder, just like a traditional system. As each portion of the udder is emptied, the individual suction is released from that teat until all four are complete.
Ever wonder how a robotic milker works on a dairy farm? Watch the video below:
Milk from this particular farm is marketed through a national fluid milk cooperative and is trucked to processing for fluid milk bottling or ice cream production.
The second farm we visited was a traditional milking parlor at the time of our visit. The farm is also installing robotic milking machines, preparing to switch to the new system this summer.
What sets this 120-cow dairy apart from the first farm is that this family farm shifted to making cheese several years ago. In an effort to add value to their sustainable, nutritious product, the family built a cheesemaking facility adjacent to the milking parlor.
Delicious cheese is marketed through retail stores and farmers markets across Missouri. Adding the cheese component to this family farm has allowed the next generation to diversify its individual farming interests while remaining on the family farm.
Case for robotics in dairy farming
What strikes me about each of these farming operations is the use of technology that allows for the continuation of production agriculture. Both of these farms are still milking dairy cows, and each farm is using innovation to keep the farm moving forward.
So why are farms turning to robotic milking units?
Robotic milkers allow for flexibility because the farmer is not tied to specific milking times each day, allowing more time for cow care. Additionally, the robot captures an incredible amount of data on each cow instantaneously, including her eating habits, rumination and activity level (to know if she is in heat or to catch and treat illness early). Think of the collar like a bovine smartwatch.
As each cow is milked, the milk goes into a collection jar in the robot to be weighed and measured. With this data, farmers can see daily production of each animal, another indicator of her comfort and health.
Labor challenges are another reason for the move to automated systems on Missouri dairy farms.
It is no secret that a labor shortage is an issue for many, if not most, aspects of agriculture. Dairy farms are no different. These automated systems cut down on the number of employees necessary to operate the farm and free up time for other farm needs.
Protect, celebrate dairy industry
No matter the milking system, all Missouri Grade A dairy farms and dairy processing facilities are inspected by the State Milk Board, which is housed at the Missouri Department of Agriculture. This team ensures orderly and sanitary production, transportation, processing, and grading of milk and milk products.
Missouri is a tremendous state for dairy farming. We have grass and water, two things many other states lack. Our state is also blessed with processing opportunities for fluid milk and other dairy products like cheese, yogurt and ice cream.
As we celebrate Dairy Month in June, raise a glass of milk to the Missouri dairy farmer. We salute them this month and every month.
Chinn is the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and lives on a diversified farming operation in northeast Missouri.
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