Nov. 28, 2018, will mark our six-year anniversary of milking with robots. The first year was filled with an enormous amount of change and challenges that seemed insurmountable at times. But we can’t imagine milking cows any other way!

Our decision to build a new robotic facility was easy. Ed and I love cows and we want the best for them. We felt that the Lely free-flow system would give them the best, most relaxed possible environment. They are free to make all of their own choices — whether to get milked, eat, rest or socialize with other cows. The choice is in their control.

Another factor was flexibility of schedules. Ed has a cash crop and custom operation business. While I work as a counselor for MorganMyers, a strategic agriculture and food chain communications firm. Installing robots gives us the flexibility to milk cows while pursuing our other passions.

The transition to robots was rocky, especially the first six months. We made it through with the help of an excellent support team that was led by Todd Follendorf, our nutritionist, and Dan Schreiner, our Lely Farm Management Support (FMS) advisor. Our biggest struggle was keeping weight on cows. Cows peaked at 100 days in milk. They couldn’t hold these peaks and were losing weight. During a webinar with our Lely FMS advisor and our nutritionist, we decided to add a second feed hopper in the robot that could dispense a fat pellet.

This was a pivotal decision that completely changed the course of our operation. Today we have a rolling herd average of 26,663M 1,004F and 827P for the Holsteins and 25,422M 1,215F and 832P for the Guernseys. Precision technology has helped us get to this level. We continue to rely on the support of our management team to identify areas where improvements can be made. Tiny details, especially in the nutrition program, make a significant impact on our success in this system.

Advantages we realize in a voluntary milking system include:

• Cows are reaching their genetic potential. Some of our highest producing cows average five milkings per day and require no special treatment. As an example, we have a four-year-old Guernsey that recently completed her second class-leading record. She is a no-nonsense cow that was still milking 100 pounds at dry off. She has only received individual attention twice in her lactation – once at dry-off and again at freshening. She averaged four visits to the robot during her lactation. Herd-wide we average about three visits per day and have maintained milk production of approximately 88 pounds this spring, but that is continually increasing as we freshen in cows that have completed an entire lactation in the robotic system. Many of our Holsteins are hitting 100 pounds of milk when only two to three weeks fresh.
• Robots give you more time to be a manager. Robots free us from milking so we can allocate time where it pays most. We have access to a tremendous amount of data making it easier to track heat cycles, mastitis and health issues.
• Consistent milk routines mean better milk quality. Milk quality is greatly improved with our robotic system. Cows are milked the same every time and are never over milked as each quarter is milked individually. Any mastitis cases are flagged so they get immediate attention.
• Cows are managed individually through a feed table. We balance the partially mixed ration for 10 pounds below our bulk tank average. This keeps cows hungry and eager to visit the robot. The computer’s feed table lets us target different stages of lactation by feeding different amounts of pellets at the robot.
• Reproduction is improved. Activity/rumination monitors have  improved pregnancy rates.
• Cows are lasting longer because they are in a relaxed environment. Cows do not spend time standing in a holding pen waiting to be milked and they are never very far away from food or water. There is also less stress on udders as cows are milked more frequently.
• Robots make you more efficient. We have doubled our herd size while keeping the same size workforce. Robots are also easier on your body. Sore backs, knees, elbows and wrists from milking are a thing of the past.

We still work hard, but robots have increased the quality of life for cows and people. Our cows enjoy the comfort of a new facility and have complete freedom to eat, drink, rest or milk on their own schedule. We spend plenty of time in the barn, but this system gives flexibility and does not tie us to a rigid schedule. It is hard to put a price on the ability to not have to hurry home for milking on a sunny summer afternoon when hay is ready.