When I was young, dairy farming was a significant part of Allamakee County, Iowa’s economy. Many of my friends grew up on dairy farms, and during some summers, I helped out by doing tasks like walking beans and haying. Through this, I gained a profound understanding of the commitment required from a family running a dairy farm. Milking the cows was a daily routine without fail, tying the family down to the farm.
In today’s modern world, technology has revolutionized dairy farming. Robots can now take over the milking tasks, allowing the cows to be milked at their convenience rather than being restricted by the farmer’s timetable. This advancement frees farmers from being constantly tethered to the farm.
Imagine a dairy barn where cows are being milked, fed, and cared for, all without a farmer present. It may sound unconventional, but with the rapid progress in agricultural robotics, this scenario is increasingly becoming a reality. On some farms, a fleet of autonomous robots handles essential farm chores, completely transforming the traditional practices of dairy farming.
These robots aren’t just doing the heavy lifting; they’re creating a stress-free, comfortable environment for the cows while keeping things efficient and sustainable.
Stress-free and comfortable is good for the cows, not just from the animal welfare standpoint but from the production standpoint; there’s a good reason that one old dairy company bragged about their product coming from “contented cows.” And it turns out having the cows manage their own schedules works out pretty well, too.
In a dairy barn managed by robots, cows can choose to be milked whenever they like, which is often more frequent than the twice-a-day schedule in traditional farms. This increased frequency is more comfortable for the cows and can lead to roughly a 10% increase in milk production.
Lely, established in 1948 in the Netherlands, introduced its first Astronaut milking robot in the early 1990s. Since then, the company has developed various robotic systems that assist with cleaning, feeding and ensuring cow comfort. Today, Lely is focused entirely on robots for dairy farms, with approximately 135,000 units deployed worldwide.
Now, as a fellow from a long line of farmers, I think there are a few things many farmers would like to see roboticized.
