Teaching old cows new tricks as dairy adopts robotic milking

For Beaudesert dairy farmer Greg Dennis, technological advances in robotic milking have not only increased production, they are paving the way for his latest business venture Scenic Rim 4Real Milk.

“I had always had an interest in robotic milking, but I hadn't done the research to support making the move to installation,” Mr Dennis said.

“It was only after we flew to Victoria and inspected two Lely robotic farms at Gippsland that we made the call.”

Mr Dennis now owns and operates the first Lely robotic dairy to be built in Queensland and says the gains in efficiency far outweigh the trials he faced during the installation period.

“The first three months are the most difficult, but I just tell farmers looking to make the switch to stick with it. The change is only temporary.”

Mr Dennis says the main issue he faced was training his herd to use the machines.

“You almost have to double your workload and you spend a lot of time working with your cattle,” he said, adding it was usually the two-year-old heifers who are the easiest to train.

“They usually end up teaching the older cows where to go and what to do.

“We were lucky enough to be in a position where we could increase the numbers and install three of the Lely robots and 12 months later we installed a fourth.

“Once we saw the efficiency and effectiveness of the robotic dairy it was obvious that it would be a positive step.”

Mr Dennis says he has mostly self-educated on the workings of the robots with most of what he deals with on a daily basis being learned 'firsthand'.

“It's not something you can talk about or have someone explain to you – you have to go through it in the moment.”

The biggest benefit we've seen is an increase in productivity and efficiency.

“Our milk production has risen by 15 per cent and the two main reasons for this is that the cows are able to milk themselves more often.

“The young heifers quickly become leaders in the herd and it takes time to break up old habits and the young ones don't have any preconceived ideas or habits and they hit the ground running.”

Mr Dennis said the cows choose to be milked two to three times a day and move at their own pace – putting less pressure and stress on them to perform.

“There's also less pressure on their udder if they're milking more often and also the way the robot milks is better for udder health with its variable vacuum and pulsation.

“This works via sensors in the robot arm which deciphers milk flow and individual quarters will be removed if the milk flow falls below 400ml/minute.

“Our cows are probably quieter and calmer than other herds because they move at their own pace and not being pushed around by the farmer or dogs – so we see their foot health is maintained and we're seeing less injuries.”

Greg said his milking herd are just like people and if they're under less stress and pressure to perform, they will live a longer life and produce a better quality product.

“People often ask me if I had the time over would I still install the robots and absolutely, yes, I would in a heartbeat.”

Source: Scenic Rim 4Real Milk