By Blake Jackson
Dairy farmers considering automation have the opportunity to learn from real-world experiences at the upcoming Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) Field Day organized by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Dairy Program.
Robots and automated tools can save labor and improve efficiency on dairy farms, but careful planning and research are essential before adoption. Visiting operational farms and talking directly with producers is one of the best ways to understand the benefits and challenges of AMS.
The AMS Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with tours of Heeg Brothers Dairy in Colby, WI, and JTP Farms in Dorchester, WI. Attendees will have the chance to observe robotic milking systems in action and ask questions about management, performance, and return on investment.
Heeg Brothers Dairy milks approximately 450 cows in a tunnel-ventilated barn with eight DeLaval robotic units, using a “no-feed” approach that provides no concentrate in the robots. The farm also operates a parlor milking system for around 1,000 cows, offering insight into managing multiple systems simultaneously.
JTP Farms milks roughly 475 cows with nine DeLaval robots in a cross-ventilated barn designed for cow comfort, with feeding fully automated using two Lely Vector systems. During lunch, attendees will hear findings from a UW-Madison research project examining the impact of robot placement on barn ventilation, in which JTP Farms participated.
Registration is required to assist with planning and ensure a smooth experience. For more information, contact Heather Schlesser at heather.schlesser@wisc.edu or (715) 261-1239, or Katelyn Goldsmith at katelyn.goldsmith@wisc.edu or (608) 262-3872.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jesp62
Categories: Wisconsin, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle