Mr Roboto....The theme song for the Dairy Industry!!

I had the great opportunity to attend World Dairy Expo last week in Madison, WI for the first time.  It is pretty amazing to see the technology that the dairy industry is implementing these days.  It appears that everything is going robotic or automated.  From robotic milkers to automatic calf feeders to robotic feed pushers.  It is pretty amazing to see all these technologies in use and working.  I had the opportunity to visit a couple working robots and all I can say is AMAZING.

These robots pretty much do it all.  They clean and dip the teats then with a laser they are able to find the teats and attach the milkers.  After milking they dip again and send the cow on their way.  It is pretty neat to watch. You can just sense the calmness in the cattle compared to having to be pushed to the parlor multiple times a day.  These cows have the luxury of going to the parlor as they please.  Now not all cows are as cooperative as others.  There is still the potential to have to go and get cows to the milker

It appears that these little robots are saving dairies as well.  One of the diaries that I visited told me that they were to the point of either getting out of the business or going robotic.  They were at this point of decision making due to lack of help and needing a new facility.  They decided to go with the robotic milkers and he said he couldn't be happier with his decision.  Here are some pics of these cool little contraptions:

Photo courtesy of:http://www.winslowltd.co.nz/index.cfm/1,165,411,0,html/Lely-Astronaut-A3-Robotic-Milking-System 

 

Photo courtesy of : http://www.robotliving.com/robot-news/milking-robot-saves-famers-knees/

 

 

Photo courtesy of: http://www.lely.com/en/feeding/feed-pusher/juno_2

 

If you get a chance to check out any of these robotic milkers I really suggest you do so!  You will pretty amazed at how they work.  I hope that you all have a great week!