Cow-Milking Robots
Dairy farmer Pascal Thuot, of Saint-Alexis, Quebec, modernized his farm in 2014 to the tune of $1.5 million. Small enclosures and restraints have been replaced with a huge indoor pen. Two milking robots now serve the 110 cows, who line up in front of the machines when they feel the urge.91 The robot reads an electronic chip on the collar and can determine when the cow was last milked. Before milking, a unit extends under the cow and cleans her udder; tubes carry the milk to a refrigerator.92 These robots provide data on the amount of milk produced, as well as the cow’s temperature, weight, and udder health. They relay this data right to Thuot’s smartphone.93
All these robots provide dairy farmers with more quality of life. Whereas a dairy farmer might normally have worked from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m., now their schedules are more like anyone else’s. "This brings quality of life to my employees. Their schedules are more flexible than before," says Thuot.94
Milk production is up 50%
The information tracked on the cows has improved their health, while reducing veterinary costs.
Milking robots also have allowed farms to milk cows three times per day, instead of twice, increasing the milk yield per animal. For Thuot, that’s an increase of 50 percent.95
Thuot’s farm uses other robotic devices as well: two feed systems to drop food onto the ground for the cows, a machine that pushes silage along the centre aisle for improved food distribution, and a milk bar for feeding calves.
Quebec features more dairy farms (5300) than any other province in Canada, but it is a sector in decline, with almost 25 percent of farms ceasing production over the past decade. Many farmers retire with no one to take their place. Instead of displacing workers, automation can actually save dairy farmers.
Discussion Questions
How can robotic milking systems help deal with an aging farming population?
What are the challenges presented by robotic milking?
Are robotics suited for all types of farming?