TECHNOLOGY

Since the invention of the automatic milking machine, dairy producers have been milking in the dark.

Every producer thinking about or already purchasing a robotic milking system has heard all the stories that can go with a transition – the drama, the tall tales, the truly rough experiences. These sagas usually are the only stories that get re-told over and over, making it seem like every robotic milking startup will have an epic story to tell.

A new app is changing the way dairymen track milk quality. The Milk Quality app allows an instant, cowside somatic cell count using an iPhone.

With all the challenges producers face today, finding efficiencies and opportunities to enhance productivity are essential to remain competitive and profitable, and with so many advancements in technology, sometimes the options can seem overwhelming.

The precision dairy farming field of technologies is booming with new innovations. With many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know which technologies are useful and how the investment can be justified.

Robots are milking cows, pushing up feed and scraping manure on dairies around the world. For several years, they have been feeding cows in Europe, and now three companies have plans to introduce similar, yet different, systems in North America.