TECHNOLOGY

Over the last decade, milking methods have changed substantially.

Where our grandparents were milking by hand, we now have the ability to choose between a variety of milking methods – from tiestall setting, to parlour milking and, as of more recently, robotic milking.

As herd sizes grow larger, it becomes increasingly more difficult to keep tabs on what is happening with each and every cow.

But even a herd of one would struggle to know what is happening inside that cow.

A new synthetic zeolite feed additive that binds to calcium in dry cow feed and helps prevent milk fever is grabbing attention in Canada.

Add water. Whisk in milk powder. Lift. Carry. Repeat. This process can carry on and on, and just when a calf feeder thinks they are finished, they are reminded they get to do it all again in a matter of hours.

Studies have shown significant benefits of a proper colostrum-feeding protocol. These represent the need to rapidly thaw and feed four litres of high-quality colostrum within 30 minutes after a calf is born.

The unveiling of the world's first commercial on-farm robotic milking rotary parlour was nearly perfect. And the one exception wasn't the fault of the new milking robots on display.