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Cows decide their milking schedule
14 Feb 2007
Research led by Dr Kendra Davis has found that cows being milked by an automatic milker are able to make their own decisions about when they want to be milked. The system is being tested at the Future Dairy research centre in Camden, where two automatic robotic milking units are currently milking 120 cows. Dr Davis said the atmosphere in the dairy was very relaxed because the cows do everything at their own pace. "We have one cow that comes in at exactly 6 am and 6pm every day but others seem to have no system at all and they come in at a different time everyday," she said. "Some cows are loners and others always come in small mobs." The cows wear electronic devices that allow the robots to recognise when they need to be milked, as well as being able to detect heat, mastitis, and milk quality. Dr Davis said that the cows are doing well and are on target to reach 7,500 litres of milk this year. A worker is on hand to fix any problems during the day, and if something happens to stop the machine functioning at night someone is notified. "The machines still need people around," Dr Davis said. "I have no doubt that the dairy industry is heading towards automation and it is only a matter of time until systems like this are available."
The Weekly Times, 14/2/2007
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