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Fewer cows per robot might improve production

Transiting to robotic milkers isn’t just an equipment change and one animal health expert says both the farmer and cows need a philosophy change.

Dr. Virpi Kurkela is a veterinary specialist with 4dBarn based in Finland. 

Her company has researched labor times in robotic facilities and is finding fewer cows per robot than the 70 some manufacturers recommend has more benefits.

“In reality, the figure is 55.”

She tells Brownfield animal welfare is a top concern globally and conventional and robotic systems both meet the basic needs of cows.

“Feed, water, fresh air and a nice comfortable place to lie down.”

Kurkela says robots can be retrofitted into existing facilities but when designing new, the entire facility and management should be taken into consideration.

“The barn and the whole system should work well and that is the way to achieve good results.”

She says robotic milking in Finland has been established for more than two decades and she expects more U.S. producers to add the technology as they plan to transition farms to the next generation.

Brownfield interview with Virpi Kurkela during World Dairy Expo

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