BLOG: What do you mean a robot can feed my cows?

You probably think we are living in some futuristic world when we tell you that we will have a robot on our farm to feed our cows. You’re not alone, we are still blown away by the technology out there as well.

Being selected as the winner of Lely North America’s The Way to Dairy Award gave us a prize of a Vector Feeding System or an Astronaut A5 Robotic Milking System. While we will be implementing two robotic milkers on our farm we chose the Vector Feeding System for a number of different reasons.

Some of the things that we pride ourselves on at the creamery is being fresh, local and making products in small batches. We feel strongly that the quality of the product tastes better and is also better for you. We value this piece of our business so much that it’s something we want to make sure we carry over onto our farm and how we care for our animals as well – and that’s what the Vector Feeding System does it provides our animals with access to small batches of fresh and local feed.

An important part of our new robot barn is the feed kitchen; or as we like to call it the pantry.

We, the farmers will be responsible for stocking the pantry with fresh ingredients harvested from our farm; while the Vector grabs and mixes the feed throughout the day serving the cows small batches on a consistent schedule.

Efficient feeding has a such a positive effect on cow health and milk yield. Mixing the right portions in the right quantities and releasing them just at the right moment requires knowledge, understanding and time. Time is always limited on the farm as you tend to get pulled in different directions depending on the time of year (ie: harvest, planting, a calving cow, etc.). As long as the pantry is stock the Vector will continue making small batches of fresh feed to give the cows 24/7.

As we progress further along in the building of the feed kitchen we will share updates and keep you posted on how exactly our feed kitchen layout will look and function in our barn.

Photo provided by Lely North America.
  • Posted by Josie Rozum
  • On October 24, 2019
  • 0 Comments
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Tags: dairy, famers, farm, milking, robotic, robotic milkers, work

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