The Influence of Feeding Strategy on the Success of the Milking Robot

There are not always simple explanations for the reasons why there is an upward or downward tendency in cows' visits to milking robots. After all, there are many factors that have an effect on robot visiting frequency; they include barn layout, social hierarchy within the herd, robot output and, obviously, the cows themselves. At the behest of Lely, during the winter of 2007/2008 two students of the Ghent Polytechnic (faculty of bio-sciences and agricultural architecture) conducted a survey into the degree to which an adjustment of feed strategy - especially the allocation of concentrates - affects cows' visiting behaviour in respect of milking robots. This survey was focused on the location where concentrates were allocated to the animals.

Throughout the adjustment of the rations, efforts were made to ensure that the basic ration at the feed alley provided a milk production that was 7 kg below average herd production level. For the purpose of the survey, the quantity of concentrates that was distributed at the feed alley was reduced, while the quantity of concentrates in the milking robot was increased in the same measure. This approach means that - at dairy farm level - no extra costs were made.

From the survey it was evident that the number of milkings rises significantly - from 19 up to no less than 38% - as more concentrates are distributed through the milking robot (rather than at the feed alley). In addition, this is a cost-positive method in comparison with forced cow traffic, which necessitates the purchase of all kinds of selection gates.

About the Lely Group

Lely aims all of its efforts on dairy farmers to further improve their financial as well as social wellbeing, also enabling them to anticipate market developments. For 60 years the name Lely has been a synonym for products, services and solutions that are relevant and meaningful to cattle farmers, simply because they have been developed to meet their specific requirements. Consequently, Lely is the uncontested market leader in sales and servicing of automated milking systems; in addition, the company holds a strong position in forage solutions. The company is active in more than 45 countries and it employs well over 1,200 people. The annual turnover amounts to 270 million euro.

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The Influence of Feeding Strategy on the Success of the Milking Robot