2 minute read
TECHNOLOGY
DeLaval batch milking system.
In response to what it says is a growing demand for automation from larger herds across the world, DeLaval has unveiled its batch milking concept, which is a milking system where groups of cows are walked to a centre point with multiple milking robots working in parallel. e system does not require direct supervision while milking is taking place and multiple stations are able to be controlled remotely.
Speaking in a press brie ng introduction, Edouard Alix, of
DeLaval, said: “Automation is increasing [on dairy farms] across the EU and wider world. In the last two years, since the Covid-19 crisis, we have seen an increase in demand for automation, especially for larger operations which want to be less labour-dependent.
Outputs
“Dairy farmers are increasingly facing the challenge of needing to produce more output with less input, coupled with rising feed and energy costs and new and emerging regulation around the environment.”
Mr Alix said the concept combined the consistency and routine of conventional milking with the technological and time advantages of robotics.
He said: “ e routine is similar to a parlour, but the work e ciency is much higher because the farmer can rely on the automatic arm.
“A dairy farm from southern Italy is using eight VMS boxes in batch milking mode and only one employee is needed during the milking session to milk 450 cows.”
Labelling it an improvement on its 2010-launched automatic milking rotary system, which were said to have challenges around scaling up, he explained the new system was designed to appeal to larger scale producers and offered more options for expansion and greater throughput potential.
Robert Jensen, large herd specialist at DeLaval, said: “When we launched the DeLaval VMS 25 years ago, the main target group was the family farm segment. For a few years now we have seen larger herd customers wanting to step into the robotic journey, but so far few have made the change because of the major changes in herd management strategy and routine required – the change in feeding strategy, reproduction management and additional cost and space required to update an existing barn can be signi cant.”
Milking mode
Dairy farmer Renato Aceto is using eight milking robots in batch milking mode. He said: “We manage more than 1,000 cows located on several farm sites and our main challenge is related to labour availability.
“We were not ready to change our herd management strategy and a er some discussions with our dealer and DeLaval representative, we agreed to go for a VMS batch milking concept. Here, we combine the advantages from the milking robot and our traditional set-up.
“ ere has been almost no change for the feeding and reproduction strategy and only a minor impact on the labour routine. A er six months, we were satis ed and we have decided to update the second farm site with the concept as well. In spring 2022, we will milk more than 1,000 cows via this system.”
Designer and manufacturer of milking equipment, DeLaval, has launched a new concept around automatic milking. Hannah Park reports.
