Dairy farmers deliberate over automated milk extraction technology
Robotic Milking Systems: A Comprehensive Insight Through the University of Minnesota's Webinar Series
The University of Minnesota, in collaboration with UMN Extension, is hosting a webinar series, the Robotic Milking Edition, aimed at providing dairy producers and industry professionals with in-depth insights into the operation and management of robotic milking systems. This series, introduced by Marcia Endres and Jim Salfer of the University of Minnesota Extension Dairy Team, and sometimes featuring guest speakers from the I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar Series, offers a unique opportunity to hear real-world experiences of dairy producers who have integrated robotic milking into their operations.
Lying at the heart of this series are interviews with dairy farmers like Lisa and Steve Groetsch, who have been using a milking robot for a decade. The Groetsches, who value the system for its efficiency and data-centric approach, share their experiences, including the challenges they've faced, in a candid and unbiased manner.
The series, designed to fit into farm life, is produced by Marcia Endres, known for her research on cow comfort and wellness. Co-hosted by Jim Salfer, a dairy educator at the university, the webinars are held live to allow question-answer sessions, after which they are shared on YouTube. The series has attracted registrants from 42 countries, including a mix of dairy producers, industry professionals, and students.
Endres, in planning the series, took into account feedback from a survey she and Salfer conducted in 2020. This feedback informed the selection of the virtual format, the 11:30 a.m. time slot on the third Thursday of each month, and even the 30-minute duration. The series presents every brand, every size farm, and every style of dairy farming, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
Whether a participant decides to proceed with robotic milking or not, the time spent is valued. As Endres puts it, "Panelists can be honest about what problems they're having. We don't pay producers to present on the webinars. They do it from the goodness of their hearts. Dairy producers are so kind, and they want to share."
Listeners can also find Lisa Groetsch on The Moos Room, episode 105.
This series offers a unique platform for dairy producers to share their experiences, helping others to make informed decisions about the adoption of such systems and fostering a sense of community among dairy farmers worldwide.
The Robotic Milking Edition webinar series, presented by The University of Minnesota and UMN Extension, critically involves technology through the utilization of robotic milking systems. The series also encompasses sharing of real-world experiences, such as those from Lisa and Steve Groetsch, who have been using a milking robot for a decade, highlighting the efficiency and data-centric approach provided by technology.
