Barns & Equipment

Bankers and salespeople tend to look at the cash flow of milking robotics, but Larry Tranel, Iowa State University Extension dairy specialist, said profitability and quality of life may be the more important factors to consider.

As farmers, we frequently find ourselves serving as our own service and repair departments. With apologies to highly trained and experienced service personnel reading this, there are times when we are better trained than the employees at a local dealership.

At Hoffman’s Happy Holsteins, robot technology comes together with rotary efficiency in one of the continent’s very first robotic rotary milking parlors.

Following two industry presenters on topics relating to robotic milking, two Midwest dairy producers took the floor to talk about their first-hand experience in using automated milking systems.

Just as in traditional facilities, cows spend their day in a robotic barn eating, milking and resting. But when these daily behaviors are interrupted or restricted, neither the cows nor the robots perform at their peak.

Engine emissions trends over recent years have driven machine innovation – stricter emission regulations, new fuels, common-rail fuel systems and the need for cleaner fuel are all driving the need for improved filtration technology.