Implementation of Technical and Technological Progress in Dairy Production

Marek Gaworski

doi:10.3390/pr9122103

Abstract

The involvement of people and technical devices is a characteristic feature of technological processes in agriculture. Human access to modernized and more efficient technical equipment determines the differentiation of the proportions of the contributions of human labor and technical equipment to the implementation of production technology on farms. Taking into account the data on manual and machine work inputs, the methodology of determining the technological index level (TL) was presented. The aim of the present study was to present the scope of use of the technological index level to assess the effects of technological progress in the dairy production system, with particular emphasis on cow milking. For the value range of the technological index level (0–100%), changes in the milkman’s work efficiency were presented based on research carried out on farms equipped with milking equipment at different levels of technical advancement. Moreover, the course of changes in electricity and water consumption per liter of milk was determined in association with the technological index level. The issue of simultaneous implementation of various forms of progress was developed based on the example of milking cows with a milking robot. Five categories (ranges) of cows’ milk yield were distinguished and compared with the current yields of cows in the European Union. On this basis, a discussion was initiated on the factors that facilitate and limit the implementation of technical and technological progress in dairy production.

Highlights

IntroductionProduction processes in agriculture generate a wide spectrum of practical knowledge and scientific interests related to the improvement of food production
The aim of the present study was to present the scope of use of the technological index level to assess the effects of technological progress in the dairy production system, Processes 2021, 9, 2103 with particular emphasis on cow milking
The implementation of technical progress in the cow milking process implies the need for systematic improvement of the milkman’s knowledge, which allows for full use of the functions of the milking equipment/technical systems on the farm

Summary

Introduction

Production processes in agriculture generate a wide spectrum of practical knowledge and scientific interests related to the improvement of food production. Improvement is a feature that distinguishes each area of agricultural activity, and dairy production in particular [2]. This is because milk plays a special role in feeding the population as one of the basic sources of protein, fat, and other nutrients [3,4,5]. Dairy production is an important area for the conversion of plant feed to human edible animal products in the food supply chain [6]. Milk production is an important source of income, which varies depending on biological, technical, and technological factors, as well as the market and the socioeconomic environment [7]

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Conclusion