Specific Approaches to Robotic Milking with Different Cow Movement Systems

Abstract

AbstractLivestock farming is the most important and strategic industry for our country’s food security. In recent years, the techniques and technologies of livestock production have changed significantly. Robotic feeding, milking, harvesting and processing systems are being introduced. High-quality products require impeccable milk quality. Robotics in the process management and control systems are becoming more sophisticated and increasingly affordable. The dairy industry is changing dramatically. An integrated approach to the rational conduct of dairy business allows agricultural enterprises to advance to a more efficient level of production organization (Abeni et al. in J Dairy Sci 88:3542–3552, 2005). Robotic milking is widely accepted, especially in Western Europe, as a way to reduce workforce on dairy farms, increase production per cow and improve the lifestyle of dairy farm families milking 40–250 cows (De Koning in Automatic milking–common practice on dairy farms. pp. 52–67, 2010). The growing popularity of this technology can be seen in its rapid rate of implementation. In 2009, the estimated number of robotic dairy farms worldwide was 8000 (De Koning in Automatic milking–common practice on dairy farms. pp. 52–67, 2010). Only 6 years later (Barkema et al. in J Dairy Sci 98:7426–7445, 2015), it was suggested that this number had more than tripled to 25,000 dairy farms worldwide. The percentage of herds milked with this technology is highest in Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands (Barkema et al. in J Dairy Sci 98:7426–7445, 2015).KeywordsArtificial intelligenceMilking robotFree cow movementDirected cow movementRobotic milkingCow movement system