April 15, 2024
How batch milking supports sustainable dairy farming
The latest evolution in automated milking introduces batch milking – a dairy farming practice where cows are milked in groups at fixed milking times, usually two or three times per day. The automation technology is helping to overcome recent challenges of dairy farmers to balance cow welfare, flexibility and sustainability on their dairy farms while continuously optimizing their cost structures and becoming more and more efficient.
Dairy farming has been a profession throughout the ages. And the ways to collect milk have steadily evolved from completely manual work to the partly or fully automated milking systems used today. The aim is always to improve the cow wellbeing, ease workflows and enhance the milk quality.
The latest evolution in automated milking introduces batch milking – a dairy farming practice where cows are milked in groups at fixed milking times, usually two or three times per day. The automation technology is helping to overcome recent challenges of dairy farmers to balance cow welfare, flexibility and sustainability on their dairy farms while continuously optimizing their cost structures and becoming more and more efficient.
Dairy farming in flux
The trend toward automation and digitalization on dairy farms has developed rapidly in recent years. In numbers, the amount of milking robots in use has almost tripled to approximately 14,000 units globally in the last 10 years and is expected to grow even more in the next few years, according to Statista. In Germany, more than every second dairy farmer planning to invest in new milking technology opts for an automated milking system.
The whole agricultural sector is undergoing a huge development toward becoming more sustainable and animal friendly while increasing productivity and milk production to feed global demand. For dairy farms, this raises the need to increase flexibility in daily work routines. The physically often-stressful work is not very attractive to employees, and the farming sector competes for staff with other industries, leading to a lack of skilled workers. An increased level of automation and digitalization helps to improve the management practices of growing herd sizes by saving time, resources and energy. It can positively influence cow welfare by reducing the occurrence of mastitis and claw infections, and it supports a higher milk quality by proper milking and teat dipping.
Choosing ease but also modernity and flexibility
A batch milking installation uses GEA milking robots.
All these benefits were relevant when dairy farmer Josep Masramón from El Bruguer farm in Barcelona planned an investment in a new milking system. After having milked with a GEA parlor for more than 25 years, he wanted to switch to an automated milking system (AMS). This was also against the background of attracting the next generation and securing the long-term economic stability and sustainability of the farm.
“On a farm in the agri-livestock sector, modernity and flexibility is crucial,” he says. “Engaging the youth becomes challenging. We need to provide the next generation with the tools to enter the dairy farming sector and provide a long-term perspective to develop the farm in a sustainable way.”
Together with the GEA team and the local dealer in the area, Masramón and his family planned a new setup for the farm over about two years and finally concluded that installing eight milking robots with the same waiting room would be the best option to meet their needs.
“After more than 20 years, I wanted to unite my entire herd of 700 dairy cows that had been divided in two locations and always caused a lot of wasted time and much more tiring work,” Masramón says. “With the new setup of GEA’s batch milking solution, I could step into the field of automated milking and get release from the time-consuming milking routine without having to invest in a new barn. On the other hand, milking my cows at exact times twice a day was a process I did not want to give up for a 24/7 operation with the milking robot boxes.”
Watch the whole story:
Key benefits of batch milking:
Faster milking – enhanced flexibility
Lower milking times reduce personnel needs and support intensified herd management with more individual animal data. Multitasking becomes feasible. For example, tasks like maintaining the cow bedding can be handled during batch milking.Small footprint
The possibility of continuing to use existing barn areas, such as the previously used space of the milking parlor, the waiting area and the selection area can also lead to investment savings and improved profitability.Attractive work environment
To retain or attract employees, many farms strive to offer an attractive workplace. The costly training of new employees is less time-consuming with batch milking. The otherwise often very different milking routines are standardized with batch milking.Fixed milking times
Cows are milked two or three times a day at fixed milking times. Working schedules can be precisely managed, and shift assignments for external workers are much easier. On-call times for staff and dealers are eliminated.
Proven GEA technology
GEA DairyRobot technologies are proven reliable and innovative. For example, the In-Liner-Everything technology helps to prevent mastitis and increase milk quality.
Add Better products foster sustainable dairy farming
The DairyRobot R9500 requires less energy than the predecessor model and through to additional process improvements could also reduce water consumption, detergent use and milking times. This is recognized by TÜV Rheinland and the Deutsche Landwirtschaftsgesellschaft (DLG). As a result, the product carries the GEA Add Better label.
Add Better - Empowering customers with resource-efficient solutions
Dairy Farming Insights podcast
Tune in to GEA Dairy Farming Insights - the infotainment podcast for the dairy farming network!
Whether you are experienced farmer, just starting out or interested in the world of dairy, join us as we explore the ever-evolving field of farming and tell stories of success, challenges and innovation. We will be talking about modern and future oriented milk production, based on our Next Generation Farming pillars: animal welfare, flexibility and sustainability for the better.
Join our cowmunity that takes you on a journey through the vastness of milk production - your source of knowledge and inspiration in every episode!
