The 5 P’s of automated milking systems (Part 2)

This is the second article in a two-part series. This article will cover pace, pellet and PMR and post-startup. The first article discussed pre-startup and the importance of preparing the team involved in integrating the automated milking system. Click here to read the first article. 

Each automated milking system startup can be broken into the five P’s: pre-startup, people, pace, pellets/partially mixed ration (PMR) and post-startup. Focusing on the five P’s can minimize stress and help the farm team and cows easily adapt to an automated milking system.

3. Pace

Ask your dealer for the recommended number of cows per robot during the startup process. The first milkings take 10 to 15 minutes per cow as udders are mapped or learned. If you have 60 cows per robot, it will take roughly 12 hours to get the entire pen milked.

Automated milking system startups can occur in different ways. Some startups may look like:

• Modified or gradual startup where new cows are continually added to the automated milking system through the course of two to four weeks.
• Moving all cows to the robot at once. In this case, milk at least half the herd through the parlor the morning of startup. The remaining cows should be the first to go through the robot.

An abundance of sturdy gates is crucial. Pens will need to be segmented to keep cows flowing through the robots during startup. When segmenting pens, do not limit access to feed and water.

4. Pellet and PMR

Lean on your nutritionist to guide you through ration changes. Introducing pellet changes a few days prior to startup helps cows recognize the taste. Feed that goes through the robot must be palatable, fresh and support a healthy rumen environment.

Calibrate the robot’s concentrate dispenser prior to and shortly after startup to ensure it delivers the correct amount of feed. This is especially crucial when making PMR energy density changes. Cows undergo many changes during startup, and dry matter (DMI) intakes will likely be off.

In free-flow systems, a typical goal is to get a balance of 80% to 85% of total dietary energy coming from the PMR and 15% to 20% coming from the pellet within four to five days post-startup.

University of Guelph research shows cows prefer to eat at dusk and dawn. Use these natural tendencies to set your feeding and push-up times during robot startup.

5. Post-startup

Establish a fetching plan so cows are fetched at a different time each day. If you fetch at the same time every day, cows will recognize and wait for you like they would for barn or parlor milkings. Here are some other helpful tips post-startup:

• Keep the robot area and commitment pen as uncrowded as possible so timid cows are more apt to go through the robot.
• Do not place PMR or water near this area to keep cow traffic at a minimum.
• Work with your nutritionist to fine-tune post-startup feed tables and review dispensing rate and eating time.
• Encourage cows to consume the PMR with fresh feed delivery and push-ups.
• Ensure robotic pushers push feed close enough for the cows to reach. Evaluate how many manual push-ups are needed after fresh PMR is dropped.
• Make gradual changes to fine-tune the system post-startup.

Switching to an automated milking system is a huge transition for both cows and people. Mitigating as many stressors as possible will pay dividends. Careful planning, effective communication and protocols aligned with natural cow behavior will help everyone adapt to the new lifestyle.

This article was originally published in the July 19, 2024, issue of Progressive Dairy. Click here for the original article.