How Do Robotic Milking Systems Empower Cows?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around Robotic Voluntary Milking Systems and their implications for dairy farming, particularly how they empower cows by allowing them to choose when to be milked. Participants explore various aspects of this technology, including its operational mechanics, potential benefits, and concerns regarding animal welfare and health monitoring.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Humor and light-hearted commentary

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight that robotic milking systems allow cows to decide their milking times, contrasting with traditional twice-daily milking routines.
  • Concerns are raised about the lack of information on how these systems disinfect udders and detect health issues like mastitis, with some suggesting that manual inspections may still be necessary.
  • One participant mentions that robotic systems may include disinfection steps and milk analysis for temperature, fat content, and other factors during milking.
  • Humorous remarks about bulls wanting similar devices and puns related to cows and milking are prevalent throughout the discussion.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the extent of mechanization in dairy farming and its impact on animal welfare.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the effectiveness or completeness of robotic milking systems, with participants expressing both support for the technology and concerns about its implications for cow health and welfare. The discussion includes humor and light-hearted banter, which may detract from the seriousness of the technical points raised.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various aspects of robotic milking technology, but there are unresolved questions regarding the adequacy of health monitoring and the necessity of human oversight in the milking process.

brewnog
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The Guardian said:
Robotic Voluntary Milking Systems, which are increasingly popular, let cows decide when they need to be milked, rather than submitting them to the grind of twice-daily milking that is the routine on most dairy farms. The technology has been pioneered by Dutch engineers, who say it is the perfect solution to farming's cow conundrum.

http://technology.guardian.co.uk/innovations/story/0,16539,1606900,00.html
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
I wonder how long it will be before the bulls get jealous and demand an equivalent device for themselves. :biggrin:
 
I'm sending that link to my cousin. She and her husband run a dairy farm. I wonder if they already know about it...
 
Danger said:
I wonder how long it will be before the bulls get jealous and demand an equivalent device for themselves. :biggrin:

As they line up to be milked, a laser-guided robot locates the cow's udder and then latches on to its teats.

I predict the newest stunt for farm kids will be to take the id tag from a cow, put it on a bull, and send him into the milking shed. :biggrin:

Btw, has anyone here ever gone cow tipping?
 
It doesn't say anything about how this device disinfects the udder before milking, or how it would detect a cow with mastitis...even with automatic milking machines, there's always a person present to disinfect the udder and do a visual inspection to ensure the cow is fit to be milked. Otherwise, if you have a cow with an infection and she gets milked anyway, you're dumping the entire day's worth of milk unless this machine also stores the milk from each cow separately until tested and mixed.
 
Moonbear said:
It doesn't say anything about how this device disinfects the udder before milking, or how it would detect a cow with mastitis...even with automatic milking machines, there's always a person present to disinfect the udder and do a visual inspection to ensure the cow is fit to be milked. Otherwise, if you have a cow with an infection and she gets milked anyway, you're dumping the entire day's worth of milk unless this machine also stores the milk from each cow separately until tested and mixed.
I would say that the cows would still need a daily manual inspection, but as only someone that has nursed can tell you, I bet those machines are a cow's best friend. :biggrin:
 
Evo said:
I would say that the cows would still need a daily manual inspection, but as only someone that has nursed can tell you, I bet those machines are a cow's best friend. :biggrin:

:redface: :bugeye: :confused: :bugeye: :redface:
 
Guys, you disappoint me. This was supposed to turn into a horrific cow pun session.



Who turned down the central heating? It's bloody fresian in here.
 
brewnog said:
Guys, you disappoint me. This was supposed to turn into a horrific cow pun session.
Who turned down the central heating? It's bloody fresian in here.

What ever next, cows look forwards to the touch of a human hand tweeking
their teats, mechanisation can go to far, they already suffer AI, i say leave
the poor cows alone and let them have some fun before they get eaten.
I think i will get some teat tweeking lessons, never know when it will come in handy.
 
  • #10
wolram said:
I think i will get some teat tweeking lessons,
A crowded subway is a great practice ground. :devil:
 
  • #11
wolram said:
What ever next, cows look forwards to the touch of a human hand tweeking
their teats, mechanisation can go to far, they already suffer AI, i say leave
the poor cows alone and let them have some fun before they get eaten.
I think i will get some teat tweeking lessons, never know when it will come in handy.

You don't eat dairy cows.

Danger said:
A crowded subway is a great practice ground.

Amen my brother.
 
  • #12
brewnog said:
Guys, you disappoint me. This was supposed to turn into a horrific cow pun session
Holy cow! What an udderly a-moo-sing story! :biggrin: Better?
 
  • #13
No. :-p
 
  • #14
franznietzsche said:
You don't eat dairy cows.

You have a lot to learn.
 
  • #15
Moonbear said:
Holy cow! What an udderly a-moo-sing story! :biggrin: Better?

If by better you mean not, then why yes of course. But if you were not speaking in fact of the antithesis of what you were speaking, then well no of course not you silly person-thing you.
 
  • #16
Moonbear said:
It doesn't say anything about how this device disinfects the udder before milking, or how it would detect a cow with mastitis...even with automatic milking machines, there's always a person present to disinfect the udder and do a visual inspection to ensure the cow is fit to be milked. Otherwise, if you have a cow with an infection and she gets milked anyway, you're dumping the entire day's worth of milk unless this machine also stores the milk from each cow separately until tested and mixed.

I've seem those machine on TV. A disinfection/cleaning step has been included in the program. Also, the milk is analyse while the cow is being milked. It will check the temperature, fat content, electrical conductivity and colour (presence of blood or yellow secretion).
 
  • #17
iansmith said:
I've seem those machine on TV. A disinfection/cleaning step has been included in the program. Also, the milk is analyse while the cow is being milked. It will check the temperature, fat content, electrical conductivity and colour (presence of blood or yellow secretion).
Cool. Hmm...that seems to offer even more benefit than just convenience for the cow to analyze the milk like that.
 
  • #18
franznietzsche said:
You don't eat dairy cows.
Amen my brother.

Silly me, of course we bury them, and it is all lies that the only part we don't eat is the moo :smile:
 
  • #19
iansmith said:
Also, the milk is analyse while the cow is being milked. It will check the temperature, fat content, electrical conductivity and colour (presence of blood or yellow secretion).
I guess those bulls are really going to set off some alarm bells. :biggrin:
 
  • #20
Danger said:
I guess those bulls are really going to set off some alarm bells. :biggrin:
:smile: :smile:
 

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