Agribusiness 4.0: methodology for choosing robotic milking systems

Abstract

The objective of the article was to select a robotic system for milking and identify its benefits within the Agribusiness 4.0 concept. The study took place on a rural property that implemented robotization in dairy milking in 2021. The selection took place with the help of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, considering three basic criteria and three milking systems. The analysis considers the mechanized milking process (70 animals) with the implementation of robotization (increase in the herd to 107 heads). The results show, among the benefits of robotization, the reduction in demand for manual activities, contributing to the reduction of direct labor and cost reduction, considering that the robot controls consumption and productivity per matrix. In general, the results shows benefits in aspects related to the feeding of dairy cows, control of animal health and welfare, productivity and labor. It is noteworthy that investments made in technology, as recommended by Agribusiness 4.0, contribute to operational improvements (labor demand) and productivity, which can benefit rural producers' satisfaction with dairy farming.