Estimating efficiency in automatic milking systems

Abstract

Milking data of 34 single automatic milking system (AMS) units on 29 Galician dairy farms were analyzed to determine the system capacity in each farm under actual working conditions. Number of cows, milk yield, milkings per cow per day, actual milking time, rejected milking time, cleaning time, and machine downtime were used to determine the number of cows milked per AMS unit to obtain the optimal values of milkings per cow and milk production. Multiple linear regression data analysis was used to model the linear relationship between the dependent variable, milk yield per AMS per year, and the predictor variables: number of cows per AMS, milkings per cow per day, milk flow rate, and rejections per AMS per year. An AMS unit milked 52.7±9.0 cows daily at 2.69±0.28 milkings per cow, with a total milking downtime of 1,947±978 h/yr and a milk yield of 549,734±126,432 kg/yr. The predictor variables cow and milk flow rate had a greater level of influence on the milk yield per AMS than milkings per cow and rejections, and explained the 87% of the variation. The AMS in Galician dairy farms could facilitate an increase of 16±8.5 cows per AMS without impairing milking performance; in this way, the quantity of milk obtained per robot annually could be increased (185,460±137,460 kg). This would make it possible to recoup the cost of the system earlier. In the present situation, the daily milking throughput could be maximized at 2.4 to 2.6 milkings per cow.

Changes in milking parameters with robotic milking

“…The present study found more MCD in summer and winter months and in the group of older cows (multiparous). In investigating mean MCD, Carlström et al (2013) and Castro et al (2012) obtained results similar to those of the present study, whereas Gygax et al (2007) obtained a slightly lower result, at 2.5 (range: 0.8 to 3.9 per cow). A higher MCD value in relation to the one obtained in this study was reported by Deming et al (2013; 2.8 ± 0.4 times a day), and Madsen et al (2010) reported on average as many as three milkings per day.…”

“…Already prior studies on AMSs (Sitkowska et al, 2013) demonstrated a statistically significant effect of factors on the milk yield of cows milked by an AMS, which has been confirmed in this study. Castro et al (2012) found that in Spanish herds, the average number of cows per robot was about 52.7, which was significantly less than in the Polish herds studied. Castro et al (2012), Edwards et al (2014) and Løvendahl and Chagunda (2011) found that the mean MY from cows during milking by an AMS was about 10.70 kg, which is similar to the figure found in this present study.…”

“…Castro et al (2012) found that in Spanish herds, the average number of cows per robot was about 52.7, which was significantly less than in the Polish herds studied. Castro et al (2012), Edwards et al (2014) and Løvendahl and Chagunda (2011) found that the mean MY from cows during milking by an AMS was about 10.70 kg, which is similar to the figure found in this present study. A higher mean MY was obtained by Hogeveen et al (2001), at 11.8 kg, and in Korean studies (Lee and Choudhary, 2006), where it was more than 14.10 kg.…”

“…Castro et al (2012) conclude that two variables, i.e. the number of cows per robot and MS have the greatest impact on MY in barns equipped with milking robots.…”

Typologies of Dairy Farms with Automatic Milking System in Northwest Spain and Farmers’ Satisfaction

“…Continuing with the study initiated by our research group concerning the efficiency of AMS in dairy farms in northwestern Spain (Castro et al, 2012), data was collected by conducting an in-person survey that covered all the farm owners within the Autonomous Community of Galicia that had AMS installed in their farms. Galician dairy farms contributed with 37.9% of the total Spanish cow milk production in 2010.…”