According to Dairy Robotic Milking Systems – What are the Economics?, over 35,000 robotic milking systems (RMS) units are operational on dairy farms around the world. The main reasons dairy producers install milking robots are to improve their lifestyle and to expand without hiring additional labor.
Milk production per cow, milk produced per robot per day, labor savings, and length of useful life are the main factors affecting RMS profitability. The primary disadvantage is the capital investment of $150,000 to $200,000 per robot that will milk 50 to70 cows each. Most historical data shows milking robots are less profitable than conventional milking systems. Advances in robotic technology, improved management skills, and higher labor costs may change these results.
New Hampshire Perspective
UNH Cooperative Extension hosted a webinar on March 22, 2018, where experts and state producers shared their knowlege and experience on robotic milking systems. The first presentation by Dr. Larry Tranel from Iowa State University Extension walked through the ecomonics of robotic milkling systems. The second presentation by Pete Frizzell discussed the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) insurance policy that is newly available to New Hampshire producers. The final presentation focused on the New Hampshire perspective and was led by two presenters, Beth Hodge and Nate Tullar.
Presentations
This project was completed in partnership with
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