New robot pushes up milk yield

Following the decision to build a new shed in 2023, Howard Edwards chose to take advantage of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) to automate feed pushing with a DeLaval OptiDuo™ robot. The move has helped the farm adjust to the new shed, increased productivity and reduced the man hours needed to manage the herd.

“With more light and space, better access to feed with a two to one cubicle to feed fence ratio, and the OptiDuo™, we are seeing milk production rise and estimate our yield to go up from 9,500 litres to over 10,000 litres this year,” explains Mr Edwards.

He suggests cows are up 3 to 4 litres per day following the housing change. The 250-strong herd is housed all year round and the added space, with better access to forage, has been the catalyst for the uplift in milk yield.

“Moving to a shed with a flat feeding floor, compared to the feed bunkers we had previously, has been a significant change and one we have not taken lightly. The robot was installed as a sort of fail-safe way to make sure forage was being pushed up regularly enough, because we have never worked this way before,” he says.

The OptiDuo™ not only pushes but, using an integral auger, also refreshes feed as it presents it to the cows. The design was an important factor when choosing between different robot designs and the OptiDuo™ was also included in the government’s FETF, enabling Mr Edwards to benefit from a valuable grant.

“The OptiDuo™ was eligible for a 40 per cent grant which made it all the more attractive, although I think the grants offer a higher contribution now. The auger is a technological advancement that set the OptiDuo apart from others we considered,” he adds.

The Rise Farm is set in 410 acres near Shrewsbury in Shropshire. With 220 cows in milk, an ALDI contract and all year-round calving, Mr Edwards has been grateful for having one task taken off his hands.

“It takes some of the responsibility away from the team. We use a Keenan paddle mix feeder once a day and Ernie, the robot, does the rest. This, coupled with a one-man setup in our 26/52 rapid exit parlour, makes managing our housing and milking much more manageable,” he says.

DeLaval’s induction lines sit just below the surface of the concrete and enable the OptiDuo to navigate the shed without any unexpected movements. This, combined with sensors on the robot that detect human or animal movement, make sure both it and others are safe at all times.

“I like the DeLaval system because all of the guidance is integrated into the concrete. We have invested heavily in new housing and we wanted a finished shed that was easy for both us and the cows to live with,” he says.

The robot operates quietly, and the cows are settled as it moves up and down the shed. Its constant work rate means less feed is wasted and the cows have access to refreshed feed 24 hours a day.

“The robot has worked really well since we installed it. It has a charging station on the outside of the shed that it retires to after it has travelled along both sides of the feed passage. It runs every two hours with a gap at 3 pm to allow us to put fresh forage down.”

The way the auger refreshes the forage at these intervals, and its very presence in the shed, has improved forage intake, which has also helped influence gains in milk.

“Ernie ensures the forage is fresh and accessible when cows go to feed. As he moves up and down, we see the cows choosing to get up and feed. This has increased feed intake, by encouraging them to get up and feed more.”

DeLaval claims the OptiDuo™ to be the only automated feed pusher with Adaptive Drive, a function that enables the robot to tackle different feed types and quantities automatically. The robot automatically adjusts its speed and can change track depending on how much forage is available.

The additional space in the new shed, with its two-to-one cubicle to fence ratio, has brought a marked improvement to cow behaviour and health. Less competition, more forage availability, and freshly mixed forage have all contributed to the overall gain in milk.

“Every incremental advancement we have made, from deeper foam bedding to the pitch of the roof to let in more air and light, has helped. The robot has been the cream on the cake, taking away the need to constantly push feed up and providing the cows with freshly mixed forage regularly,” he concludes.  

For more information on the DeLaval OptiDuo™, Click Here