As robotic milking technology is employed by more farms, it is inevitable that the versatility of robotic milking systems will be tested in new ways. Consistency is one of the time-honored keys to successful robotic milking but there are all sorts of things that make consistency difficult to achieve. We like to keep cow numbers consistent through the year to keep the robots full without overcrowding. We avoid pen moves so social structure is not disrupted. We anticipate ration changes so old crop forage can be blended with new. We change software settings in small steps. Those are the ideals, but we all know it doesn’t always work that way. Equipment failures, supply problems, and weather changes can challenge our best efforts at consistency. We do our best to anticipate and adapt to these situations.
Sometimes, conflicting management goals make it difficult to be consistent. I had some interesting conversations this week with customers who have management goals which are in conflict with consistent cow numbers in the robots. One customer makes best use of his heifer facilities by freshening heifers semi-seasonally in large groups. Another customer accumulates fresh heifers so he can sell large groups of replacements. The robot pen will grow to at or just above capacity until there is a group to sell and then be under capacity when the trailer load is gone. And one more customer uses embryo transfer to maximize genetic progress. Eggs are harvested in batches when the technician is on farm. Fresh embryos are implanted in batches, and recipients freshen in batches. In each of these examples, the manager has identified an opportunity which tests the limits of the robotic milking system but generates a revenue stream or cost saving for the business.
Rotational grazing is another example of a management practice which might favor seasonal calving and inconsistent use of the robots. In some markets, it might be more profitable to produce more milk when milk prices are highest but that would have to be balanced against robot capacity. Other markets have quota programs might affect when and where milk is produced.
Each of these situations presents a unique challenge. One way to respond to the challenge is by looking for groups of cows that we can manipulate to offset the fluctuating cow numbers. Is it possible to extend the voluntary waiting period on one group of cows so that they don’t add to the slug of calvings? Is is possible to keep the fluctuation in one pen so other pens can be more stable and consistent. For example, allow the population of the first lactation pen to fluctuate while keeping the mature cow pens close to capacity all the time. And finally, make sure the return from the opportunities is greater than the cost of compromising the system.
These strategic decisions require a different approach as compared to day-to-day management decisions. It is important to have all the influencers at the table for this strategic decision making. Trust among team members is critical because everyone’s input matters and everyone needs to be heard. These are situations where 2 heads really are better than one – as long as the 2 heads recognize they share a common over-arching goal. Participating in successful strategic decision making is one of the most rewarding parts of my work with Cow Corner.
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