WHICH COWS ARE YOU FETCHING TO THE ROBOTS?

I got my first hands-on training with fetch cows during some of the early start-ups I supported. More than once, I handed someone a list of cows to fetch, assuming it was a simple task. An hour later it wasn’t done. It was overwhelming for people who had never done it, so I began walking with people when they fetched, and looking for ways to simplify the task. The first step is creating a list of the right cows to fetch. Fetching too many cows makes robots less available for cows to milk voluntarily, and can lead to a fetching habit. The fetching routine should include fresh heifers, fresh cows, recently moved cows, cows that need motivation, and overdue cows. If your barn is flowing well, you might not have any cows in one or more of those groups. Some cows may fit in more than one category. I don’t disagree with those who distinguish between fetching and training, but both groups can be gathered in the same trip around the barn, so it might make sense to group them on the same list.

Fresh Heifers

I prefer to have fresh heifers brought to the robot 3 times a day until they come on their own. This should be based on milking intervals. The intervals do not have to be uniform. It is

possible to get 3 milkings in 12 to 14 hours. Don’t wait for heifers to be overdue. In the evening, bring them to the robot if they have not milked in 6 hours or less. Otherwise, they will be way overdue in the morning if they don’t come on their own. Make sure your fetching routine aligns with your milking permission.

Fresh Cows

Fresh cows are expected to find their way to the robot quickly because they are already trained. Keep on eye on them if they move to a different pen or need to learn an opposite robot. This is also an excellent opportunity to monitor fresh cow health. Your new fetch cow should have a health evaluation – at least check her rumination. I suggest getting fresh cows up and pointing them towards the robot if the milking interval is over 8 hours.

Recently Moved Cows

Cows and heifers that freshen in the parlor or spend time in the robotic separation area should be monitored when they move to a regular milking group. They usually catch on quickly but it is a good idea to keep an eye on them. Fetch them if they get past about 9 hours or 40 pounds.

Cows to Motivate

Everybody has cows that just lose their motivation to come to the robot. We have a chance to get them back on track if we find them and intervene quickly. Look for cows that average less than 2 milkings in the last 48 hours, or have average yields of more than 50 pounds per milking. They might not need to be fetched all the way to the robot. It might be enough to get them up. Check them for mastitis or lameness. She may be a new a fetch cow because of a health problem.

Overdue Cows

Then there are the cows that never figured it out, or had long lactations or other health problems that shut them down. They are chronic fetch cows and probably will not change their behavior. Use some judgement with them.  Expected yield may be more important than milking interval. They might not need to be milked every 12 hours, and they might come on their own if they are given a little more time. There is no need to fetch them until the expected yield is over 30 pounds, and they can go longer.

It’s a lot to sort out. One customer suggested, “The only way to get the right cows fetched is to put all of them on one list.” Lists can be customized to prioritize different groups of cows at different times of day. The yield and interval thresholds in this article are a good starting point but they need to be adjusted for your cows and your facilities. Cow Corner can help you prioritize the right cows on your farm.