Automatic Milking Systems: Learn Before You Invest

Robots and automated tools can be a valuable, labor‑saving investments on dairy farms, but there are important considerations before making the leap. One of the best first steps is visiting other farms and talking directly with producers about their experiences.

In effort of providing more research-backed information on Automatic Milking Systems (AMS), the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension Dairy Program has organized an AMS Field Day to give you that opportunity.

Participants will tour Heeg Brothers Dairy in Colby, WI and JTP Farms in Dorchester, WI on Tuesday, March 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event offers a chance to see robotic milking systems in action and ask questions about management, performance, and return on investment.

Heeg Brothers Dairy milks roughly 450 cows in a tunnel-ventilated robotic barn equipped with eight DeLaval units. The farm uses a unique “no-feed” approach, providing no concentrate feed in the robots. While the field day will focus on the robotic facility, the farm also milks around 1000 cows in a parlor and can share valuable insights into managing both systems side by side.

JTP Farms milks about 475 cows using nine DeLaval robotic units in a cross-ventilated barn designed for cow comfort and efficiency. Feeding is fully automated with two Lely Vector systems.

During lunch, attendees will hear insights from a recent UW-Madison research project that JTP Farms participated in, which evaluated the effect of robot placement on barn ventilation.

Registration is required to assist with meal planning and tour logistics, ensuring an engaging and well‑organized experience for all attendees.