Articles
Milking in Conventional Systems vs. Automated Systems—What is the Difference?
Understanding how milk harvesting functions within an Automated Milking System (AMS) is essential for any dairy producer considering its adoption.
▶️ Watch: Leadership in Dairy: Lessons Learned in the Last Two Decades
Learn strategies for effective communication and developing a work culture where human and animal well-being are valued.
▶️ Watch: Management Strategies in the Maternity Area and Care of Newborn Calves
Learn the best practices for safely assisting with calving, from maternity pen management to vital calf care.
Encouraging Voluntary Visits in Automatic Milking Systems
What makes Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) different from conventional systems is that cows bring themselves to the robot to be milked. While this allows for greater flexibility in managing tasks and cow routines, it also introduces a new management challenge: fetch cows.
Best Practices for Fetching Cows in Automatic Milking Systems
In Automatic Milking Systems (AMS), some cows may not visit the AMS as often as expected and need to be fetched for milking. The goal is to not only get the cow milked, but to do so in an efficient way that encourages her to return voluntarily in the future.
Dairy Ventilation Energy Needs Grow as Seasonal Temperatures Shift
Seasonal temperature shifts directly affect the energy required to ventilate dairy facilities. In this article, we compared seasonal temperature data from 2020-2024 to those from 2000-2004.
▶️ Watch: Adopting and Evaluating Mechanical Ventilation in Dairy Barns: A Calculator Guide
Dr. Akdeniz introduces a new online calculator designed to support ventilation decisions in dairy barns.
Keep Your Cows Moving: Essential Hoof Care for Automated Milking Systems
Managing hoof health in AMS herds means being proactive with both design and daily routines.
Udder Hygiene Tips That Won’t Stress Your Cow
One method to improve udder hygiene is removing udder hair, which can trap manure and debris and harbor bacteria that increase the risk of infection and elevated somatic cell counts.
Adopting and Evaluating Mechanical Ventilation in Dairy Barns: A Calculator Guide
While natural ventilation works well under moderate weather conditions, it often becomes inadequate during periods of heat stress, especially in newer barns with more than four rows of stalls. These conditions have led to a growing interest in mechanical ventilation systems, which can provide more consistent and controllable airflow inside dairy facilities.
Protecting Dairy Cattle: Safe Handling of Needles and Injectable Veterinary Products
Handle animal injections safely to prevent infection, injury, and medicine failure. Clean tools and smart steps make a big difference.
Introduction to the Understanding Automatic Milking Systems Article Series
The use of Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) on dairy farms has steadily grown since their introduction in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Also known as Robotic Milkers, AMS utilizes robotic arms, sensors, and automated controls to milk cows with minimal human intervention.