282 | No-Feed, Successful Results: A New Era of Robotic Milking
In this two-part episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, recorded live at World Dairy Expo, dairy producers and advisors discuss the transition and outcomes of robotic milking systems that operate without feed incentives.
Matt Strickland from Double Creek and Jay Heeg from Heeg Dairy share their experiences, supported by advisors Kelli Hutchings and Jodi Erickson. They delve into the transition process, changes in cow behavior, and improvements in feed efficiency, milk production, and components. The panel also explores the challenges and successes, along with the support provided by DeLaval. This conversation offers valuable insights for dairy farmers considering similar transitions.
Listen to part 1 here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rvroeVR2BVlu6CRKxkrbB?si=wWbikgZ8TcGVC8wZ47atCA
00:00 Introduction to Robotic Milking Without Feed Incentives
01:09 Transitioning Cows to Pellet-Free Milking
02:52 Challenges and Solutions in the Transition Process
06:16 Training and Managing Cows in a No-Feed System
12:17 Impact on Cow Health and Productivity
19:40 Management Practices for Success
29:59 Support from De Laval and Final Thoughts
38:25 Conclusion and Acknowledgements
This episode is brought to you by DeLaval. DeLaval provides integrated solutions designed to improve dairy producers’ production, animal welfare, and overall quality of life. To learn more, visit Delaval.com/en-us/.
