Robotic Milking Systems Reshape Vermont's Dairy Sector

In Fairfield, Vermont, technological advancements are revolutionizing traditional farming methods. Ben Williams, a farmer who has been milking cows manually since childhood, decided to seek a more efficient strategy upon taking over Moo Acres fr om his father. Williams expressed his fatigue with his previous methods, stating, "It was really labor expensive, the way we were doing it, the way I grew up doing it...I was getting burnt out".

Last August, Williams invested in a robotic milking system, referred to as a 'dairy robot.' These robots have changed the dynamics of the farm, with cows lining up to enter the milking stall wh ere the robots handle the cleaning, attaching of milking cups, and milk collection. The technology also collects valuable data on milk yield and cow health.

Williams collaborates with UVM Extension to showcase his transition to robotic milking. According to Whitney Hull of UVM Extension, "We’re kind of on a second wave of robotic milking systems being installed." Williams operates two robots round the clock, allowing him to focus on other essential farm duties. "For me, the big thing was setting everything up just to be as efficient as possible", Williams noted, emphasizing the relief from manual labor.

Despite the hefty price tag of approximately $450,000, Williams secured grants to facilitate his purchase, noting that while not feasible for every farm, the system can yield a good return on investment. Hull added, "If you have a lot of hired labor and you’re spending a lot of money on that parlor every day and your parlor is 40 years old...A robot can make a lot of sense."

Moreover, the impact extends beyond financials, potentially influencing farm succession as Williams mentions his daughter's growing interest in the digitized operations, saying, "It breathes new life into the barn. I’m hopeful a new generation will want to take it over." Looking to share his experience, Moo Acres will host a workshop on August 19, teaching fellow farmers about transitioning to robotic systems. UVM extension estimates about 55 Vermont farmers have already adopted this innovative solution.