Robot helping preserve family farm for next generation
By Jean Caspers-Simmet
simmet@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 03/25/2011 8:25 AM
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WAUKON, Iowa —Once Mark and Sandra Ehrhardt decided to put in a robotic milker on their Waukon dairy farm, Sandra began compiling a business plan for lenders.
They worked with Tom Anderson, a farm business management instructor with Riverland Community College in Minnesota, on a FinPack analysis because he had experience working with dairy farms that had robots. They looked at several scenarios and the analysis showed that a robot was feasible.
In developing their plans, they learned about several USDA energy grants, and they hired a writer to help them through the application process.
They received two grants from the Rural Energy for America Program worth $22,675 for robotic milking equipment and a woodburning stove that provides in-floor heat to the milking center. Their grant was the first given for a robotic milking system in Iowa.
They also received a $2,000 grant from the Farmers Energy Working Group at the University of Northern Iowa to water use in the previous facility vs. the robot and will share the results. They will also host a farm tour in June.
"We would have put in the robot whether or not we received the grants, but it all helps," Sandra said.
The robot is a big water saver. It uses 87 gallons per day compared to more than 300 gallons with their old parlor. Sandra is also tracking electricity usage, but won't be able to draw any conclusions until she looks at use over the course of a year.
The Ehrhardts purchased their Lely robotic system from Fitzgerald Inc. in Elkader. They held several team meetings with everyone involved in the project to make sure they were all working toward the same goal. Their milk inspector was part of the team since this was the first robotic system in Iowa installed as part of a renovation.
Work started Sept. 20 and Sandra took photos of every step. Fitzgerald and Lely representatives were with the Ehrhardts around the clock for the first few days after they started milking with the robot. The cows adjusted well.
To milk, a cow walks into the robot box. If it isn't time for it to be milked, the robot refuses it. Cows' information is tracked from transponders they wear around their necks. If it's time to milk, the cow starts eating protein pellets and the robotic arm swings into place, washing and brushing the udder. Once cleaned, laser beams locate the teats and the milkers attach. When milking is complete, milkers detach and lasers locate teats for dipping. The milkers are washed as the cow exits the parlor.
While milking is under way, a variety of data is gathered —stage of lactation, yesterday's production, milk weight, cow weight and milk temperature. The computer flags for mastitis and monitors activity for heat detection.
"The amount of information is phenomenal," Sandra said. "I spend a lot of time processing and analyzing data to see what we need to pay attention to."
Mark had never touched a computer before they got the robot, but he has learned to use it.
"Now I can maneuver my way around," he said.
Having a robotic milker doesn't mean that Sandra and Mark can just walk away from the cows.
"You have to be aware of what the cows are doing and manage the data," Sandra said. "If you don't, you're headed for a train wreck. That's not an option here."
The couple said they enjoy being able to spend more time with their children and grandchildren, and they've noticed that their bodies don't ache quite so much as when they were milking in the old parlor.
Milk production has increased 20 pounds per cow per day, and cow health is good.
Interest in the system has been strong. They have farmers visiting weekly to see the robot. Jennifer Bentley, Iowa State University Extension dairy specialist, used their farm as a case study on the decision making process used in adapting new technology.
"The robot assures that we'll stay in the dairy industry and maintain our dairy farm for years to come," Sandra said.