Course: AS 230 Advance Dairy Production

Title: Critical Analysis of Research Journal

Material: Published Research Journal entitled “Robotic milking: Technology, farm design, and
effects on work flow”.

Author: Jack Rodenburg

Objectives:

At the end of the activity, the student will be able to:

1. To construct a critique analysis and reaction regarding on research article entitled

Robotic milking: Technology, farm design, and effects on workflow;

` 2. To keep abreast of recent innovations and technologies used in dairy cattle;

3. Discuss how these robotic milking machines are useful in the future of the dairy
industry.

I. Introduction

The research paper "Robotic milking: Technology, farm design, and effects on work
flow" by Jack Rodenburg, published in the Dairy Science Journal in 2017, is one of the most
timely and advanced technologies used by numerous farms today all over the world that
reduces labor requirements on dairy farms of all sizes and offers a more flexible lifestyle for
farm families milking and the future of the dairy industry.

Nowadays, robotic milking is very popular all over the world since it may assist dairy
farmers to save time, cutting labor costs, and boosting yield per cow. Every dairy farmer might
benefit from this technology, which is why it has been adopted at such a rapid rate in so many
nations. Appropriate cow routing and separation options at the milking stations are required to
solve some obstacles, and hazards, and make sure that the anticipated labor savings are
realized when acquiring successful robotic milking systems. An individual herd worker should be
able to accomplish all handling responsibilities on their protocols, layout, and gating. When
excellent management is used or when the number of cows is increased, free traffic and guided
traffic systems produce comparable outcomes.

The design of robotic milking devices for dairy cows is the major goal of the
aforementioned research. Robotic dairies should place particular emphasis on designing the
facility to include cozy stalls, spotless lane floors, and efficient foot bathing.
 II. Summary

The use of robotic milking on various dairy farms was covered in this research journal,
along with a practical overview of labor organization, management techniques, and robotic
milking facility design that improve labor productivity and cow comfort and output with the help
of research when pertinent studies have been published.

Due to the significant diversity among farms, this technology has a higher impact on
labor costs, saving 20% of labor while also increasing farm profits. Total labor expenses were
the same for robotic versus manual milking due to paid labor costs. Despite having greater initial
expenses, robotic farms were generally more profitable than those using traditional milking
systems.

Milking and non-milking visits, called robot milk yield per day, cow milk yield per day, and
cow rejections per day, are common parameters for monitoring the performance of robotic
systems. The goal of robotic milking should be both frequent milking and milking intervals. One
indicator of robotic milking success closely monitored by owners is the average milking
frequency per cow. Higher milking cows allow more milk production per cow and robot with the
same occupancy. In a study conducted by Melin et al. in 2005, cows allowed to be milked every
4 hours were milked 3.2 times per day, cows allowed to be milked every 8 hours were milked
2.1 times per day, and volume decreased by 9%. Based on field experience, a herd switching
from two fixed-interval milkings to robotic milking should achieve at least 2.3-2.4 milkings per
day to match previous yields. there is. More robotic milking means that milking intervals will also
become more regular, so 3.1-3.2 milkings per cow per day is better than his fixed 8-hour interval
in the milking parlor. equivalent to milk 3 times. Regarding stocking density, the higher the
stocking density, the less milking per cow.

An important consideration in the design of the automatic milking system "AMS"

equipment. Choosing between guided and free traffic can have a significant impact on work
efficiency and cow comfort. The authors noted here that his four general variations of cattle
traffic strategies are used in AMS herds. The first variation is free cow traffic, where cows are
free to enter the feeding and resting areas of the barn. The second variation is guided cattle
traffic where a one-way gate blocks the way from the resting area to the feeding area. Cows that
leave the rest area must enter the milking box to be milked if the time since the last milking is
appropriate, or will be rejected if the interval between milkings is too short. After passing through
the milking parlor, the cows are released into the feeding area and can return to the resting area
through a one-way gate. A third variant, guided cow traffic, and pre-selection adds entrance
lanes where sorting gates direct milkable cows to the mandatory stalls and ineligible cows to the
feeding area. This reduces waiting times for milking and feeding as only milkable cows pass
through the milking parlor. Pre-selection can also be done via a selection gate on a gate remote
from the robot. This gate is only open to non-milkable cows. The fourth variant, Feeding
Controlled Traffic, is the inverse of variant 3, allowing cows to access the manager from the
resting area via a one-way gate, but from a robotic milking parlor or a preselected milking parlor.
Only allow you to return. Gate, cows do not go to the rest area and go directly to the milking,
loose pen, or bedding pack.
 The authors propose further research to improve the efficiency of robots through
strategic management of barn rates and milking qualifications, selecting cows based on milking
speed and teat placement to optimize robotic milking from a labor-saving perspective. It
suggested improving performance and improving milk production per parlor and per parlor.
Cow. Because lameness is a major barrier to voluntary milking parlors, management programs
should prioritize lameness prevention, and further research is needed in this area, especially
regarding the cost-benefits of different approaches to foot bathing in robotic parlors.

III. Analysis and Critique

Let's start by criticizing the title of the aforementioned research journal, Robotic Milking.
Technology, farm design, and workflow impact”. If I were the author, I would title Robotic
Milking. Its role in the future dairy industry. This title is catchy, timely, and relevant and most of
the dairy industry is very innovative and looking forward to better technology that will make
farming so much more efficient. Attracting to try dairy farming is very important.

The study summaries did not mention the type of study, whether it was experimental or
not, and the study design used. This is so that the reader can fully understand the purpose and
content of the study so that the reader is not confused while reading. Also, the authors should
include research gaps and other further studies in the abstract to improve the design and
protocol of the next robotic milking.

In the introduction, the author emphasizes the importance of robotic milking of dairy
cows for future dairy farming. One of its features and benefits is that robotic milking reduces
labor on dairy farms of all sizes and offers farmers a more flexible lifestyle. However, the
authors also noted that many aspects of this technology, particularly the design of robotic
milking parlors, are lacking in information and there is always room for improvement. But
overall, this innovation helps farmers in terms of labor savings and overall first-user satisfaction.

The materials and methods used in the study were well controlled and presented on
their impact on farmer work, monitoring robot performance, managing grazing rates, and most
importantly designing a robotic milking machine. . The only thing I can suggest is that regardless
of guided or free traffic, it would be much better to take into account the time variability reflected
in each design. It is extremely useful, especially for commercial farms, to increase awareness
and update on the latest advanced techniques used in the dairy industry to perform efficiently.

The main problem with this technology is that lame or weakened cows are less likely to
visit the robotic milking stall. Stall design and management risk factors associated with an
increased incidence of lameness include high stocking densities, deep bedding and sawdust on
mattresses rather than sand, enclosures that are too small and restrictive, and high enclosure
curbs. The authors suggested that the strategic use of an effective footbath routine was
associated with a reduced incidence of lameness.

The authors also noted that few published studies define what design elements should
be included in an ideal robotic milking parlor. As such, much of the discussion below is provided
as anecdotal observations from the field and may help direct future research to some variables
that require critical evaluation. Experience has shown that robotic barn layouts should provide
free traffic, wide aisles, and multiple aisles to provide escape routes when bedding delivery and
barn care equipment pass through the barn. is suggested. This supports the common
observation that space near robotic milking parlors improves cow flow through the robots.
Based on field experience, we recommend a minimum clearance of at least 6m between the
robot and the first enclosure. Also along the feeder, he recommends a 4.2m wide alley and
3.3m wide between two rows of pens. Based on the author's discussion, I discovered that when
designing my next robotic milking machine, there are many changes to consider and improve to
get the perfect robotic design for my cows. As you can see, there is always room for
improvement. It is recommended to also specify the desired or ideal stocking density that the
robot can handle. In that sense, I think the biggest criticism is to adopt a flexible layout design to
suit the nature, needs, and variations of the farm.

The figures presented in Robot Milking are nicely presented, but the stole ends are not
shown so that the reader can fully appreciate the design's entry and exit points. The layout
should also include the amount of time one robot spends milking the cow or the specific amount
of time the cow stays in the area. I would also like to highlight the author's views on factors that
may improve visits. For example, ensuring there are no stray voltages around the robot, placing
ceiling fans over the cows in the milking parlor to cool them down and stop flies during milking.
Rubber floor in the milking parlor and horizontal or near-horizontal access to the milking box.
Robotic milking parlors that limit cow movement with butt plates and manger indexes can
improve spontaneous visits by adjusting cows to have enough space to stand comfortably in the
parlor. None of these recommendations have been tested in a research setting and such
studies are needed to validate these real-world observations.

The author's final statement is really real because the future of the dairy industry
depends on the latest innovations and technologies that meet the demands of a growing
population around the world. It has always played an important role in the dairy industry as it
offers efficiency in all aspects. Improving robot efficiency by strategically managing grazing
rates and milking privileges and selecting cows based on milking speed and teat placement is of
great interest. Further research in these areas and the possibility of milking frequency selection
will undoubtedly lead to new opportunities to improve the performance of robotic milking in
terms of labor-saving, as well as milk production per parlor and cow.

IV. Conclusion

The ultimate goal of this study is to provide a practical overview of work organization,
management strategies, and the design of robotic milking facilities that contribute to labor
efficiency and cow comfort and productivity. The introduction and implementation of this kind of
technology in milk production bring many benefits to farmers, especially commercial farmers, as
it is not only labor efficient but also its flexibility. Therefore, we now live in a modernized world.
Thus, smart agriculture needs to be improved and adopted.
 Republic of the Philippines
Mindanao State University
College of Agriculture
Marawi City

_____________________________________________________________________________________

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE GRADUATE PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

Critique Paper (# 2and 3) on Research Journal in (AS230)

Advances in Dairy Production

DR. JOSEPHINE N. NOCON

Professor

MR. ORLAN AMBA

Student