Alex and I went to see our old neighbours this afternoon. They have just spent a lot of money by putting in three robot milkers.
Of course Alex was really interested to see them working. They do have a few farms with robots in NZ but it's quite a new concept even over here - although more and more are being fitted round here.
Fascinating to watch all the technology from the automatic teat washing to putting the clusters on. Everything is mind blowingly computerised!
All the cows look very contented and just ambled through the gate when they feel like being milked. The gates won't let the cows in unless it's time for them to go through the robot.
131 cows live here, staying in all the year round. Must say I prefer cows out in the fields but they look very happy.
Three good things:
1. Modern technology.
2. Chinese take away for tea, one of Alex's things to do.
3. The hens are churning eggs out at the moment!
Lovely scene of the cows all nice warm and cosy -- but 12 months a year to me is not natural ! --I am sure they would love the freedom and the green green grass in the summer months !
And I love the thought of no 3 --All those free-range chucky eggs !
Him yes they should be in fields. They could still be robot milked though. My friends brother was involved in developing some kind of mobile system. Was on country file and everything. They just wandered up when they were ready a bit like this system.
@fueast that's the way we would have done it Alison but all depends on the layout of the farm....the fields have to be easily accessed quickly without too much walking....easier inside but not natural! I hope we don't ever see the end of cows outside enjoying the fresh grass, the winters are long so only really fit for them outside for the summer months,
@fueast oh yes sorry Alison I didn't read your comment properly....I remember seeing that mobile system on Countryfile...we were talking about it today.
Lovely picture Pat and I agree about cows being on grass some of the time.
I can't bring myself to feel that being indoors for ever is right. Love the technology. I remember a very long time ago helping a friend to hand milk his Jersey cows still wearing my evening dress but that's another story!!
Great shot. Robot milkers eh? Every dairy farmers dream. There is quite a bit of once a day milking done over here now too - yields are lower but costs are down to a point where it is more profitable than twice a day.
@snaphappi yes now I have seen the NZ way I think less input with less cost is the way to go! Our climate isn't that good for that system though...our cows are in for about half the year....so time consuming!
They are all facing the right way so this means this alleyway gets swished out regularly! They certainly don't appear to suffer and are well looked after. I think its the mass chicken sheds that are the awful ones! A new chicken farm is being built out in the country near where we used to live and it is 12000 chickens - 3 to 1 metre! Its allowable!
Great picture, but what do they do when the technology breaks down. In 1963 our village was snowed in and we had no electricity. Some of the local dairy farms recruited those of us who could still milk by hand to help them out!
More and more Herd Homes are being built around here now, with the cows coming out of the paddocks mid day to spend the arvo getting bulk feed... more robot milkers are springing up, but I do think they are happier cow in paddock... but I guess your moo's know nothing else so they are happy with their lot... these ones certainly look contented... nice shot of those B&W bums.. @ceilidh In NZ when power goes off for any length of time they have a compressor to power things up...
A fascinating look at a high tech dairy farm. I'm with you, Pat...I would think that these ladies would be much happier out in the fresh air. A marvelous photo and wonderful three good things. I know you are loving every moment of Alex's visit!!
And I love the thought of no 3 --All those free-range chucky eggs !
I can't bring myself to feel that being indoors for ever is right. Love the technology. I remember a very long time ago helping a friend to hand milk his Jersey cows still wearing my evening dress but that's another story!!
Interesting story.