Wilson Agriculture Blog

Wilson Agriculture were pleased to be invited to talk at the Robotic Planning seminars last week. There are more planned in the future and details can be found at: www.healthycows.co.uk

Here is a report from the Farmers Guardian:

http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/livestock/livestock-features/good-cow-flows-are-an-essential/38951.article

Good cow flows are an essential

May 20, 2011

CREATING cow flow and access were key considerations when designing housing incorporating robots, as it encouraged the voluntary movement of cows to the robot and allows for good observation.

This meant allowing one square meter per 1,000 litres per year, according to Ivor Davey from Wilson Agriculture, who said this equated to 8-8.5 square meters per cow for an average herd, and 10 square meters for a herd giving 10,000 litres.

Also advising a minimum 4.5m distance to the feed barrier and 3m for other passages, he said sufficient cross-overs were essential as exit routes and 5m should be left between the robots and the closest cubicle.

“Cows should also be able to see the robot and will visit it more if they can, so high walls and very long buildings – of more than 40m – should be avoided,” he said.

Planning robots within existing buildings was a compromise that often had to be made but could offer considerable savings.

First design

Any investment, however, should be made as part of a 10 or 15 year plan, so proposed expansion could be built into the first design.

An example development he cited which allowed 10 square meters per cow had cost £1,250 per cow place, around £200 more than a seven square meter per cow unit.

Open Panel discussion with five milk robot manufacturers: