DeLaval to Host Free Robotic Milking Webinar Series

DeLaval is hosting a webinar series to discuss various robotic milking topics, including cow flow, low- and no-feed practices, with the North American dairy industry. These sessions, led by DeLaval’s Dairy Advisory Group and are free and open to the public, will educate and inform producers, consultants, academics, and other industry personnel on the different cow traffic systems and feed management strategies in voluntary milking systems. Here’s a look at the schedule:

Thursday, October 17: Robotic Milking Cow Flow: Choosing the System That’s Right for You

Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. CDT

Presenters: Kelli Hutchings, Dairy Advisory consultant; Craig Blough, Robotic Specialist, DeLaval Dairy Services; and Stephanie Dillon, Dairy Advisor, DeLaval

Learn the key differences between different cow flow systems and how essential comfort zones—such as feed, water, bedding and cow brushes—can encourage natural cow movement within the barn. This presentation will explore the features of free traffic, guided traffic and VMS™ Batch Milking systems.

Register Here

Thursday, November 14: Robotic Milking Permissions: Fetch Milk, Not Cows

Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. CDT

Presenters: Nicky Tsai, VMS Herd Management Specialist, DeLaval Dairy Services, and Craig Blough, Robotic Specialist, DeLaval Dairy Services

Learn how milking permissions can improve the efficiency of robotic systems, particularly in free and guided cow flow setups. Discover how robots and automated gates can streamline daily routines and support better decision-making for farmers.

Register Here

Thursday, December 5: Low Feed at the Robot in Automated Milking Operations

Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. CDT

Presenters: Lindsey Schilling, Dairy Advisory Product Specialist, DeLaval, and Kelli Hutchings, Dairy Advisory Consultant

As farms aim to cut operating costs, many robotic facilities are refining their feed management strategies to boost efficiency. DeLaval will share insights from its experience with guided-traffic systems that have reduced the amount of feed dispensed by the robots while still achieving production goals.

Register Here

Thursday, January 30: No Feed at the Robot in Automated Milking Operations

Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. CDT

Presenter: Kelli Hutchings, Dairy Advisory Consultant

Feed is one of the largest expenses on dairy farms, and DeLaval has worked with VMS™ producers who have successfully eliminated feed in their milking robots. Discover more about this evolving feed management strategy for robotic facilities, which has shown success with several customers over the past two years.

Register Here

About low- and no-feed in VMS

Low- and no-feed strategies offer innovative approaches to managing feed in robotic milking systems, helping farms reduce operating costs. The low-feed strategy focuses on minimizing the amount of feed provided through the robot, making it an attractive option for farms with guided traffic barns looking to optimize costs. The no-feed strategy takes it a step further by eliminating feed in the robotic milking process, a new approach that requires careful planning but can further streamline farm operations.

Visit DeLaval’s website to learn more about the webinar series, read the speakers’ bios, and register to attend: https://www.delaval.com/en-us/learn/newsroom/robotic-milking-webinar-series/