Study of using automatic milking systems on large dairy farms

• Published in: Research in Agricultural Engineering (Praha) Vol. 48; no. 1
• Main Author: Vegricht, J. (Vyzkumny Ustav Zemedelske Techniky, Prague (Czech Republic))
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2002
• Subjects: ALOJAMIENTO DE ANIMALES; ANALISIS DE COSTOS; ANALYSE DES COUTS; ANIMAL HOUSING; AUTOMATION; AUTOMATISATION; AUTOMATIZACION; COST ANALYSIS; CZECH REPUBLIC; DAIRY COWS; LOGEMENT DES ANIMAUX; MACHINE A TRAIRE; MAQUINAS DE ORDENO; MILK YIELD; MILKING MACHINES; MILKING PARLOURS; RENDEMENT LAITIER; RENDIMIENTO LECHERO; REPUBLICA CHECA; REPUBLIQUE TCHEQUE; SALAS DE ORDENO; SALLE DE TRAITE; VACAS LECHERAS; VACHE LAITIERE
• ISSN: 1212-9151

Two almost identical free box stables with four rows of boxes for 300 dairy cows each were designed to explain economical aspects of AMS application in large-scale stables in comparison with parlour milking. The first one is equipped with two AMS Leonardo with four milking stalls and one preparatory box. The comparative stable is equiped with the herringbone parlour with 2 x 12 milking stalls; rapid exit, automated identification and automated data collection are used for milking. The costs of stable with milking in milking parlour including milking parlour and milk store room are by 7 % higher than similar costs for stable with milking in AMS. In contrast to this the costs for technical equipment of stable are by 185 % higher in stable with milking in AMS than those in stable with milking parlour. The highest share of the increased costs is due to the AMS price, which is by 361 % higher than the milking parlour price. Total annual costs on farm for 300 dairy cows with milking in AMS are by 9.9 % higher in comparison with a farm with milking parlour. Due to change into 3-time daily milking the reproductive parameters has deteriorated.