Robotic milking

[Sid]

All of the above. Running costs too high compared to a normal dairy. As in they are making much less money to the point of it being unviable.

Your horse example isn't relevant and I'll give you the benifit of the doubt and say you know that anyway.

It doesn't suit all thats for sure.
Its a different set up to a parlour where you can get away with lower cost labour units.
Again any fool can steer a MF35 but stick then in a Fendt 936 and they wouldn't have a clue.

Sorry i missed the bit where you posted where you are from

 

[Clay52]

It doesn't suit all thats for sure.
Its a different set up to a parlour where you can get away with lower cost labour units.
Again any fool can steer a MF35 but stick then in a Fendt 936 and they wouldn't have a clue.

Sorry i missed the bit where you posted where you are from

It didn't suit as in it wasn't viable profit wise compared to a conventional dairy.

Your comparisons are terrible and not applicable.

 

[Sid]

It didn't suit as in it wasn't viable profit wise compared to a conventional dairy.

Your comparisons are terrible and not applicable.

Where are you from?

 

[Clay52]

Where are you from?

Here.

 

[Sid]

It didn't suit as in it wasn't viable profit wise compared to a conventional dairy.

Your comparisons are terrible and not applicable.

No they are. Robots need a completely different type of management to a parlour. If you don't understand computers you will not get on with robots...or a fendt!

 

[Sid]

Here.

Trolland

 

[Clay52]

No they are. Robots need a completely different type of management to a parlour. If you don't understand computers you will not get on with robots...or a fendt!

Management and ability to use the robots was not a problem. Running and maintenance costs were the problem. Not that difficult a concept to understand.

 

[Sid]

Management and ability to use the robots was not a problem. Running and maintenance costs were the problem. Not that difficult a concept to understand.

Perhaps they were calling on the dealer to change liners etc?
Perhaps they hadn't got them running right as they didnt understand the nitty gritty of getting the best out of them?

Robots aren't for everyone. Especially for those that don't know where they live

 

[happycows]

If i remember clay52 was from Victoria or somewhere in Australia?

The distances from engineers for service and parts to get you up and running again must be a huge negative in Australia. 20 miles seems to far to me at times as the engineer on call could be another 30 miles away.

 

[RastaBoy]

Perhaps they were calling on the dealer to change liners etc?
Perhaps they hadn't got them running right as they didnt understand the nitty gritty of getting the best out of them?

Robots aren't for everyone. Especially for those that don't know where they live

Perhaps you're too clever by half.
Believe it or not Some people other than you can do maths but don't need to tell the rest of us how clever they are !

 

[Sid]

Perhaps you're too clever by half.
Believe it or not Some people other than you can do maths but don't need to tell the rest of us how clever they are !

Why are the costs more than they thought then? Did they not research the running costs?

 

[Claas Andy]

Does anyone know if a A3 should purge the pipe to the M4use with air to clear the milk from the pipe before it washes

 

[upnortheast]

Management and ability to use the robots was not a problem. Running and maintenance costs were the problem. Not that difficult a concept to understand.

For a fair comparison you should be using the running & maintainance costs of a parlour on 3 x day milking.
Usual rule of thumb is + 10% milk on 3x day. Robots running well will give + 15% milk (ours did ) so extra 5% milk in the equation
Then you need to consider if you want to stand in a hole in the ground for circa 4 hours a day or do something useful with your time , like managing your cows.
Tin hat on !

 

[upnortheast]

Does anyone know if a A3 should purge the pipe to the M4use with air to clear the milk from the pipe before it washes

Not sure if it should, but ours does not.
Don`t think much milk involved as the line is only about 1 metre long. If the bucket was full it would blow more over the top than save

 

[Clay52]

For a fair comparison you should be using the running & maintainance costs of a parlour on 3 x day milking.
Usual rule of thumb is + 10% milk on 3x day. Robots running well will give + 15% milk (ours did ) so extra 5% milk in the equation
Then you need to consider if you want to stand in a hole in the ground for circa 4 hours a day or do something useful with your time , like managing your cows.
Tin hat on !

You don't have to stand in a hole. You can pay a lot of hours for someone else to do it compared to the cost of installing and running a robot.

 

[Clay52]

Why are the costs more than they thought then? Did they not research the running costs?

not many robots here so research may not have been perfect
Dealers likely less than honest.
Maintenance costs higher that anticipated.
Running costs higher than anticipated
Power costs have increased significantly over the last few years.

 

[upnortheast]

You don't have to stand in a hole. You can pay a lot of hours for someone else to do it

Many robots will have been installed because of the difficulty in finding people willing to stand in a hole. Robots don`t call in sick, come to work with a hangover, get in a bad mood cos they have fallen out with the wife.Need 4 weeks holiday a year. Need work place pension contributions etc, etc

 

[Foregoneconclusion]

Sorry to lob in a random query.. my compressed air drier has a fault. the purge valve is no longer activating . The relay is engaging but the valve doesn't operate. I've changed coil but need new valve. Anyone know where)

Thank you

 

[Clay52]

Many robots will have been installed because of the difficulty in finding people willing to stand in a hole. Robots don`t call in sick, come to work with a hangover, get in a bad mood cos they have fallen out with the wife.Need 4 weeks holiday a year. Need work place pension contributions etc, etc

You also seem to forget they need someone on call 24/7 to fix any breakdowns.

They require maintenance.

Breakdowns occur and can result in downtime.

They have high running costs.

Parts wear out and are expensive to be replaced.

In any case, farmers who are good people managers don't really have an issue getting people to work for them but most dairy farmers are terrible people managers.

 

[upnortheast]

You also seem to forget they need someone on call 24/7 to fix any breakdowns.

They require maintenance.

Breakdowns occur and can result in downtime.

They have high running costs.

Parts wear out and are expensive to be replaced.

Well aware of the above, Been milking with robots since 2009 and would not contemplate going back to a parlour.
How much robot experience do you have

In any case, farmers who are good people managers don't really have an issue getting people to work for them but most dairy farmers are terrible people managers.

Hmm - So you are not from round here ?