Robots & Grazing – Fact sheet compiles insights from national research

Automatic milking and grazing are often seen as a difficult combination. However, new research from the Robot & Weiden? Voor Elkaar! (Robot & Grazing? For Each Other!) project shows that robot milking and grazing do not have to be mutually exclusive, provided that conscious choices are made that suit the entrepreneur and the business.

The research results were presented on 21 January during a national webinar entitled Robot & Weiden? Voor Elkaar! [Robots & Grazing? For Each Other!]. A compact fact sheet summarises these results and is available online.

Three types of robot farms
Based on a national survey of dairy farmers and in-depth interviews with livestock farmers and farm visitors, the study distinguishes three groups of robot farms: convinced indoor farmers, convinced outdoor farmers and an intermediate group. Each group has its own considerations, opportunities and bottlenecks.

A striking conclusion: money is important, but rarely decisive. Personal motivation and the image of the sector appear to be at least as decisive in the choice of whether or not to graze with a milking robot. The farm layout and choices surrounding grazing often match the farmer's motivation.

Weather, labour, regulations and monitoring remain bottlenecks
Frequently cited obstacles include extreme weather, labour, fluctuations in grass supply and quality, and uncertainty about robot utilisation. In addition, many robot companies experience the registration and monitoring of grazing hours and the regulations surrounding manure and derogation as inhibiting factors. 

At the same time, livestock farmers also see clear opportunities, such as image, premiums/subsidies for grazing, animal health and/or welfare, and job satisfaction. Many livestock farmers themselves would also like to see grazing.

Factsheet now available
The most important results from the study are clearly summarised in this fact sheet. This fact sheet is intended for dairy farmers, advisors and farm visitors who are involved in the combination of robotic milking and grazing.