Swedish Lessons for Dutch Robotic Farmers: Grazing and Technology go hand in hand

Smart Automation
At the farms visited, it was evident that automation does not have to be an obstacle to grazing. Quite the opposite. Smart use of technologies such as smart gates, rotational grazing plots, guided cow traffic, and effective grassland management makes it possible for cows to graze voluntarily and efficiently—even on rocky soils and during Sweden’s short growing season.

Inspiration and Insights
The Dutch dairy farmers already had experience with robotic milking and grazing themselves, but the visit to Sweden offered new inspiration:

• Legal or social norms can stimulate innovation, especially in grazing systems.
• Grazing youngstock adds significant value—early experience is essential for successful grazing with robots later on.
• Smart infrastructure and careful planning are essential in combination with robotic milking.
• High-quality pasture and frequent allocation of fresh grazing paddocks receive a lot of attention.
• When you feed very little in the barn, cows are truly motivated to graze and feed themselves with fresh grass.

Inspiration and Insights
The Dutch dairy farmers already had experience with robotic milking and grazing themselves, but the visit to Sweden offered new inspiration:

• Legal or social norms can stimulate innovation, especially in grazing systems.
• Grazing youngstock adds significant value—early experience is essential for successful grazing with robots later on.
• Smart infrastructure and careful planning are essential in combination with robotic milking.
• High-quality pasture and frequent allocation of fresh grazing paddocks receive a lot of attention.
• When you feed very little in the barn, cows are truly motivated to graze and feed themselves with fresh grass.

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