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181. Robotic milking has been developed over a number of years and is now commercially available in the UK. However, uptake has been very limited so far with cost likely to prevent widescale installation in the foreseeable future.
182. The system uses automatic cow identification; cows present themselves for milking and are confined to a milking and feeding stall. Teats are either washed prior to attaching the cluster or after application, with the wash water and foremilk (first milk) rejected. The milking cluster is normally applied from individual cow data held within the computer and proximity sensing equipment is used at each milking for final positioning with each teat cup applied separately. The teat cups are removed individually, dependent on milk flow rate. The use of computer recording allows detection of disease (e.g. mastitis), measurement of milk yield and is able to warn the producer of any variation from an individual cow's expected milk yield and behaviour. When the technology has been refined, it may also allow detection of oestrus.
183. Robotic milking machines were observed in commercial use in Holland, where more than 40 robotic milkers were in operation early in 1997. The system had been introduced partly to allow cows to choose to be milked more frequently. The cows appeared to have adapted very easily to the machine.
184. A potential advantage of robotic systems is that the cow has considerable control over both the timing and frequency of milking. The system may aid earlier identification of potential problems and can provide more time for the stockman to carry out routine procedures such as foot trimming. The inherent danger is equipment failure and suitable fail-safes must be provided. The use of this type of system should not preclude access to pasture, especially during the spring and summer months.
185. Robotic milking units should only be installed if there is ready and speedy access to a suitably qualified maintenance engineer. An independent generator, of a size and capacity for powering the machine and ancillary equipment, or other means of preventing unnecessary pain or unnecessary distress, must be readily available in the event of electricity supply failure.
186. It is imperative that the information provided by the recording system is carefully monitored at least twice daily and appropriate action taken.
187. Robotic milkers should not be installed solely to reduce labour costs but considered as a means to allow better targeting of labour towards essential stockmanship tasks.
188. The Government should ensure that independent monitoring and observation studies are undertaken to establish that there are no adverse welfare affects of fully robotic milking and to consider potential benefits.