I put a copy of my 2016 study on the economics of parlors vs. robots in the consultant files.
I put a copy of my 2016 study on the economics of parlors vs. robots in the consultant files.
The major difference in income/cwt in favor of the robot dairies was +$0.51 in crop sales. Why is that? Feed costs/cw (Concentrates + Forage) are not much different ($6.49 for robots vs $6.54 for parlor) although forages are much lower for robots. Is this just particular to these dairies or true more generally?
I’m just speculating because we didn’t have the data to answer your question. Robot farms have a certain capacity to milk cows, say 55 to 65 cows/robot. Once you’re full, that’s it. No more over-crowding, no more milking faster to make more milk. My speculation is that robot farms have excess resources, including time, to find other niches to create income.
Here is the presentation that Brian Houin made at the 2018 WDE. I have worked with Brian for sometime really enjoy his view on the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHDJFQJipac&feature=youtu.be