Fielding a new farm system : tthe KBS pasture-based dairy

The new Michigan State University Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) dairy facility in Hickory Corners, Michigan, US has installed a robotic milking system in the dairy's parlor. Robotic milking systems allow the producer to monitor management and milk production with precision. Each cow wears an electronic identification collar that allows each cow to be monitored individually. The system has sensors that monitor every cow and it measures body weight, total milk yield, and milk quality. Another benefit of the robotic system is that milk can be extracted from a cow without the farmer having to be present for scheduled milking sessions. Cows are also free to come and go throughout the day according to their wish, as the the robotic milker is a voluntary system. The KBS dairy contains two robotic milking units and each unit milks one cow at a time.