Automatic milking systems are being adopted worldwide by dairy farms. The increased wage rates and the declining labor force participation rates across the US are driving higher adoptions of automation in all farm sizes. However, in addition to the investment cost and the unknowns of the transitioning process, the required adaptations to the new management and culling rates due to the lack of adaptation of some animals to the new system often make the farmers second guess the decision to adopt AMS.
To talk with us and share the most recent high-quality research information on calf and heifer raising and cow management and behavior traits and their applicability for AMS, we invited Dr. Joao Costa, and Dr. Trevor Devries, for a webinar on Nov. 16, 2022, at noon (ET).
Each speaker will give a 25-minute presentation about raising heifers and cows' management and behavior traits in automated milking systems; after that, we will have an open space for attendees to share their experiences and questions to learn more about this important topic during a 20-minute Q&A section.
The webinar is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about raising and managing cows for AMS. Registration is required and will be accepted until November 15th at 11:59 p.m. ET. Participants will receive the Zoom webinar URL after their registration is confirmed. A recording of the webinar will be made available to registered participants.
COST: FREE
The webinar: Raising and managing cows for automated milking systems (AMS) is a collaborative extension program of Michigan State University Extension and the Cornell Cooperative Extension SWNY Dairy, livestock, and field crops program.
