Project Overview
The challenge of hiring high quality employees on dairy farms has been increasing in recent years. As a result, here is growing interest in automatic milking systems
(AMS) in the Upper Midwest. Because of the higher capital cost, AMS carry
higher financial risk than other milking center options.
For this project we: 1. Developed online and spreadsheet
tools to compare the risk of AMS to parlors and; 2. Developed educational
programs on milking center options and risks.
Thirteen workshops were held in five states (IA, MN, ND, NE, and SD) and 276 participants were educated on
the risks of AMS compared to parlors. Scenarios were used to help participants
understand the risk factors associated with milking center decisions. Twenty-nine
farms attended small group or one-on-one meetings with computers to develop a
plan for their farm. These 29 farms used this tool to help make a correct
milking center decision for their farm business.
We discussed the tool at seven dairy field days reaching
553 participants. We were invited to 8 meetings presenting to 580 people.
Number of Participants: 276
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
There are no promotional materials available for this project.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
There are no educational materials available for this project.
REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.