A recent Dairy Star article, Keeping variety in their routine, features producers Curtis and Cheryle Boettcher. The Boettchers currently milk 230 cows, near Wykoff, Minn., with the help of their two sons, Brian and Chad, the occasional help of their daughter, Nichole Arndorfer, and four Lely Astronaut’s.
The Boettchers installed four robots on their 230-cow farm near Wykoff, Minn. Pictured (back row, from left) Curtis, Cheryle, Brian and Chad; (front) Curtis and Cheryle’s grandchildren, William and Kayla Arndorfer.
(Photo courtesy of Dairy Star and Krista Kuzma)
Included below is an excerpt from the article:
They knew robots would allow them to stay the same size and reduce the amount of employees needed. After visiting one farm and doing some research online, they decided on an automated milking system.
"It was a fairly quick process," Brian said about deciding on robots.
"Everybody was impressed with the robots," Chad said.
Construction to add the robots onto their freestall barn began in October 2012. By April 2013, the first cows were going through the four robots.
Since beginning to use the system in April, it has freed up more time for the Boettchers to do other things on the farm.
The article discusses the family's transition into robotic milking as well as what the change has meant for the success of their farm and goes on to say:
Robots also provide more information about the cows, including when cows are in heat, rumination and production, along with other data.To read more about the Boettcher's dairy operation and their experience with robotic milking, read the full article here.
Learn more about robotic milking or check out these videos to hear from other producers currently Living Life Lely.