Wisconsin Farm Breaks Voluntary Milking System Record
US – A Wisconsin farm has achieved the record weekly yield from a DeLaval voluntary milking system (VMS) of 2,927 kg.With their 247 cow-herd, JTP Farms averaged 47 kilograms of milk per cow per day, which farm co-owner, Jake Peissig, has said is down to the influence they had in the design of their facilities.
“A big factor in this success is the planning and design of our new facility. We put a premium on cow comfort and animal welfare, and it’s clearly proving to be the right decision,” said Mr Peissisg.
“What we’ve been able to achieve is the result of a team effort and would not have been possible without our cows, our families, our facility, and the support we receive from our suppliers.”
Robots have been used for milking at JTP Farms since 2012. The farm was transformed from a stanchion barn to a brand new cross ventilated barn with cow brushes and manure scrapers.
The new configuration allows for better animal husbandry due to significantly less labour being required on the farm.
Mark Futcher, Marketing Manager of Automatic Milking Systems, DeLaval North America said that with the right management there was no telling what could be achieved with VMS.
“What JTP Farms has accomplished is a testament to their good farm management practices and their cows,” said Mr Futcher. “Dairy producers like the Peissigs make it impossible for DeLaval to state the maximum milk production of VMS. I think we've yet to reach the limit, as our VMS customers are proving every day.”
TheCattleSite News Desk