Milking robots: Are they the future of dairy farming?

Free conference explores the future of Automatic Milking Systems

Dairy farmers, consultants, students, and service providers are invited to attend an innovative conference on Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) technology. This event will feature expert presentations from the University of Wisconsin, the University of -Minnesota, and the University of California-Davis, focusing on the profitability, labor efficiency, and herd health impacts of AMS.

Event details

The conference is offered at two locations to better serve and connect with farmers across Wisconsin and Minnesota.

• Minnesota: Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Shady’s Bar and Grill Railside, 28603 W. Hwy. 55, Paynesville MN 56362.

• Wisconsin: Thursday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Eau Claire Library, 400 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire WI 54701.

Why attend

Attendees will gain valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of AMS technology, learn strategies for maximizing profitability and efficiency, and hear firsthand experiences from dairy farmers who have implemented robotic systems. This conference is an excellent opportunity for networking with industry experts and peers.

Conference highlights

• Expert presentations: Learn from leading experts including Shaheer Burney, Douglas Reinemann, Stephanie Plaster, and -Carolina Pinzón from the University of Wisconsin; Jim Salfer from the University of Minnesota; and Luis Pena-Levano from the University of California – Davis.

• Key topics: Discussions will cover AMS profitability, labor -efficiency, herd health impacts, data-driven diagnostics, and key considerations before transitioning to robotic milking systems.

• Producer panel: Hear first-
hand experiences and lessons learned from dairy farmers who have implemented robotic systems.

• Networking opportunities: Connect with industry experts and peers to share insights and strategies.

Registration and Cost

This conference is being offered at no cost thanks to generous sponsorship from Leedstone Lely Center, Compeer, and DeLaval, and based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number 2022-38640-37486 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number LNC22-467.

Register for free by Feb. 19 at https://z.umn.edu/DairyRobotMeeting2025. Lunch will be provided for those who register.

For more information, please contact Jim Salfer at (612) 360-4506 or salfe001@umn.edu.