Investigation of Herd Management, Production and Socio-Economic Status of Dairy Cattle Farms Using Robotic Milking System and Traditional Milking System: Konya Province (Çumra, Ereğli and Karapınar districts)

Abstract

The aim of this survey study was to evaluate the (i) herd management, (ii) production and (iii) socio-economic status of dairy cattle farms producing with robotic milking system (RMS) and conventional milking system (CMS) in Konya province (Çumra, Ereğli and Karapınar). In the study, survey data conducted with farm owners in dairy farms were used. No statistical comparison was performed in the available data, and mean and frequency values ​​were given. It was determined that the livestock farming experience of RMS and CMS farm owners was 17.3 and 19.5 years, respectively. It was determined that concentrated feed was offered during milking in farms with RSS (4 kg/day), while no feeding was offered during milking in farms with CMS. In addition, the average number of milkings per day in farms with RMS and CMS were 4.25 and 2.75. In addition, it was determined that there was no use of labor in milking in farms with RMS. While 75% of RMS farm owners stated the acclimation period of primaparous cows to milking as 7 d, 100% of CMS farm owners stated this period as 2 d. While the mastitis cases observed in cows were determined by the robot based on the electrical conductivity parameter in farms with RSS, they were determined by the farmers’ own observational assessments in farms with CMS. Before RSS, 50% of farmers stated that they used the rapid exit milking system. In addition, RMS farm owners stated that they have 1 or 2 robot units on their farms and that a single robot unit can milk approximately 66 cows. Farmers emphasized that the average cost of RSS in the first year of installation was approximately 242 500.00 €. As a result, all farmers using RMS emphasized that they were satisfied with the system because it reduced the labor force in some milking protocols. However, due to the high installation cost of the system, its economic efficiency should be carefully investigated.