Milky Way Farm
(Continued from Page 37)
and the elder Matthewses want to keep it tnat
way.
“I believe the robotic milker makes dairy farming
more attractive for the next generation,” Sam said.
He is pleased with the performance of the robot,
noting that the cows adjusted to it without too much
hassle.
“All the cows adapted well,” he said. “About 80
percent figured it out within 10 days or less. The
rest of them ‘tailenders’ took a month or
more” (and eventually caught on).
High producing cows visit the robotic milker four
or five times in a 24-hour period. The extra milkings
have helped boost production 10-12 pounds a cow
per day, according to Matthews.
He also noted that the frequent milkings have
had a positive effect on cow behavior.
“The cows are docile, calmer, and more relaxed,”
he said.
Somatic cell counts have held steady since
switching to the robot.
One of Matthews’s biggest worries is what could
happen to the computer workings of the robot in the
event of a lightning strike. While many technical
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4 fe FERTILIZERS & SOIL
f CONDITIONERS
Summertime means busy time at Chester
Springs Creamery.
• Custom Blends
• Lawn and Garden
Blends
• OMRI Listed
Products;
• Super 3-2-3
Contact main office for dealer nearest you:
FERTRELL COMPANY
PO Box 265, Bainbridge, PA 17502
www.fertrell.com
717-367-1566 Phone 717-367-9319 Fax
Dealer Inquiries Invited
• Super N 4-2-4
• Gold SS 2-4-2
• Greensand
• Liquid Seaweed
• Kelp Meal
• Animal Nutrition
• Rock Phosphate
• Soil Testing
Service
• Oxidate
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