Agricultural Automation--helping the 2% of the population feed the rest of us.

That's correct and an amazing statistic: a very small portion of the population (less than 2%) is working to provide for the remaining 98%. Taking that into consideration, the status and future of the American Farmer is important to us all.  As this country has changed from an agrarian to a more urban structure, how we provide for our citizens and imports to other countries has evolved.  In 1870, almost 50 percent of the U.S. population was employed in agriculture.  Currently, less than 2 percent of the population is directly employed in agriculture.

Life on the farm is not what it used to be. That's the understatement of the day. Automation in farm production has infiltrated all aspects of farm life from produce and grain production to livestock and a multitude of facets in dairy farming. I am a city girl; I don't profess to be in expert in agricultural matters, but I was prompted to write this article after a recent trip to my extended family's dairy farm in upstate New York.  This particular farm has been owned and operated by the same family for over 200 years, since 1809.  Also, since I live in the second largest dairy producing state in the country, I do have an interest in what supports our local economy.

My uncle, aunt and cousins that operate a dairy farm in New York recently made the decision to  transition to an Automated Milking System (or AMS as referred to in the industry). Yes, as amazing as it is to a layman like myself...there are robots designed to milk cows. The systems are also sometimes referred to VMS, or Voluntary Milking Systems because the cows choose when the want to be milked. They walk into the milking stall at their on accord when they are ready to be milked. Cows just know when they are ready. They don't need to be herded in. When using this kind of system, the milking takes place 24/7.


Now as amazing as this new automation may be, when a new technology is introduced there are usually skeptics and critics of the system.  I myself,  had a romanticized version of cows grazing on green pastures and being herded into the barn only twice a day and then let out free to roam as they please. These human perceptions of what cows "should" like are just that....human perceptions. The cows that are tended to on my Uncle's farm are VERY well taken care of and from a human perspective they seem very happy and very healthy.

The "Happiness Quotient" is NOT just a perception, but can actually be gauged, to some extent, on each cow. A transponder is placed on the cow's leg (kind of a "Fit Bit" for cows) to provide essential information detailing not only the milk production of the cow but also specific medical needs and concerns to assure a healthy and happy cow. When a cow enters the stall to be milked, her "Fit Bit" links with the computer and gives an amazing amount of information on the cow. This photo of the computer screen in each milking station shows the information collected and maintained on each cow and also on the herd as a whole.  Including in this information are items like: pounds of milk production, lactation cycles, genetic histories and vaccinations.

According to the National Dairy Farm Magazine: Hoard's Dairyman,:
"The primary disadvantage of robots is the large capital investment of $150,000 to $200,00 for every 50 to 70 milking cows. Older studies show robots are less profitable than conventional milking systems. Advances in robot technology, improved RMS management, and higher labor costs change these results."  ("Can Robots Compete?", Hoard's Dairyman, May 25, 2018)

In Wisconsin and Minnesota alone, recent statistics state there are over 200 farms utilizing a robotic system for milking. There are numerous reasons to convert to a robotic system but the primary reasons are: reduction of labor, increased milk production and improved lifestyles; both for the dairy farmers and the cows. So perhaps the trend in dairy production is moving in that direction. When I was able to see the process first hand, toured the barn and received a detailed explanation of how things work I was "blown away" by it all. I do not know how to tell if a cow is "happy" or not....but these ladies looked very content. As my cousin said, if anyone is curious, skeptical or critical of the process all they need to do is "put your boots on and come out to the barn".

I wanted to write this article to support and lift up the importance of the American farmer today. My exposure to farming has been predominately dairy farming. Dairy farming is a very hard life and it takes a truly deep commitment. Yet it is not without it's own rewards. Being in tune with nature and working with the Earth is such a blessing.  I remember my Uncle frequently declaring as he looked up at the star laden night sky up on the hill: "Would you just look at that sky."

So next time you enjoy your tall glass of milk with a grilled cheese sandwich, take a moment to remember the hard work that went into getting it to your table. Hug a farmer today.  JES