Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s Home Farm has installed the state-of-the-art DeLaval Voluntary Milking System (VMS) V300 – a robotic milking system that allows a cow to be milked when it wants, which can be up to three times a day on average.
The new technology reinforces Hartpury’s commitment to combining commercial innovation in agriculture, whilst providing education and research opportunities for students. It also optimises animal welfare, by providing Hartpury’s farm team with valuable data for managing herd health and milk production.
Currently, 100 cows are part of the robotic milking herd, and a further 100 are milked through a 30/30 rapid exit parlour.
For students, the installation represents an unparalleled opportunity to gain hands-on experience with industry-leading technology. Agricultural students studying courses including T Levels, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and PhDs will have the chance to see the VMS in action, learning how to utilise data-driven insights to improve herd management and milk production practices. They’ll be able to use the information provided by the system to make decisions on managing individual cows, working alongside farm staff.
Hartpury’s investment in the DeLaval VMS robotic milking system is supported by the work of the Hartpury Agri-Tech Centre (of which DeLaval is a member), and the venue hosts industry engagement events throughout the year to shine a light on agri-technologies and enhance the understanding of its benefits. Showcasing developments in farm automation is an important part of Hartpury’s Digital Innovation Farm, as is sharing the experiences with its 2,000 members in the Digital Farming Network.
Professor Matt Bell, Director of Agriculture at Hartpury University said: “The installation of the DeLaval Voluntary Milking System marks an exciting development for Hartpury’s farm and our students. This cutting-edge technology not only enhances the efficiency of our operations but also gives students real-world experience – something that is so valuable within our industry. By equipping them with knowledge of the latest innovations, we are ensuring they are future-ready for careers in a rapidly evolving agricultural industry.”
The DeLaval VMS robotic milking system operates through a series of advanced steps to ensure efficient and hygienic milking:
- Teat Preparation: Compressed air and warm water are injected through angled nozzles to clean the teats thoroughly.
- Teat Attachment: The DeLaval lnSight™ vision system allows for precise and quick attachment of teat cups, even for cows with varied teat placement.
- Milking Process: The robust robotic arm prepares the teats, attaches the teat cups, aligns the milk tube, and sprays the teats after milking. The system adapts the milking process to each cow individually, increasing the milking rate and reducing milking time.
- Milk Measurement and Health Monitoring: The system uses ICAR-approved milk meters with infrared technology to measure milk quantity, conductivity, colorimetry, and flow rate per quarter. The MDi health indicators help identify cows and udders that need attention, ensuring udder health.
- Post-Milking: After milking, the teat cups are retracted and rinsed if they fall off during the process. The system also sprays the teats post-milking to ensure hygiene.
- Data Management: The DeLaval lnControl™ system allows farmers to monitor and control the milking process via a smartphone interface. The DelPro™ Farm Manager software records, monitors, and analyses data to help make informed farming decisions.
