Shaping Tomorrow’s Milking Technologies
Dairy farmers, consultants, students, and service providers are invited to attend an innovative conference on robotic and advanced milking technologies. This event will feature expert presentations from the University of Wisconsin, the University of Minnesota, and Iowa State University Extension, focusing on the profitability, labor efficiency, and herd health impacts of these technologies.
Event Details
The conference is offered at two locations to better serve and connect with farmers across Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. Registration starts at 9:30am with the program starting at 10:00 am.
- Iowa: Tuesday, February 10, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Terrace View Sioux Center (230 St Andrews Way, Sioux Center, IA 51250)
- Wisconsin: Wednesday, February 25, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Crawford County Extension (225 N Beaumont Rd, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821)
Why Attend
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of robotic and advanced technologies, 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 Douglas Reinemann, Stephanie Plaster, and Carolina Pinzón from the University of Wisconsin; Jim Salfer from the University of Minnesota; Larry Tranel from Iowa State University Extension; and industry professionals
- Key Topics: Discussions will cover AMS profitability, labor efficiency, herd health impacts, data-driven diagnostics, welfare, and key considerations before transitioning to robotic milking systems.
- Producer Panel: Hear firsthand 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 & Cost
This conference is being offered at no cost thanks to generous sponsorship from Lely North America, Western Iowa Dairy Alliance, Gorter’s Clay & Dairy, MSA Professional Services, GEA, Precision Dairy Equipment, Seehafer Refrigeration, Lely Center Monroe, Eastern Iowa Dairy Equipment, Midwest Livestock, Vita Plus, Standard Dairy Consulting.
Register for free at https://go.iastate.edu/MILKINGROBOT ↗️. Lunch provided for those who register.
Contact for more information
Steph Plaster
Agriculture Business Development Statewide Outreach Specialist
📧 Email: stephanie.plaster@wisc.edu
📞 Phone number: (262) 277-6809
Agenda
- 9:30-10:00 am: Registration
- 10:00-10:30 am: Maximizing profit and labor efficiency with robotic milking systems
- Jim Salfer (University of Minnesota-Extension)
- 10:30-11:00 am:Choosing the Right System: Boxes, Rotary, Dual, etc.
- Douglas Reinemann (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
- 11:00-11:45 pm: Are You Ready for Robots? Key Considerations Before Making the Switch
- Stephanie Plaster and Carolina Pinzón (University of Wisconsin-Extension)
- 11:45-12:30 pm: Lunch provided
- 12:30-1:15 pm: Lightning Round for WI
- Feeding in the Robot: Quality Considerations for Success – Katelyn Goldsmith, UW Madison Extension, Dairy Outreach Specialist
- Gradual Dry-Off in AMS: A Welfare Advantage of Robotic Milking – Elizabeth McGuire, UW-Madison, Dairy Science MSc, Van Os lab
- Economics of AMS – Larry Tranel, ISU Extension
- 1:15-2:15 pm: Comments from our Platinum Sponsors: Delaval, Lely, GEA, MSA Professional Services
- 2:15-3:30 pm: Lessons Learned by Installing Robots
- WI Producer Panel: Pine Grove Dairy – DeLaval, Enyart Dairy – Lely
- 3:30-4:00 pm: Networking and Refreshments