College - Author 1
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Department - Author 1
Dairy Science Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Dairy Science
Date
3-2014
Primary Advisor
Charlie Crabb
Abstract/Summary
There are many different designs and brands of dairy parlor equipment made available to producers, and new technologies are continuing to be developed in order to reduce the amount of labor and work time needed on dairy operations. The introduction of new technologies to the dairy industry, such as automatic milking systems which have utilized the application of robot arms to accomplish a milking, have changed the way the dairy industry looks at production and how milk should be produced.
The motivation of this report is to look into the history and development of milking machines that have lead to the evolution of advanced milking technologies such as automatic milking systems, different companies that design milking parlors and the history and development of automatic milking systems. This includes discussions of considerations dairy producers should take when looking to convert from a conventional milking parlor to an automatic milking system, including environmental impact, waste management, and the rate of return on their investment into the new milking system. This report will also evaluate which designs are the best fits for large-scale dairy operations, along with which companies have the most adequate amount of technical support. These companies include DeLaval, BECO Dairy Automation, and BouMatic LLC.
It was found that DeLaval and Boumatic have the most to offer in terms of parlor designs, automatic milking systems, availability, and technical support, but that given the time and research BECO Dairy Automation could become a company that is as successful as its competitors.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/dscisp/116