Dairy farmers, consultants, students, and service providers are invited to attend an innovative conference on Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) technology. This event will feature expert presentations from the University of Wisconsin, the University of Minnesota, and the University of California – Davis, focusing on the profitability, labor efficiency, and herd health impacts of AMS.
Event Details:
The conference is offered at two locations to better serve and connect with farmers across Wisconsin and Minnesota.
- Minnesota: Wednesday, February 26, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Shady’s Bar and Grill Railside, 28603 W Hwy 55, Paynesville, MN 56362.
- Wisconsin: Thursday, February 27, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Eau Claire Library, 400 Eau Claire St, Eau Claire, WI 54701.
Why Attend:
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of AMS technology, 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 Shaheer Burney, Douglas Reinemann, Stephanie Plaster, and Carolina Pinzón from the University of Wisconsin; Jim Salfer from the University of Minnesota; and Luis Pena-Levano from the University of California – Davis.
- Key Topics: Discussions will cover AMS profitability, labor efficiency, herd health impacts, data-driven diagnostics, 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 Leedstone Lely Center and DeLaval and based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number 2022-38640-37486 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number LNC22-467.
Register for free by February 19 at https://z.umn.edu/DairyRobotMeeting2025.Lunch provided for those who register.
For more information, please contact Jim Salfer at 612.360.4506 or salfe001@umn.edu.
Agenda:
- 10:00-10:30 am: Registration
- 10:30-11:15 am: Are AMS Worth It? Impacts on Farm Profitability, Herd Health, and Owner Well Being According to AMS Adopters.
- Shaheer Burney (University of Wisconsin-River Falls)
- Luis Pena-Levano (University of California – Davis)
- 11:15-11:45 am: Maximizing Profit and Labor Efficiency with Robotic Milking Systems
- Jim Salfer (University of Minnesota-Extension)
- 11:45-12:15 pm: Data-Driven Diagnostics for Robotic Milking
- Douglas Reinemann (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
- 12:15-12:30 pm: Discussion with Morning Speakers
- 12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch provided
- 1:15-2:00 pm: Are You Ready for Robots? Key Considerations Before Making the Switch
- Stephanie Plaster and Carolina Pinzón (University of Wisconsin-Extension)
- 2:00-3:30 pm: Lessons Learned by Installing Robots
- Producer Panel
3:30-4:00 pm: Networking and Refreshments
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