Naslov
Farmer experience in transfer from conventional to robotic milking in Croatia

Autori
Mijić, P. ; Gantner, V. ; Gregić, M. ; Baban, M. ; Bobić, T.

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Book of Abstracts of the 1st Regional Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science / Barać, Z. ; Hadjipavlou, G. - Nitra : The European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP), 2023, 94-94

Skup
1st Regional Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science

Mjesto i datum
Nitra, Slovačka, 26.04.2023. - 28.04.2023

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
robotic milking ; farmers ; experience ; adaptation ; Croatia

Sažetak
Automation of milking is an increasingly common situation on dairy farms in Croatia. The milking robots have been among the most important technological solutions and innovations in recent years. Currently, 40 milking robots were installed in Croatia, distributed on 27 farms. More than 47% of the farmers stated that the most common reason for switching from conventional to robotic milking was to reduce the share of human labour and 26% of them wanted to improve one’s own quality of life. Along the way, there were various challenges and ambiguities, most often of a financial or bureaucratic nature. However, the first production results encouraged all farmers. After switching from conventional to robotic milking the milk production at the lactation level per cow increased significantly (p<0.0001) by about 500 kg. The somatic cell count were also increased, but not significantly. Furthermore, significant (p<0.0001) reduction in the number of older cows was observed, which indicates an increased selection and selection of cows that are better adapted to the robotic milking. About 68% of farmers managed to adapt most of their cows on the farm within three months, as well as their new commitments to robotic milking. The first year (the year of transition to robotic milking) poses the biggest challenges for farmers in production: adaptation of the facility and installation of robots, habituation of cows to robotic milking, increased herd culling, mastering technical features of robotic milking systems and information, etc. In conclusion, it can be said that the transfer from conventional to robotic milking of cows with Croatian farmers was successful and have a future development potential.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Poljoprivreda (agronomija)

POVEZANOST RADA