An automatic milker – the Astronaut – that lets the cows choose when they’re milked.
“Some people say they’re kind of like an athlete,» says Jennifer Leech of Ingleside Dairy Farm. «You have special diet for them, try to make sure they’re always comfortable, and make sure they have regular visits with the veterinarian.”
And reduces the people time required.
“We don’t have to worry about milking the cow,» Leech says. «We just have to clean up after them basically and check on them.”
The cows have radio tags that not only open the gate, but keep track of everything from amounts and quality of milk to how they ruminate – there’s a tiny mic in there listening to the chewing.
“It’s open 24 hours a day,»Leech explains, «And it’ll get read, her collar will get read and determine whether she needs to be milked or not.”
The cold hasn’t been much of a problem — there is still some work to be done — aside from the risk of water from the steam cleaners freezing, and the cows seems to like setting their own schedule. Some even seem to like it too much.