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Free access vs guided robotic milking: Which system is right for your dairy farm?

For UK dairy farmers considering a move from a parlour to robots, one of the first decisions is whether to run a free access or guided system but what are the pros and cons of each?

clock • 6 min read
Farmers moving from a parlour to a milking robot should consider long-term feeding strategy, forage potential and labour availability.
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Farmers moving from a parlour to a milking robot should consider long-term feeding strategy, forage potential and labour availability.

About 80% of UK robotic systems are designed for free access says independent adviser Gareth Jones, of Robotic Milking Systems. He explains that free access systems allow cows to move freely between...

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