Combinando tradición e innovación: DeLaval VMS™ Ordeño por Lotes
Ordeña más inteligentemente, no más intensamente: El ordeño por lotes o Batch Milking DeLaval VMS™ proporciona una solución eficiente para ordeñar rebaños más grandes, ¡tanto si ordeñas 2, 3 o incluso 4 veces al día!
El auge mundial del ordeño por lotes con VMS™
As dairy farmers look for more efficient ways to manage larger herds, VMS™ Batch Milking – which uses automated milking robots to milk cows in groups at scheduled times – is rapidly gaining popularity.
Designed with medium to large dairy operations in mind, this system simplifies daily routines by combining automation with the structure of traditional milking. It offers a straightforward, predictable approach that resonates with many farmers, integrating easily with existing practices while improving the work environment, making it an excellent choice for modern dairy farming.
Discover the game-changing benefits of batch milking straight from Texas! Watch this video to see how this efficient system is transforming dairy farms.
What is VMS Batch Milking?
VMS Batch Milking is a system that uses DeLaval VMS™ V300 automatic milking robots to milk cows in groups at scheduled times. By automating the milking process, it reduces the need for human involvement while still allowing farmers to maintain control over their milking and feeding schedules, preserving the regularity of traditional milking routines.
The VMS milking robots handle tasks such as attaching the milking cups, monitoring cow health, and collecting essential data, including information about the cow’s milk yield and milk quality. Unlike the standard VMS setup, which allows cows to be milked at any time they choose, VMS Batch Milking operates on a set schedule. This makes it easier for farmers who are accustomed to milking cows at regular times, merging the convenience of automation with the reliability of a traditional milking routine.
Recorded in real-time, this video shows how all the cows at Lønholm Agro in Denmark naturally approach the VMS for batch milking.
Scheduled milking
Farmers set a predictable milking schedule for groups of cows
Robotic efficiency
The VMS V300 robots handle all milking tasks, minimising the need for manual labour
Farmer control
Farmers retain oversight of feeding and milking schedules
How does the VMS Batch Milking process work?
- Cows are first organised into groups based on factors such as lactation stage, production levels, or feeding regimes.
- These groups are then taken to a milking centre with multiple VMS units arranged in a layout similar to a parallel parlour, which includes a central holding area.
- Each group of cows is milked simultaneously at the VMS units.
- After milking, the cows exit through selection gates that direct them to the appropriate area, such as a herd health sorting area, a holding pen, their original pen, or the next grazing area.
- The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised after each batch to maintain high milk quality.
- The process then repeats with the next group of cows. This setup allows farms to maintain their existing routines and feeding practices, facilitating a smoother transition to automated milking. Cows can be milked 2, 3, or 4 times per day, in 2 or 3 milking sessions.
What are the key benefits of VMS Batch Milking?
VMS batch milking merges traditional practices with modern robotic technology, enabling effective management of larger herds with less hands-on effort. This method optimises resource use—such as labour, water, and energy—by operating only when necessary, contributing to sustainability from teat to tank.
Seamless integration
Switching to batch milking is straightforward – you maintain your current cow management and total mixed ration feeding practices. Cows quickly adjust to the new routine, minimising the need for extensive employee training.
Simplicity for large farms
Streamlines operations for large dairy farms, eliminating the challenges of manual milking. This makes it easier to manage bigger herds, reduces staff stress, ensures smoother day-to-day operations, and improves time management.
Healthier cows
VMS are designed to be gentle and precise. They help minimise over-milking, support optimal hygiene, and reduce stress with a calm, consistent milking process. This focus on healthier cows improves milk quality and boosts farm productivity.
Future-ready infrastructure
Designed to adapt to technological advancements, you can easily expand or upgrade your robotic systems as new innovations emerge, ensuring your investment remains relevant and beneficial.
Superior capital utilisation
Robots can milk almost twice as many cows per hour as traditional systems, maximising capital investment. This enables farmers to increase productivity without a corresponding rise in costs.
Increased sustainability
Helps to maximise sustainability by optimising labour, water, and energy use, while also supporting cow welfare through efficient and responsible operation.
Società Agricola F.lli Aceto
Renato Aceto, one of the owners of Società Agricola F.lli Aceto in Calabria, Italy, explains why they decided to transition to VMS Batch Milking. "We began thinking outside the box and developed this innovative system," he says. At first, he was unsure about switching to VMS, but quickly discovered that his concerns were unfounded. The decision was ultimately driven by the system's ease of use, its potential for growth, and the ability to maintain their existing feed receipt. With the introduction of eight VMS V300 units, they are now poised to expand to over 480 cows in just three years.
How is it different from traditional VMS setups, parlours, and rotary systems?
Traditional AMS/VMS setups
Unlike traditional AMS/VMS setups, where cows have free access to robots and choose their own milking times, VMS batch milking operates on a fixed schedule. This approach brings cows to the milking area in groups, streamlining the milking process and enhancing efficiency, particularly for medium to large-sized farms.
If you view traditional AMS setups as the preferred alternative, then consider these VMS batch milking benefits:
- Maintain cost-efficient TMR feeding while milking automatically.
- Achieve separation of cows and milk separation in one place.
- Pens remain empty during bedding management.
- No cows need to be fetched between milkings. In free cow traffic systems, 5- 10% of cows often need to be fetched for milking at least twice a day.
- There’s no need for 24/7 backup to manage alarms.
- It’s not critical if one of the stations stops working, as you have multiple other stations in the same batch.
Parlour and rotary systems
While traditional parlours and rotary systems follow a schedule, they often require more manual labour for tasks like attaching milking units. VMS batch milking provides higher levels of automation and data collection, enabling better herd health monitoring and udder health management for informed decision-making.
If you use parlour or rotary milking, then consider the following advantages of batch milking:
- You continue managing and feeding your cows as you do today; you just milk automatically.
- Automatic milking provides a consistent routine, eliminating the need to train new employees.
- Calmer cows result from a less stressful milking environment.
- It is easy to expand or upgrade the robots to newer models in the future.
- You optimise capital investment, milking almost double the number of cows per hour per bail/robot compared to parlour or rotary systems.
Which farms are best suited for VMS batch milking?
As labour costs increase and skilled workers become harder to find, VMS Batch Milking reduces reliance on manual labour, allowing staff to focus on overseeing operations and responding to system notifications rather than performing routine tasks.
Ideal for farms with 500–2,000 cows
VMS Batch Milking is best suited for medium to large farms with herds of 500 to 2,000 cows. Managing such a large number of cows can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. VMS Batch Milking automates the milking process, saving you time and optimising your resources.
The system provides valuable data to monitor herd health, milk production, and feeding, allowing you to stay on top of your farm’s performance. With VMS Batch Milking, you can boost productivity and manage labour more efficiently. It’s perfect for modernising or expanding your farm and integrates seamlessly with your existing setup.
How many cows can be milked?
The capacity of a VMS batch setup depends on several factors, including the number of VMS stations, the frequency of milking (2, 2.5, or 3 times a day), and the operating hours of the system. Other factors include the milk speed/flow of your cows, the breed of the cows, and how well the operator manages cow flow within the system.
Capacities typically range between 7 and 8.5 cows per hour per station. The number of stations required in the setup also depends on the group sizes in the barn.
What does a VMS batch milking set-up look like?
The design of VMS batch milking setups can vary greatly. Some farms opt for cost-effective configurations, while others prioritise high-efficiency systems. The flexibility of VMS systems makes them adaptable to farms of various sizes, provided that careful planning and design are undertaken.
A well-designed VMS batch milking setup aims to balance efficiency and flexibility. Typically, this includes holding areas ranging from 5.5 to 7.2 metres in width, equipped with automatic or manual gates to manage cow traffic effectively.
Farms can implement different layouts based on specific needs. For example:
• Narrow holding area with backing gate: One farm with 14 VMS units uses a narrower holding area with a backing gate for cleaning. In this setup, cows enter from one side and exit from the other, which helps streamline the milking process.
• Crowd gate: Some farms use a crowd gate to manage cow flow. However, this can sometimes limit milking opportunities by restricting cow access to the robots. Well-organised holding areas can often eliminate the need for crowd gates, ensuring a smoother and more efficient operation.
