Is automated feeding an attractive option for me?

Automation is becoming increasingly important on modern dairy cow farms to allow for efficient and profitable milk production. In particular, the ability to feed several times per day has a positive impact on the cows dry matter intake and feed conversion efficiency. Research shows that a higher feed conversion ratio is the basis for improved overall condition and health of the cattle, resulting in a higher milk yield, better fertility and animal health. The addition of automatic feeding may appear to be a unmanageable step for many dairy producers, but due to improved efficiencies automatic feeding can be profitable with as few as 50 cows.

Automatic feeding results in a higher milking frequency when an automated milking system is used. However, even without an automatic milking system, the cows produce more milk with a feeding robot. The reason is the continuous supply of freshly mixed feed. This means less competition for feed and more timid cows receive the ration they need. It is also very important for each group to get the right rations, with different menus for calves, lactating cows and dry cows. Precisely formulated rations achieve the best results. This also applies to goats and beef cattle. With an automatic feeding system you can get the best possible results. With a feeding robot you can program different rations, and each group of cattle can receive fresh feed up to 12 times per day. That's really not practical without automatic feeding.

Flexibility and quality of life

Automation also means flexibility for the livestock farmer, simplifying the farm management process, resulting in a more relaxed private life. Depending on the design, the feed can be stored in the feed kitchen for one or more days, which leads to more flexibility in when the feed kitchen is restocked. The automatic feeding system can be programmed so that the feeding robot carries out the feed turns on its own, without any intervention by the (dairy) farmer. This flexibility makes it easier to schedule other activities, such as making silage. Loading the feed kitchen can also be planned in such a way as to minimize farm work at times like weekends or holidays.

Automatic feeding system from Trioliet

Trioliet has developed the Triomatic automatic feeding system, where simplicity is king. The 12 different Triomatic systems are easy to use and to install. The different feed storage systems can be combined with the wheel-based feeding robot, the battery powered robot and the rail suspended feeding robot

Switch to an automatic feeding system?

As you investigate automatic feeding you will see that its benefits are many times more than just the savings in labor. Research among Triomatic users has shown that the cost savings can add up to as much as EUR 40,000. The savings come mainly from improved usage of feedstuffs, higher milk production with better content, reduced labor and lower energy costs. The Triomatic's energy consumption is approximately 10 kWh per day per 100 livestock units, which is still less than EUR 2 per day. But it is not only the bottom line that improves, the cows' health also improves because they are being fed multiple times per day.

It has been proven that feeding more frequently means higher feed conversion, higher milk production, better health and higher fertility among the livestock. To be able to feed more frequently, modern farmers with livestock opt for robotic feeding systems. the addition of automatic feeding may appear to be a unmanageable step for many dairy producers, but due to improved efficiencies automatic feeding can be profitable with as few as 50 cows.

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