What It Really Takes to Be Successful with Robotic Milking
I recently joined a webinar through Penn State Extension on making robots successful, with Joe Bender presenting. I’ll be honest—I usually go into these with a bit of skepticism. Not because they aren’t valuable, but because I know I come in with my own bias from what we see every day in the field. I’m always curious about what I’ll agree with and what I won’t.
Joe did a great job presenting facts, recent studies, and sharing his own observations (and clearly calling them opinions when they were). One thing he said had me cheering behind my screen:
“Robots have the potential to make a good dairyman great—and a bad dairyman worse.”
That’s exactly right.
I’ve always said robots are the ultimate magnifier. They don’t create problems, but they will absolutely expose them. Over the last ten years at Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, I’ve seen that play out both ways.
So, what separates the farms that do well with robots from the ones that struggle?
Daily Habits Matter More Than Anything
The farms that perform well tend to be very consistent in the basics.
They have clear protocols, including those around fetching cows. Their team knows which animals need attention and when— like fresh cows and heifers. Those groups usually get fetched 3x a day, not just when someone has time.
They also stay on top of daily maintenance—and not just a quick rinse of the robot.
They go above and beyond by doing things like:
- Checking liners for wear or tears
- Making sure lasers are calibrated
- Keeping the 3D camera clean
That last one gets overlooked a lot. It directly impacts attachment, and more often than not, we’re cleaning cameras that should’ve been part of a daily routine.
The most successful customers are actively using their data every single day with various reports like the “advice” and “attention” lists. Cows that need attention don’t get missed, they get the hands-on care they need.
Preventative Maintenance Isn’t Optional
The farms that consistently perform well also understand the value of sticking to a preventative maintenance schedule.
They see the value in the expense; the value in having trained technicians in the barn on a regular basis. Our service team is looking at multiple robots every single day, across a wide range of farms. They’re seeing patterns, catching small issues early, and noticing things that are easy to miss when you’re around the same equipment day in and day out.
It’s not just about fixing problems—it’s about preventing them before they start.
On the other side of it, one of the more common things we see when farms feel pressure to cut costs is delaying or skipping maintenance altogether. It might seem like a reasonable short-term decision, but it usually leads to more downtime, more repairs, and higher costs over time.
The farms that do the best with robots tend to take the opposite approach—they stay consistent with maintenance, even when things are busy or margins feel tight, because they understand what it costs to fall behind.
Where Things Start to Slip
The farms that struggle usually aren’t doing anything dramatically wrong—they’re just inconsistent.
A pretty common routine looks like:
- Wash the robot down
- Grab a few fetch cows
- Move on to the next thing (especially this time of year)
And that’s understandable. Spring doesn’t slow down for anyone.
But robotic systems don’t handle inconsistency very well. The small things that seem like they can wait are usually the ones that come back to bite later.
Using the Data (or Not)
Another big separator is how comfortable farms are using data.
The ones that do well are in it regularly. Many are on FMS (Farm Management Support) agreements and have consistent communication with our FMS Specialist, Kayla Brody, who is reviewing their data and helping spot trends early. That allows for more proactive decision-making.
The farms that struggle tend to fall behind here. They may not be using Horizon to it’s full capacity, or they’re unsure how to act on what they’re seeing. In some cases, they’re not really tapping into the support that’s available to them.
Being Willing to Adjust
Probably the biggest difference, though, is mindset.
The farms that succeed understand that robots aren’t just a new piece of equipment, they require a different way of managing cows. They’re open to adjusting routines, trying new approaches, and using the system the way it was designed to be used.
They also recognize that cows adapt quickly. People take a little longer, and that’s okay—but only if you’re willing to make the shift.
The farms that struggle tend to do the opposite. They try to manage robots exactly like they managed a parlor. They don’t trust the data. They rely on old habits.
And that’s where friction starts.
A Quick Example: Somatic Cell Count
One point Joe covered was somatic cell count in robotic systems, which is something we get asked about all the time.
The research he shared showed:
- 24% of farms improved
- 68% stayed about the same
- 8% got worse
There’s no clear “robots fix this” takeaway—and that’s the point.
Outcomes depend heavily on management.
Things like stall cleanliness, consistency in routines, and follow-through on small tasks carry more weight in a robotic setup. Skipping a day here and there might not have had much impact in a parlor, but it tends to show up faster with robots. The best dairymen understand that success isn’t built on big changes—it’s built on small, consistent actions done well every day.
Robots are a great tool, but they’re not a shortcut. They tend to amplify what’s already happening on a farm. The operations that are consistent, detail-oriented, and willing to adapt usually see the most benefit. If you’re considering robots, the question isn’t just “Will this technology work on my farm?” It’s, “am I ready to manage differently?” Because robots will absolutely magnify what you’re already doing, good or bad.