Robotic milkers tranform Scots dairy business, Oxford Farming Conference hears

Scottish borders dairy farmer Sally Wilson sees robotic milking as transforming technology not just for her business but also for her cows, she told the Oxford Farming Conference.

Mrs Wilson said buying three Astronaut robots had completely changed the farm and led to a new opportunity for her to grow income by becoming a robotics consultant.

The young farmer, who manages 1,000 acres, 300 holsteins and 1,600 breeding ewes with her family at Clackmae, said:“We didn’t go 100% robotic immediately because we didn’t want to abandon use of the parlour completely due to the investment in it. But we will go entirely robotic by 2020.

“It has been the best thing I have ever done for my cows and allowed me to properly manage them”.

The work on advising other farmers about cow management with robotics came about because she spotted a need for more hands on support for those adopting the technology.

She believes dairy farmers can advance their businesses quicker by embracing new equipment and techniques.

Her other interest is with the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET), which does crucial work in encouraging schoolchildren on to farms.

“We are the best ambassadors for our industry and our produce. No one can match our enthusiasm and passion for what we do day in and day out, “ she said in urging all farmers to open their doors to the next generation.

More on this topic

Read more about the Oxford Farming Conference