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First Robotic Milking Machines Installed in Orkney

Finding good reliable labour is an increasing concern for our industry, leading many dairy farmers to look at the use of robots to improve efficiency and help听with labour听shortages.听It is estimated that one in 10 UK herds now use robotic miking machines, with a surge in the number of businesses using the technology due to听improved technology, the prospect of saving labour and the availability of grant funding.听

The availability of听grant funding听through听Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), alongside听Orkney Islands Council听and听Island Centre for Net Zero听has听provided an opportunity for dairy farmers on Orkney听to move to milking by robot.听This grant has听successfully听allowed one dairy based in Orkney to move from the traditional herringbone parlour to two robots and despite being in place for only three weeks the cows have increased in production by 15%. The hope is that other dairies within Orkney听will听also make the move towards robots to allow听these herds听to maximise production and听ultimately听keep听the dairy industry within the isles moving forward.听

Orkney Dairies听听

There are currently just听11听dairy farms in Orkney, this number has听reduced听from 23 dairies in 2007.听In recent years through retirement and lack of succession the number of milk producers has dropped to a worrying level.听Milk production on Orkney is important for several reasons namely that most of the milk produced is made into Orkney听cheese.听The original听creamery was听established听in 1946听as a consequence of听the milk supply having increased during the Second World War. If milk production were to fall the viability of this business alongside other food businesses, reliant on Orkney milk for bottling and ice cream making could potentially听impact听employment opportunities.听听

The听grant has听allowed a听45-year-old听parlour to be replaced by two robots, fitted into an existing shed after some modifications.听The two robots听are capable of milking听110 cows maximum, and the area has been designed to allow the installation of a third robot should it ever be听required. While robot milking systems can be efficient, the costs associated with installation are high and should be considered carefully as听additional听equipment is likely to be also be needed. Alongside the听robots a new feed bin, Wi-Fi, foot bath, a new volume washer, slurry channel and a segregation area were also installed.听听

Building Design听听

Building layout is a key thing to consider when deciding on听whether to go down the robotic route. A purpose-built shed is likely to be beyond the budget of many businesses, with most instead looking to incorporate robotic systems into old听buildings. Some of the important things to consider include ease of handling cows for TB testing and AI and ensuring that there are no bottlenecks allowing cows to be听frequently听milked.听听

Cow Transition to Robotic Milking听听

Along with training staff, cows also need to be trained to the new system. After a period of intensive cow training and pushing cows into the robots, the Orkney cows have adjusted well. The first week was 24 hours a day to push cows into the robots, the second week this was reduced to 12-15 hours and in week three there are reports of being home in time for tea at 6pm! The cows are noticeably happier and calmer with the farmer noting that even the flightier cows that were prone to kicking in the old parlour are happy to be milked by the robot.听听

The听installation of the听robots听has听made a听significant听difference to the听electricity听costs of the business听despite having two vacuum pumps and three water meters, the main difference would appear to be the efficiencies savings on the running of the bulk tank. Under the old system, the tank would run for five to six hours a day, now听it is hardly on as the milk is cooled using water from a borehole, and it听is听fed using a trickle system.听听

Despite the recent drop in milk prices听witnessed听elsewhere, it is hoped that dairy farmers continue to invest in the use of technology to help to future proof their businesses. Long may Orkney continue to听milk cows to make Orkney cheese.听听

Five Top Tips听

1. Grant funding is available through Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Consider eligibility and how your business could make use of the opportunities available.听听听
2. The simplest way to install robots is to have a purpose built shed, however,听the听cost can be prohibitive, it can be done retrospectively as in this case听on Orkney. Planning is essential.听听
3. While听robotic听milking systems can be an efficient, high-welfare option for dairy herds, costs are high and a decision to invest must be carefully听considered against the suitability of your business.听
4. Although robots provide labour savings, labour is still听required听for herd management and听maintaining听foot health etc.听听
5. Cows and farm staff will require听training to the new system.听听

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Susan Pirie,听Senior Consultant and Area Manager,听Susan.Pirie@sac.co.uk

Posted by SAC Consulting on 11/12/2025