Robotic feed pusher adds 3 litres per cow

Following the 2018 launch of the OptiDuo™ feed pushing robot, DeLaval has launched a new model claiming the technology can add up to three litres per cow per day. Data from over 1500 OptiDuos has been collated to demonstrate the time and labour savings made by users. It also shows multiple improvements in cow health.

“Constantly refreshing feed encourages cows to eat more, which results in a more stable rumen and more milk. OptiDuo will run up to 10 times a day and customers tell us, that on every occasion, they see the cows return to the fence to eat more,” explains Ludo Bols, DeLaval feeding specialist.

The OptiDuo remixes forage to make it more palatable and reduce waste. A twin-spiralled rotating auger and adaptive drive function enables a variety of forage types to be mixed and made available to cows 24 hours a day.

Feeding concentrates is also an option with the latest model. A concentrate dispenser inside the OptiDuo can be filled whilst the machine is charging, enabling concentrates to be fed out and recorded throughout the day.

The new OptiDuo features an impact-resistant engineering thermoplastic cover made from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) which is also used in car manufacturing. Inside, updated software collects more data which is shared using DeLaval’s operating system.

Farmers with milking robots have reported that cow flow and robot visits have improved with OptiDuo. The addition of the feed pushing robot has increased yields and helped make more milk from forage.

“On farms that have chosen to invest in milking robots, we have seen milk yields increase by up to three litres of milk per cow per day. For those who have invested, OptiDuo has provided improved cow health, farm profitability, operational efficiency and milk yield,” concludes Mr Bols.