29 Oct 2011

Robots allow cows to milk themselves

9:57 am on 29 October 2011

Robots are being used to milk a herd of cows in Canterbury and the farmer who owns them says they are much healthier.

Farmer and businessman Ryan Carr of Mayfield has four robots on his farm near Ashburton which allow the cows to decide when they want to be milked.

Mr Carr told Country Life that the robotic system also means cows can eat and move at their own pace.

He says that's doing wonders for their health and they have a longer life expectancy.

Farm production has also improved and is 4% ahead of this time last year.

Mr Carr said each unit costs about $250,000.