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Automation & Labor in Dairy Farming

June 18, 2024

By: Fernando García Covarrubias, PhD (UC Davis); Luis Peña-Lévano, PhD (UC Davis)

Dr. Fernando recently presented our work at the 2024 stem humanities early career symposium at UC Riverside.

Summary

We are delighted to share that Dr Fernando Garcia-Covarrubias recently presented our research on labour and automation in dairy farms at the 2024 STEM-Humanities Early Career Scientist Symposium at UC Riverside.

News

Our exploratory study, led by Dr Luis Pena-Levano and co-authored with Dr Shaheer Burney from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, explores the dynamics of labour and automation on dairy farms in California and Wisconsin. Conducted during Spring 2024, this analysis is based on a comprehensive survey of dairy farmers in these states.

Key Insights from Our Research:

Regional Labor Differences:

We found significant variations in labor sources between California and Wisconsin, the two largest dairy states.

Preference for Partial Automation:

Automatic cluster removers are more widely adopted than fully automated systems.

Drivers of Automation:

Enhanced milk yield and labor concerns are primary motivators for farmers to consider automation.

Investment Barriers:

The high investment cost remains a significant obstacle to adopting robotic milking technologies.

Our findings highlight that while there is a growing interest in automation, its adoption is still in the early stages, particularly in California.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Louis’ Lab at UC Davis as we continue to explore the evolving outlook of labor and technology in agriculture.