Friday, 28 June 2024 10:55

ErgoPOD set for 2025 farm debut

Written by  Staff Reporters
ErgoPOD will be commercially available on farms from 2025. ErgoPOD will be commercially available on farms from 2025.

Waikato Milking Systems has unveiled the final production version of its ErgoPOD, a state-of-the-art semi-robotic technology designed to increase milking speed, productivity, and efficiency in the parlour.

ErgoPOD will be available for installation on farms next year. After years of development, the prototype was introduced a year ago and at this year’s Fieldays, visitors saw the final production version.

WMS executive chairman Jamie Mikkelson says that to unlock the significant productivity gains that ErgoPOD now provides, the company embarked on a mission several years ago to understand the barriers and challenges that limit milking efficiency.

By studying the work routines of milking operators, they identified the activities that increased effort for the operator and posed musculoskeletal challenges leading to fatigue and health impacts. “We also meticulously analysed every aspect of the milking routine to identify opportunities for automation that would reduce labour and make milking easier,” says Mikkelson.

The culmination of their research and development efforts, guided by a milking science- based approach, resulted in a groundbreaking milking management system. This system significantly reduces the effort required in milking, breaks productivity barriers, and creates a healthier, safer milking environment.

The company says after years of development, ErgoPOD promises to revolutionise milking for dairy farmers worldwide.

More like this

Safer feeding for dairy cows

Cows ingesting metal objects in conserved feed is typically going to end in tears, quite often with a trip to the knacker’s yard.

Merlo adds to its all-electric range

While electric vehicles, despite subdued sales at present, seem to be finding converts in the car industry, one wonders if they have a place in agriculture.

Claas offers new cylinder option

Renowned as market leaders in the self-propelled forage harvester sector, Claas has used its experience of chopping a wide range of crops on farms worldwide to improve the heart of the machine – the chopping cylinder.

Tractor to help budding farmers

Jeff Farm is a 2433ha property near Gore, owned and run by the Salvation Army since the early 1950s after it was gifted by farmer Edmund Jeff, with the stipulation it be "used to train young people with a passion for agriculture, who would not otherwise have such a career option" - for a career in the New Zealand agricultural industry.

Featured

Ready for a new challenge

After spending 20 years running her own successful environmental consultancy in Central Otago, Kate Scott is ready for a new challenge.

Trade chaos coming?

International trade expert Stephen Jacobi says there could be “chaos” if President-elect Donald Trump sticks to his plan to slap high tariffs on goods from three key import markets.

Fresh fruit, veg exports to top $3.4b

New Zealanders ate over $1 billion of potatoes last year, Taiwan is consuming more than $44m worth of New Zealand cherries, and Royal Gala apples are our most popular apple export variety, comprising almost 22% of apple exports.

National

Net zero pilot farm success

A net zero pilot dairy farm, set up in Taranaki two years ago to help reduce on-farm emissions, is showing…

DairyNZ chair wants cross-party deal

New DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says bipartisan agreement among political parties on emissions pricing and freshwater regulations would greatly help…

Machinery & Products

Claas offers new cylinder option

Renowned as market leaders in the self-propelled forage harvester sector, Claas has used its experience of chopping a wide range…

Safer feeding for dairy cows

Cows ingesting metal objects in conserved feed is typically going to end in tears, quite often with a trip to…

BA Pumps expand

Cambridge based BA Pumps & Sprayers, specialists in New Zealand-made spraying equipment, has acquired Tokoroa Engineering’s product range, including the…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Carbon tax

OPINION: A group of University of Auckland academics claim a carbon tax is the most effective way for New Zealand…

Farmer fury

OPINION: The new Labour Government in the UK is facing the wrath of farmers. Last week thousands of farmers and…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter