New Association Hopes to Harness Robotic Milking Technology

Don’t let the acronym fool you: Despite ARM being short for the name of this organization, there aren’t any arms needed for the industry the association represents.

The Association of Robotic Milkers  (opens in a new tab) (ARM), a new offshoot of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF), aims to give farmers focused on a relatively new sector a collective voice.

The group, which announced its launch at RABDF’s Livestock Event  (opens in a new tab) this week, is intended to ensure that those actively using the devices in milk production are represented.

“Some robot users are already part of local discussion groups, but the idea of the ARM is to bring all the groups together on a national scale, while at the same time keeping the regional groups—a bit like the British Grassland Society,” ARM Director Tim Gibson said at the group’s launch event, according to Farmers Weekly  (opens in a new tab).

RABDF National Coordinator Emily Egan added that the automation technology has seen a lot of growth so far, but little has been done to get advocates for the technology on the same page.

“We are pleased to launch the Association of Robotic Milkers at a time when approximately one half of new dairy installations are robotic and interest in automated systems continues to gain momentum,” Egan noted to The Cattle Site  (opens in a new tab). “The forum is designed to provide a discussion platform for farmers operating what is still relatively very new technology.”

Membership in the organization will cost £65 per year (about $100) and will include dedicated benefits for ARM members, along with additional membership in RABDF.

(Marcia O’Connor/Flickr)