Automated Milking Machine

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This rather frightening device is the Voluntary Milking System or VMS, an advanced, fully-automated milking stall for dairy cattle developed by DeLaval (formerly Alfa Laval), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty dairy equipment (and other equipment). This stall is capable of milking a cow from start to finish without any human intervention.

The cow enters on the right side of the stall (the large mechanical arm in the foreground moves out of the way to permit this). Each cow is individually identified by a computer incorporated into the system. The cow is provided with tasty food and water in dispensers individually adjusted to each cow’s height (they are behind the equipment bank of the stall on the right here), while the mechanical arm moves into place and starts the milking process. Electro-optical sensors locate each of the teats of the cow’s udder, sterilize them, test them, remove foremilk from the udder, then clean them and start the milking process, all automatically. This isn’t an experimental project; the stall actually works (I saw a demonstration) and it is already in use on a number of progressive dairy farms. A documentary on the system showed an entire farm in which milking proceeds without human intervention thanks to a handful of VMS stalls.

Cows like to be milked (it is quite a relief for them), so they don’t object to stepping into the stall. I don’t know that I’d be thrilled to see a mechanical arm lunging towards my nether regions, but cows are apparently undisturbed by this. The device is actually just as gentle as a human attendant despite its fearsome appearance. It’s quite a cool gadget.

This photo was taken at the Salon International de l’Agriculture of 2000, right next to the miniature dairy constructed on the premises (and also operated by DeLaval).

Photographed on March 4, 2000.