Thread: Robotic cow milker from Sweden at CA Ag Show!

The World Ag Expo, held annually, in Tulare, CA, which runs Mon-Thursday is the largest exhibit of agricultural products and technology in the world.
http://www.worldagexpo.com/


Dairies look to Ag Expo for technology
By Robert Rodriguez / The Fresno Bee
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/18 ... =mirelated
(scroll down on left to milking machine video)

Bigger herds mean bigger headaches for dairy operators around the world -- many of whom came to Tulare this week for answers.

The trend toward bigger dairies, driven by demand for greater efficiency, poses challenges, including disposing of what comes out of a cow and getting the most of out what they put into it.

Whatever the size or location of their herds, those in the industry face increasing pressures and challenges -- including how to address water quality and handle complaints from downwind neighbors.

The rain may have muddied the grounds of the International Agri-Center in Tulare, but it did not seem to slow the thousands of visitors to the 43rd annual World Ag Expo.

"Yeah, it's muddy, but we wouldn't miss this," said Katherine Martins of Tulare. "You put your boots on and you come on out. It's an adventure."

This is the largest farm equipment trade show of its kind and attracts people from all over the world. For three days the expo grounds become the showplace for the latest innovations in farming technology.

bad economy in mind

With the economy in turmoil, the annual trade show that bills itself as the World Ag Expo is working to put its best face forward.

The three-day event, which begins this year on Feb. 9, draws more than 100,000 visitors and about 1,500 vendors from around the world. But even the Ag Expo is not immune from a punishing economy.

“There is attrition, but it is certainly less than we anticipated,â€

Good idea. This pic is from the story:


DeLaval's Voluntary Milking System draws the curious during a demonstration Wednesday morning at the World Ag Expo. Made by the Swedish-based DeLaval, the equipment uses sensors to attach itself to the udders.

There will always be a certain amount of human labor needed in agriculture. But we have not yet seen how much can be done by machinery. With a nation of 300 million, and who knows how many engineers, plus access to what other civilized countries have developed----we need to wean ourselves of our dependence on imported labor.

US farms that pay upwards of a hundred dollars per day for human labor will lose out to Third World Agribusiness that pays five or ten.