Page 13 - AWA Vol.41-No.6 2025

DAIRY FARMING

M²Erlin Milking Robot – The Most Flexible Milking Robot On The Market

More and more dairy farmers are
choosing robotic milking because of
labor savings, improved cow comfort,
and valuable data insights. The M2er‑
lin milking robot from Fullwood JOZ
perfectly responds to this. This robot
is designed for maximum flexibility in
every barn and optimal results in milk
production, animal health, and ease of
use.
Compact robot, natural cow flow new and existing barns. quiet electric robot arm and the natural
The M2erlin stands out with its unique Smart milking technology entry and exit make the milking pro‑
Twin-entry/Twin-exit concept. This The M2erlin is equipped with exclu‑ cess stress-free. The result: a relaxed
double entry and exit enable a natu‑ sive Streampulse milking technolo‑ cow that performs better.
ral cow flow without queues or bottle‑ gy. This system creates a longer milk Smart FULLSENSE milking robot
necks. column and lower vacuum during the software
Additionally, it offers a compact sep‑ resting phase, resulting in a calmer The M2erlin is supported by our smart
aration possibility. Cows can easily milking process, healthier teats, and FULLSENSE milking robot software.
be selected for pasture or straw pen higher milk yield. On average, 50% of This software translates complex data
without the need for extra separation the milk is milked in the first two min‑
gates—a win‑win. utes. That’s speed and efficiency. into clear insights and concrete recom‑
mendations, such as real‑time updates
Another advantage of the compact ro‑ Cow-friendly milking on milk production, cow health, milk
bot box and the double entry and exit The M2erlin is built with the cow in
is the wide range of installation options, mind. The open box ensures the cow quality, and feeding strategy—all in
such as side‑by‑side, tandem, parallel, stays in contact with the herd, prevent‑ one user‑friendly dashboard.
or head‑to‑head setups. Ideal for both ing restlessness. The exceptionally Circle 14 on enquiry card

Strategic Genetics are Driving Efficiency and

Confidence at Dobcross Hall Farm
Breeding Better, Breeding Smarter tinely genomic testing all heifers. The
Under the stewardship of third‑gen‑ results speak for themselves.
eration farmer Ian and Alistair Holli‑ Current Performance:
day, Dobcross Hall has evolved into Daily yield: 38.5 litres per cow
a progressive, data‑led dairy enter‑
prise. A full Cogent client for the past Milk quality: 4.7% fat and 3.5% pro‑
two years, Ian works closely with Co‑ tein
gent Genetics Consultant Mike Stob‑ Annual target: Over 12,000 litres with
bart and uses DNA testing, genomic three-times-daily milking
mating plans, and support from Co‑ Facilities: 350 cows in new shed, ro‑
gent Genetic Services Specialist (GSS) good bulls. It gave us confidence in tary parlour
Ruth Harper to make consistent, confi‑ using the genetics a bit stronger. And "From doing the genomic testing,
dent breeding decisions aligned with helped push us toward becoming a we saw all the low-ranking animals,
his herd goals. fully Cogent herd." which we maybe wouldn't have seen
"Since working with Ruth and using This reinforced belief in Cogent's previously, and were able to cut them
genomic testing, there's been a real breeding programme has helped Dob‑ out bringing the bottom line up. The
shift," Ian explains. "We've cut out cross Hall stay focused on long‑term average is going up, which is the im‑
low-ranking animals and the average goals: breeding robust, high‑yielding portant part."
is going up. I'm not too bothered about Holsteins with strong health traits, high GSS: BRINGING STRUCTURE AND
the top end, it's the herd average £PLI, and increasingly, EcoFeed effi‑ SUPPORT
that matters." ciency.
As herd size increased, so did the
Confidence Through Consistency The Genomic Testing Journey need for clarity and coordination.
A pivotal moment in Ian's genetic Ian's genomic testing story demon‑ That's where GSS, Ruth Harper be‑
strategy came during a Cogent-or‑ strates the long‑term value of genetic came vital, providing:
ganised US trip, where he saw first‑ data. "I did some testing six years ago Weekly genomic results analysis
hand the daughters of bulls including when it first came out, then stopped
Captain, Earl, Illusion and Thorson, because the price increased. I looked Strategic mating plans ensuring con‑
sires he has now used confidently. back on the data five years later and sistency across the team
"The US trip was really good. We saw it proved the ones that had the higher Selectionå of appropriate animals for
all the bull studs, heifers, and went ranking had done a lot better, so it just sexed semen
round various different farms. We gave me confidence." Ongoing breeding programme man‑
saw a lot of daughters of some really Since the US trip, Ian has been rou‑ agement Circle 15 on enquiry card
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