Milking technology innovations are shaping dairy barns of future

Innovations in milking technology that are shaping the dairy barns of the future will be a DLG Spotlight at EuroTier's 'Barn Robot Event' in Hanover to reflect livestock precision practices such as automated milking, feeding and cleaning systems which are simplifying farm work

These advancements are driven by robot-assisted automation, which is also ruling modern animal welfare, animal health and environmental performance.

Robotics and automated systems in livestock farming have eliminated the backbreaking and time-intensive tasks for farmers, boosting operational accuracy while addressing labour shortage in agriculture.

With menial works such as milking, feeding, manure removal and bedding now automised, farm managers and employees can invest in critical areas such as animal monitoring and farm management.

When it comes to dairy farming, a milking robot can carry out up to 200 milkings per day. For farmers, this represents a considerable relief, as fixed milking times in the early morning or on weekends are no longer necessary.

Modern feeding robots pick out individual feed components so that animals get fresh rations multiple times a day. This significantly reduces feeding time by up to two-thirds. Automated feeding systems retrieve hay, silage as well as mineral and protein supplements from storage units and prepare precisely balanced rations. During feeding, the systems also push the feed towards the edge of the feed table so that animals can access it easily at all times.

In addition to milking and feeding robots, cleaning and manure removal robots are becoming increasingly important. They clean barn alleys and housing surfaces autonomously, ensuring hygienic conditions in the barn. Scraper robots are now considered indispensable on many farms and are often integrated directly into newly designed housing systems.

The Barn Robot Event will reflect practical solutions in livestock farming, with three main focus areas: retrofit solutions (conversion from conventional milking parlours to robotic systems), new-build solutions, and milking in large herds.

EuroTier will take place from 10 to 13 November 2026.