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Jim Dukelow holds the youngest member of the farm crew at Dukestead Acres Dairy, his grandson Hudson.
Each cow at Dukestead Acres has a white ear tag that relays information to robotic milkers. It regulates the amount of concentrate fed in the milker along with the number of times a cow is allowed to enter the unit.
Marilyn Dukelow introduces guests to the Dukestead Farm field day, which began with a lifestock-ventilation presentation by Nesli Akdenis, University of Wisconsin-Division of Extension assistant professor and livestock controlled-environment specialist.
Greg Dukelow says the switch to robotics has resulted in a calmer environment in the farm's freestall barn; cows have a more-self-regulated eating and milking schedule.
A manure separator removes moisture from manure produced on the farm, allowing Dukestead Acres to use robotic bedding units to distribute small amounts of bedding slowly and almost continuously throughout the day.
Rotating cattle brushes are located throughout the barn, adding to cow comfort for the Dukelow 460-cow Holstein herd.
Robotic feed pushers run continuously to gradually move feed closer to the feed rail on the farm.
Blue ear tags communicate with antennae located throughout the Dukestead Acres freestall barn. The system locates where cows are so they can be checked more rapidly for sorting.
Robotic milkers approach cows from the side when placing milking units. Greg Dukelow says it took a few millkngs for the herd to adjust; their previous milking parlor was one where the herd was milked between their rear legs.
Jon Dukelow explains the method used for sorting cows at Dukestead Acres. His wife, Dr. Marisa Dukelow, whom he met on the farm, performs the herd health checks. She's a veterinarian at the nearby Medford Veterinary Clinic.
Todd and Jessica Ertl attend the Dukestead field day with their son, Trevor, and his fiancé, Abigail Reis. The Ertls are from Harmony Holsteins near Unity, Wisconsin; they say they're becoming increasingly interested in the potential of robotic milkers.
Manure solids used for bedding at Dukestead are 65 percent moisture when distributed by the robotic bedding units. Because they spread a very small amount with each pass the bedding dries quickly to a functional state.
Dukestead Acres is a family-run dairy farm. Jon, Aaron, Nathan, Chris, Marilyn, Greg and Jim Dukelow take a break from answering questions at the Dukestead Acres field-day event. Not pictured are Dr. Marisa Dukelow, veterinarian, and Monica Dukelow, wives of Jon and Chris Dukelow.
Greg Galbraith
ABBOTSFORD, Wis. – “How did we do that?” Marilyn Dukelow said with a smile. “Of course it helped that we were 26 years younger.”
Monica Dukelow
Greg Galbraith, a former dairy farmer, writes about the rapidly changing nature of the agricultural landscape. He has built a lifetime connection to the land and those who farm it.
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Marilyn Dukelow introduces guests to the Dukestead Farm field day, which began with a lifestock-ventilation presentation by Nesli Akdenis, University of Wisconsin-Division of Extension assistant professor and livestock controlled-environment specialist.
Robotic milkers approach cows from the side when placing milking units. Greg Dukelow says it took a few millkngs for the herd to adjust; their previous milking parlor was one where the herd was milked between their rear legs.
Jon Dukelow explains the method used for sorting cows at Dukestead Acres. His wife, Dr. Marisa Dukelow, whom he met on the farm, performs the herd health checks. She's a veterinarian at the nearby Medford Veterinary Clinic.
Todd and Jessica Ertl attend the Dukestead field day with their son, Trevor, and his fiancé, Abigail Reis. The Ertls are from Harmony Holsteins near Unity, Wisconsin; they say they're becoming increasingly interested in the potential of robotic milkers.
Manure solids used for bedding at Dukestead are 65 percent moisture when distributed by the robotic bedding units. Because they spread a very small amount with each pass the bedding dries quickly to a functional state.
Dukestead Acres is a family-run dairy farm. Jon, Aaron, Nathan, Chris, Marilyn, Greg and Jim Dukelow take a break from answering questions at the Dukestead Acres field-day event. Not pictured are Dr. Marisa Dukelow, veterinarian, and Monica Dukelow, wives of Jon and Chris Dukelow.
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