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power to chip in and share all of the chores, Wilma pointed out, but in the case of the small Smith clan, the recent automation has been a godsend to give them more free time. What used to be a two-man job, milking the traditional way, is now a one-man job. Graham and Holly actually had the opportunity to go away on a recent weekend. The Lely Astronaut robotic milking system came all the way from Ella, lowa. It was installed last January by Snoddon Farm Equipment in the Smith’s brand— spanking-new red barn, which took a year-and-a-half to construct. Teledale Farms is one of only five dairy opera- tions in Durham Region which has gone robotic. The neighbouring Snoddon farm also boasts milking robots. Changing the way they do business as “ a learning curve,” Ted described. Simply put, it works like this: When The Smith farm is one of the first in Durham Region to install robotic milkers. the cows feel ready to be milked, they step up to the machine. It automatically Graham says that it only took the cows three days to catch on to the washes off their udders, and then the new system. Sometimes a cow motivated by the treat will line up for teet cups latch on. The milk is pumped _ milking, but it’s too soon, and then a computerized voice will inform her into an adjacent storage vat. Then the that it is not time yet! cow is rewarded with a sweet pellet The system works on laser sensors, which read the computerized treat. Please turn to page 42 Re-elect Councillor, Ward Five 20 Year Scugog Resident Proven Senior Management Decisive Leadership Extensive Government and Business Experience Full Time Commitment Visit my website: | www.reelecthowarddanson.ca FOCUS - OCTOBER 2014 41