It may be snowing outside, but dairy farmers know that some of their most valuable employees are still working inside. Robotic milking systems have allowed farmers to tend to other tasks, like snow removal on days that are less than ideal, while their cows continue producing milk for cheese and other products.

It is part of a growing trend, according to AgDaily, which estimates that 5% of dairy operations nationwide have robotic milking systems for their herds, covering about 1,000 dairy farms. These systems not only lend a helping hand in a tight labor market, but also collect data on each cow to ensure they are producing normally and staying healthy.

CVF Dairy owner Jason Staats says the family opted to go with robotic milking in 2024 as they found it hard and harder to find people to work at the farm, especially during the busy tourist season. Even though he admits that it does not keep him away from the barn, Staats says their robotic milking system allows them to lead a much more normal life than their parents, especially during busier times like winter blizzards, spring planting and fall harvest.

Staats says lowering the curtains in their climate-controlled barn, running its robotic feed push and using its water beds help keep their 400-plus-cow herd happy and healthy not just during the winter, but all year.