Robot farmer financially much worse off

Although automatic milking is on the rise, the traditional way appears to be more financially attractive. This is apparent from research by accounting firm Alfa.

The accountancy firm has calculated that the balance for robot milking is €0,77 per 100 kilos lower than for traditional milking. In addition, the maintenance and energy costs in an automated company turn out to be higher. On an average dairy farm with an annual production of 1 million kilos, the additional costs amount to €9.700.

Take out income
When we compare the additional costs with the WUR's income estimate, they can be called considerable. Last year, the average income in dairy farming was €43.000, according to figures from Wageningen Economic Research. The calculated additional costs for robot milking then amount to 22% of the income.

According to Alfa, dairy farmers are increasingly installing a milking robot because more aspects influence the choice. Reference is made to labor reduction and relief.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is Head of Meat & Dairy at BoerenbusinessAt DCA Market Intelligence, he focuses on dairy, pork, and meat markets. He also monitors (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.