Region

The county of Trøndelag is one of the most important regions for cattle and milk production in Norway (about 20% of the total milk production in Norway is produced in the region).

Trøndelag was chosen as the focus of this case study because it was the first region of Norway in which farmers began to adopt the novel technology of “milking robots”. Such robots have now become a well-established technology and almost 50% of all Norwegian dairy farmers have now implemented the technology during the last ten to twenty years.

Study focus

The introduction of milking robots is one of the most important technological developments in Norwegian agriculture. Installing a milking robot system often requires more than just the robot itself, but also the construction or modification of a barn that includes housing for the cows, feeding equipment, monitoring devices and mechanised cleaning facilities. 

Milking robots contribute to the increased efficiency, productivity and profitability of dairy farming.  They also provide a more flexible working environment for dairy farmers and their families.

Full report is available here.

Partner and responsible person contact

Ruralis- Institute for Rural and Regional Research

Gunn-Turid Kvam, gunn.turid.kvam@ruralis.no

Lessons learned

1. Agricultural policy in Norway has encouraged and stimulated farmers to increase production through investment in new technologies such as milking robots
2. The availability of advice on milking robots has changed over time. In the beginning, advice was only available from the robot suppliers. Now the sources of advice are much diverse including traditional farm advisers, the farmer cooperatives, bank and accounting companies – as well as other farmers
3. Where farmers have chosen not to adopt milking robots, it is not due to a lack of advice but mainly due to financial uncertainty and limited resources.