People | DairyNZ

In reviewing farm performance, identify what skills are needed to achieve the farm goals and provide training opportunities for staff.

There is a general misconception that with AMS, staff/labour will be surplus to requirement. In reality the major change is in the type of work and the flexibility around when this work is carried out.

Good work routines along with systems and procedures for the farm are critical to capture the labour benefits of an AMS system.

The skill level required to operate an AMS farm is different to that of a conventional system.

Have policies and manuals in place so that people working on the farm (i.e regular staff, contractors, tanker drivers) understand the systems in place and procedures to achieve them.

To help you set procedures and routines for your own farm, see the examples below:

Standard Operating Procedures

Examples of standard operating procedures on an AMS farm:

Checking Vacuum & Pulsation at Teat Cups Download PDF (115 kb) I Download Word Doc (710 kb)
Common Alarms Download PDF (22 kb) I Download Word Doc (83 kb)
Cup ACR Rope Refit Download PDF (414 kb) I Download Word Doc (253 kb)
Unblocking Foremilk Drain Download PDF (92 kb) I Download Word Doc (434 kb)

Daily Routines

Example of a daily routine on an AMS farm:

Daily Routines Proceedure Template Example Download PDF (25 kb) I Download Word Doc (66 kb)

Task:	*Mon*	*Tues*	*Wed*	*Thurs*	*Fri*	*Sat*	*Sun*
Check list of cows overdue for milking
Check Udder Health List
Check list of failed milkings
Separate cows for treatment (computer setting)
Check separated cows (from overnight)
Put details in computer and set milk to separation
THEN Treat cows
Record sick/lame cows on white board