By Katie Spring, Communications Manager
Nestled among the hills of Claremont, New Hampshire, MacGlaflin Farm has been milking cows for over 50 years.
Owned by Ed MacGlaflin and his son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Julie, MacGlaflin Farm tends to 435 milking cows that produce over 12 million pounds of milk annually for Agri-Mark Co-op.
With a team of 10 employees, they also raise all of their own calves and grow and harvest forages. Their deep commitment to their cows and the land keeps the MacGlaflins continually learning and looking for ways to leverage technology that can improve efficiency and animal health. Working alongside their veterinarian, Dr. Jadene Patch, the MacGlaflins identified a specific group of cows that could benefit from technological upgrades in their barn. In need of funding, they applied to a grant through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC).
With a successful application, the MacGlaflins were awarded $81,630 through the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant.
This grant funds a wide range of projects that prioritize long-term farm viability, climate resilience, and economic sustainability. The funding allowed the MacGlaflins to purchase and install two Lely Discovery 120 robotic manure collectors.
Their goal was to provide a consistently cleaner environment for their cows. They anticipated that would lead to stronger feet, reduced udder issues, and potentially improved milk production outcomes. They also anticipated decreased fuel usage and emissions by swapping their diesel-powered skid-steer for the electric robot.
The results were better than they expected.
The robots transformed what had been a twice-daily cleaning schedule to a consistent cleaning all day and night. Unlike scraping robots, these collectors use vacuum technology. This removes manure without pushing it into the cows’ feet and legs while cleaning. After the two robotic manure collectors were installed, the group of 150 milking cows saw marked improvements.
“Their walking, eating and drinking areas are much cleaner,” Jason reported. “Because of the drier footing and reduced manure, their bedding areas are also cleaner. Their hooves are no longer tracking manure into the sand bedding.”
The improved cleanliness also led to a significant impact on somatic cell counts. “Within a few days of installation our SCC’s went down more than we would’ve thought possible,” Jason said. The group of cows with the robotic manure collector now has somatic cell counts 50,000 to 80,000 lower than their other groups.
Another surprise benefit of the robots is their ability to collect small stones and rocks. The MacGlaflins occasionally find stones in the sand bedding that they purchase. The stones can lead to bruised hooves, abscesses, and lameness. “We knew the robots would collect manure but were surprised to see they also vacuum up any rocks along the way. We are already seeing reduced lameness amongst [this group of] cows. This will have a positive impact on their health and longevity for years to come,” Julie said.
The Importance of Grant Funding
The combination of low milk prices, high feed and fuel costs, and high interest rates made it difficult for the MacGlaflins to consider purchasing the robots on their own. Without grant funding, they said, this project wouldn’t have happened now. The grant not only allowed them to purchase the robots, but also led to cost savings. The farmers estimate they’ll reduce fuel usage by 1,954 gallons per year – a savings of over $8,000 annually.
Moving into 2025, the MacGlaflins look forward to sharing this technology through their annual open farm day, which will take place on July 12 from 11am to 2pm. They’ve already invited other farms to visit and see the robots in action.
“We believe that support from our local communities and beyond is the only way to create a viable future for the dairy industry,” said Julie. “Our intention is to use our farm to educate and excite the next generation.”
The 2025 Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant is now open for applications.
The application period is January 2 through February 20, 2025 at 2pm ET.
Eligible applicants can apply for $15,000 – $100,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match contribution. There are approximately $950,000 in total funds available.
Learn more on the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant page.
