Cooperation between research and the milking machine industry
2007
Schreier, F., Schweiz. Landmaschinen-Verband, Bern (Switzerland)
I am aware that direct contact between science and industry, or rather their development departments, is somewhat difficult, as in Switzerland milking systems are distributed by subsidiaries and importers. None of the milking machine brands represented in Switzerland have Swiss production or develop-ment departments. Despite this - or precisely for this reason - country-specific factors, if such there be, should and must find a place in the considerations of designers and developers. Basic research is one thing, the translation of knowledge into practice is another. In addition to subjects serving as a basis for much else, product-related studies are naturally of great importance, for example the effects of stripping, the impact of teat and udder health on milk yield. They help the industry not only to design their products correctly, but also to underpin practical utility. This can lead to increased income or yield per cow as well as improved labour efficiency. Added to this, of course, are recommendations for the correct, and hence successful, application of milk production as well as advice relating to guidelines on the installation and monitoring of milking systems. Milking System Installations and Servicing, the industry standard which came into force last year, can be regarded as a very good example of successful cooperation in this field. This came about not least thanks to the initiative of the ART Research Station in the person of Dr. Nosal. The interested parties involved other than the milking machine industry were milk producers and advisory services. It is to be hoped that our industry will benefit from the sound judgement of the politicians and admin-istrative bodies responsible and that milk, a basic foodstuff, will benefit from the resources needed to continue the work still to be done and to tackle new tasks with vigour.
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