Cows in a free-flow barn can move around the barn anytime, in any direction. Cows can enter the robot anytime it is empty. If the cow has milking permission, or milk access, the entrance gate will close behind her, and she will be held in the robot, fed, and milked. If the cow does not have milking permission, the exit gate will open and she will be allowed to leave the robot. When she leaves the robot, she can go to a free stall, feed bunk, waterer, or anywhere else in the pen. The primary motivation to come to the robot is the feed that is offered in the robot. The balance of nutrients, between the feed in the bunk and the feed in the robot, encourages the cow to go both places when she is hungry.
ADVANTAGES
Proponents of free-flow traffic point out that cows are free to move around the barn without restriction. The risk of cows spending too much time in the commitment pen is eliminated. Free-flow barns are simpler and generally less expensive than guided-flow barns because the selection gates and finger gates are not needed. It may be easier to adapt free-flow traffic to existing barns for retrofits. Early research suggested that it was possible to achieve higher production in free-flow barns as compared to guided flow but more recent experience indicates that similar levels of production are possible with either system.
DISADVANTAGES
Free-flow barns may use the robot less efficiently because cows that do not have milking permission have access to the robot. Free-flow barns flow best when the feed offered in the bunk is consistent. Careful adjustments must be made for weather related changes in dry matter content and dry matter intake. Forage changes such as new crops, or new bunkers or bags, should be made gradually and monitored carefully. In general, free flow barns require more fetching and more pellet feeding than guided flow barns.
WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU?
Choose free-flow traffic if you have excellent quality forages. The high rate of passage for these forages will result in more cow movement to the robot and the bunk. Free-flow is also a good choice if the footprint of your new, or retrofit, facility doesn’t lend itself well to a guided flow design. The extra pellets expected with free-flow traffic may fit in the budget better if a farm is already buying a significant portion of the grain and concentrate fed.
Learn more about the role of forage quality and measuring cow flow in the next Cow Corner newsletter. Subscribe for free at www.cow-corner.co.
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