"Moov feed pusher robot helps improve cow welfare"

Erwin Matthezing is delighted with his Moov feed pusher robot. The farmer from the northern Netherlands has been using the practical robot since the beginning of this year. Matthezing, 36, can no longer do without the robot, which takes a lot of work off his hands.

Born and bred in Assen, he previously relied on a pushing system which used two tractor tyres. This meant the feed was placed close to the herd of 190 cows by hand, but at night this work stopped. “And the very opposite is necessary,” says Matthezing. The feed pusher robot continues to operate throughout the night, which keeps the cows moving and gives each one the opportunity to eat. When fresh feed is available, a cow moves quickly. The result is a much more stable flow of cows to the milking robots, which improves milk yields.

Using a feed pusher robot also results in less feed being discarded. Matthezing is under the impression that the cows now eat more. The young farmer is therefore happy with his feed pusher robot. “The figures from the milking robots show that the cows simply visit it more often.

In fact, there was more activity in this regard right from the very first night with the feed pusher robot. In combination with the milking robots, which the cows are now more inclined to visit by themselves, I can honestly no longer do without it.”

A thing of the past

The ease of use is an important advantage, according to Matthezing. When he’s outside in the field, the livestock farmer no longer has to think about the task of pushing feed in the cowshed. The distracting issue of manually pushing feed is now a thing of the past. “This robot will pay for itself within a few years, but I don’t think I can say exactly when.”

The robot follows a fixed route 9 times every 24 hours. At the very beginning, the cows were curious and stepped backwards, but Matthezing says that everything was back to normal within 48 hours. “Whatever, they thought.” The diet of Matthezing’s better-filled cows can consist of silage, corn and wheat yeast concentrate. “Cows lower in the hierarchy can now also select good feed. The arrival of the feed pusher robot has improved equality within the herd.”

Matthezing is a firm believer in a market for the Moov feed pusher robot. “Cow welfare is becoming increasingly important from a social perspective, and the robot makes a positive contribution to this welfare. In any case, we’re increasingly noticing that the work involved in livestock farming is becoming easier. You get used to that very quickly.”