News > A Year of Savings with Innovative Energy Solutions – Robotic Milking System

A Year of Savings with Innovative Energy Solutions – Robotic Milking System

March 2023

Throughout 2023, Stearns Electric will be featuring residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural EnergyWise programs, rebates and other cost and energy saving features in our Year of Savings with Innovative Energy Solutions. In March we are featuring member Groetsch Dairy and the Robotic Milking System.

Member Interview

GROETSCH DAIRY
Member since 1989
Added Robotic Milking System in 2012

WHY DID YOU INSTALL A ROBOTIC MILKING SYSTEM?
We installed our system to alleviate the constant chore of traditional milking. There have been many benefits since we switched to robotic milking. For us, it’s given us more flexibility in our schedules. Our cows are now on their own schedule which allows us to better manage our herd. For the cows, they have such a better temperament, they are more mellow and their production has increased by about 20-25 pounds per day.

ARE THERE ANY INCONVENIENCES?
With the technology, we are on-call 24/7, but completing scheduled maintenance on the milkers helps reduce the need and still allows us more flexibility.

HOW MUCH DID YOU RECEIVE IN REBATES?
While we were early adopters in Central Minnesota in the robotic milking technology and received a small rebate when we installed our robotic equipment, Stearns Electric has since recognized the value in robotic automation and now has a handsome rebate program of $2,500 per robot* to compliment energy efficient milking technology.

HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE YOU SAVED?
The results are significantly lower costs per pound of milk. Smart technologies have led to minimal energy use and a reduction in compressed air and water consumption, leading to savings in electrical energy, water usage and wastewater storage/pumping. This all adds up to savings of money and time.

HOW MUCH ENERGY HAVE YOU SAVED?
We save energy with robotic milking alone, but installing the robotic milking equipment allowed us to add other technologies to help our herd. As a result of those additional upgrades, we now use more energy, but that energy is used more efficiently with a greater focus on animal health and comfort.

Robotic Milking System

The Agricultural Dairy Rebate is available to agricultural members who purchase and install a new robotic milking system. The robotic milking program provides a rebate* for dairies that install automated single stall milking unit(s). The milking process at the dairy site will use fully automated robotic milking station(s) in place of conventional systems.

REBATE REQUIREMENTS:

• Evaluation must be complete before funds will be issued.
• Members and vendors must submit itemized equipment invoices along with the rebate application and worksheet to the Cooperative.
• Rebates must be applied for within 12 months of invoice date.
• The Cooperative reserves the right to conduct random inspections of installations.
• Project must comply with all program specific rules and qualifications.
• The member is responsible for checking with the Cooperative to determine funding availability and to verify program parameters.

*The maximum rebate amount is limited to 25% of the equipment costs or $10,000, whichever is less. Based on project type, there are caps for each rebate.

Stearns Electric offers residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural rebates for our member-consumers. By upgrading to more efficient equipment and enrolling in our EnergyWise programs, you will save money and energy every month. Contact Stearns Electric at (800) 962-0655 for more information.

Click here to see the full March Innovative Energy Solutions feature.