Chamber Members See Robotic Milking in Action

(DALE REPKING DISPLAYS HIS ROBOTIC DAIRY TO COUNTY CHAMBER TOUR GUESTS)

BY JULIE STEPHENS, EFFINGHAM COUNTY FARM BUREAU MANAGER

"Agriculture and Commerce – Partnering for Progress" was the theme of the recent Business After Hours at the Dale and Lora Repking robotic dairy. Effingham County Farm Bureau (ECFB), with assistance from an Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Communications Grant, partnered with the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce to offer local business people an opportunity to tour the technologically advanced family farm.

A charter bus transported 30 participants from the Teutopolis banquet hall to the dairy farm. During the tour, attendees learned how technology plays a part in the Repking’s family business. Participants saw firsthand how robotic milkers work and learned how the dairy industry has changed over the years.

Participants also became educated about all the detailed information new robotic milker technology provides about each cow. Attendees learned about different types of feed and how important it is to closely monitor the nutrition of each cow in order to ensure a quality product.

Following the tour, Effingham County Chamber members were transported back to the banquet hall where everyone enjoyed a pork tenderloin or rib eye sandwich cooked by ECFB Board directors. Several attendees commented that they appreciated the opportunity to tour this local farm, talk to farmers and learn more about agriculture.