Suny Morrisville Receives $1.36 Million for Robotic Dairy Milkers

SUNY Morrisville’s dairy program will be getting new equipment that will help put its ag students on the cutting edge in the industry.

Through the advocacy of Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, SUNY Morrisville was awarded $1.36 million in congressionally directed spending in the appropriations bill signed by President Biden.

These funds will purchase three robotic milkers for the college’s Arnold J. Fisher Dairy Complex, a free-stall dairy facility and learning laboratory for students, which houses 185 milking cows, as well as an electronically enhanced milking parlor and a student-managed computer system.

“By integrating robotic milking technology, we are positioning our Arnold J. Fisher Dairy Complex as a leader in innovative and sustainable dairy practices,” said Tony Contento, dean of the School of Agriculture, Business & Technology.

Robotic milking is a voluntary milking system that allows cows to set their own milking schedule.

“These funds were extremely competitive and we are so grateful to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for working tirelessly to bring these funds to SUNY Morrisville so that our faculty and students can lead the way in the agriculture industry,” said SUNY Morrisville President David Rogers.

“Dairy is New York’s primary agricultural product and it’s critical that our future farmers get direct experience with the latest technology in the industry,” Gillibrand said. “I am proud to have secured this funding for SUNY Morrisville to purchase a robotic milking system so it can provide an enhanced student learning experience and increase efficiency and productivity at its dairy complex. As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, I have been and will continue to be a tireless advocate for New York’s dairy farmers.”

“I am proud to deliver this $1.36 million for SUNY Morrisville’s cutting-edge robotic dairy milker project,” Schumer said. “This award will help catalyze the development of transformative and innovative agricultural technology right here in the heart of Central New York and it will help Upstate New York’s Dairy industry to grow and prosper, ensuring our rural farmers can take on 21st century challenges and are prepared for the future of the industry.

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