Robot+™ is the easiest way to make genetic selection decisions by combining Milking Efficiency, Robot Behavior, Robot Conformation, and Udder Health traits into one index. Producers can easily and confidently focus on one performance-based index, suited for automated systems.

Robot+ is based on more than 15 million robotic milking visits. This extensive dataset is growing and provides real-world insight into how cows perform in automated systems. With Robot+, decisions are made with information derived from real robot data rather than assumptions or indirect indicators, making it the best tool for genetic selection.

A robot’s capacity is a common bottleneck. Animals with a high Robot+ index are built to make the robot more efficient. They optimize the time in the robot, allowing more cows to be milked and improving daily throughput. A dairy with Robot+ females can increase production without adding infrastructure, while reducing bottlenecks and increasing robot ROI.

Robot+ includes Semex's proprietary Milking Efficiency trait. These are animals that are the best at converting their time in the robot into milk. Milking faster relative to production levels, their shorter milking time improves robot availability throughout the day, supporting throughput and making the operation more efficient.

Robot Behavior identifies animals that are independently motivated to visit the robot. They require less intervention and fit naturally into automated management systems. This reduces disruptions to cow flow and supports a consistent robot utilization. Producers benefit from smoother daily operations and improved labor efficiency.

Labor remains one of the largest challenges on robotic dairy farms. By using Robot+, producers can reduce time spent fetching cows and managing traffic flow. These independent cows help employees focus on higher-value tasks, making labor more efficient and sustainable.

Robot+ emphasizes teat and udder traits focused on successful robotic attachment. Better udder conformation contributes to quicker, more accurate, and more consistent milking sessions. Reducing attachment challenges helps improve robot performance and cow experience. This will make for a smoother operation.

Udder health is key to long-term robot dairy profitability. Robot+ includes traits such as Somatic Cell Score and Mastitis Resistance, that supports healthier udders. Selection for milking speed often comes with a negative association in mastitis incidence and higher SCS. By including udder health in the Robot+ index, you can select for robot efficiency without udder health concerns.

Robot+ evaluations are available for all Semex Holstein, Jersey and Ayrshire sires and all Elevate-tested females. By identifying these genetics sooner, dairies can make confident replacement and mating decisions. This gives dairies the opportunity to improve herd performance generation after generation.

Robot+ connects genetic selection directly to measurable on-farm outcomes. Improvements in robot utilization, labor efficiency, cow flow, attachment success, and udder health all contribute to increased profitability. These genetic gains accumulate and compound over future generations. This provides dairies with a long-term strategy to maximize robotic investments.

Robot+ integrates with Semex’s myStrategy. Producers can incorporate robot performance into a customized myIndex™ and optimizations tailored to their herd goals. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, producers can balance Robot+ with other important traits such as production, fertility, longevity, health, and profitability. This flexibility ensures genetic progress in robotic efficiency aligns with the unique needs of each operation. Combining Robot+ with a customized breeding strategy, means producers can breed cows that not only excel in robotic systems but fit the herd’s individual environment and management goals.