The revolution which Roger Kerr hath wrought

Robots are being used to milk a herd of cows in Canterbury and the farmer who owns them says they are much healthier.

Farmer and businessman Ryan Carr of Mayfield has four robots on his farm near Ashburton which allow the cows to decide when they want to be milked.

Mr Carr told Country Life that the robotic system also means cows can eat and move at their own pace.

He says that’s doing wonders for their health and they have a longer life expectancy.

Farm production has also improved and is 4% ahead of this time last year.

Mr Carr said each unit costs about $250,000.

Here is more, hat tip goes to Chris F. Masse.  You may recall that New Zealand’s market-oriented economic revolution led to a deregulation of agriculture and the elimination of most farm subsidies, and as a result the sector became more innovative.

Chris also sends along this E-Cat update, it is not something which I am able to evaluate but in expected value terms worthy of more than zero reporting, via David Price here is more from Wired.