Livestock Equipment Technology

How BoviSync and Integrated Tech are Creating a 'Digital Nervous System' for Modern Dairies

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:04:36 GMT

Across the American landscape, a silent revolution is rewiring the 250-year legacy of the dairy farm, transforming traditional barns and pastures into a high-precision digital nervous system. For operations like Abel Dairy in Wisconsin and Lincoln Dairy in New York, the manual grit of the past has met the cloud-based logic of the future, ensuring data flows as freely as milk and every decision is backed by real-time intelligence.

As the United States approaches its 250^th anniversary, the story of dairy is shifting from one of just getting by to one of mastering the margin. At the heart of this evolution is the death of the data silo and the birth of integrated, cloud-based management.

Steve, Allen and Nate Abel

(BoviSync)

The Wisconsin Blueprint: Wiring for Growth

For Steve Abel, a sixth-generation farmer at Abel Dairy, maintaining a legacy isn’t about looking backward — it’s about wiring the farm for a future his son Nate will one day lead. Three years ago, the Abels made a high-stakes move, expanding from a 2,000-cow operation to a 4,500-cow powerhouse. This wasn’t just about adding stalls or pouring concrete; it was a structural pivot toward precision.

At the center of the Abel expansion is an 80-cow GEA rotary parlor, but the true engine of the farm is BoviSync. By adopting this cloud-based central hub, the Abels eliminated the lag that has plagued dairy management for decades.

(BoviSync)

“We moved away from traditional data silos,” Abel explains. “For years, dairies struggled with double entry — the tedious process of recording data in one system only to manually type it into another. At Abel Dairy, that era is over.

“BoviSync networks with our sort gates, our feed software and even our hoof-trimming chute,” he says.

This connectivity transforms manual chores into automated workflows. The Abels no longer rely on traditional veterinarian pregnancy checks that require manual recording. Instead, they use blood samples and scanners. The results are uploaded to the cloud and downloaded directly into BoviSync. Because the software is linked to the farm’s sort gates, the cows are automatically identified and directed to the appropriate pens without a human ever having to check a clipboard.

Abel Dairy

(BoviSync)

The New York Perspective: Multi-Site Mastery

Thirteen hundred miles to the east, Bryant Stuttle, the herd manager for Lincoln Dairy in Auburn, N.Y., is navigating a similar digital frontier. Stuttle, a fourth-generation dairy professional, manages a complex multi-site operation for owners Dan and Nate Osborne. The system includes the home farm, Lincoln Dairy, and two satellite facilities, Ridgecrest and Gemini.

For Lincoln Dairy, the move to BoviSync two years ago was driven by a singular, ambitious goal: going 100% paperless.

“We operate as one herd across multiple farms,” Stuttle says. “The challenge with traditional software was how it handled multi-site data. We needed a system where events were tied to the facility, not just the cow. If a cow gets bred at one site and moved to another, we need to know exactly where that event happened to track technician performance and facility success. BoviSync made that seamless.”

Before the switch, the morning routine was often a source of frustration.

“I can’t tell you how many times we’d walk in on a busy herd-check day and the server hadn’t refreshed or a command line error meant the lists weren’t right,” Stuttle recalls. “You’d lose two hours of your day circling back to restart. Now, the guys grab their phones and go. There’s a level of confidence that the day is set up for success before we even start.”

The Human Element Removed from the Environment

(BoviSync)

The digital evolution isn’t limited to cow records; it has extended into the very air the animals breathe. In Wisconsin, the Abels installed the Agrimesh system to control ventilation and sprinklers in their tunnel-ventilated free stall barns.

“We wanted something that took the people out of the equation,” Abel says. “We don’t want an employee having to remember to open a curtain or speed up a fan because it warmed up at 10 a.m.”

The system calculates temperature, humidity and negative pressure in real time, adjusting tunnel fans and curtains automatically. It is a level of environmental consistency that ensures the cows remain cool in the summer and the barns don’t freeze in the winter, all without human intervention.

Similarly, at Lincoln Dairy, technology like SenseHub (formaly known as SCR collars) provides a constant heartbeat for the herd. These collars monitor rumination and activity across all three sites, feeding data back into the central hub. When combined with SenseHub sort gates, the system allows Stuttle’s team to identify and treat sick cows before they even show physical symptoms.

“Our reproduction is phenomenal — the highest it’s ever been,” Stuttle says. “Our cull and death rates are the lowest they’ve ever been. When you perform at that level, it all spells profit for the bottom line.”

The Power of Compliance and ROI

For both operations, the return on investment for these technologies isn’t just found in labor savings — it’s found in compliance.

“If you’re going to sell me a technology, it needs to make my employees more consistent,” Abel asserts. This focus on compliance ensures every vaccine is given correctly and every hoof is trimmed on schedule. At Abel Dairy, even the hoof-trimming chute is wired. A tablet mounted to the chute allows for instant data entry, eliminating the data lag of paper records.

At Lincoln Dairy, the technology allowed the farm to reposition two full-time labor units to other areas of the farm that needed more attention.

“It’s not just about doing the job with fewer people; it’s about doing the job better,” Stuttle explains. “The guys love it. I joke with them about going back to clipboards, and they just look at me and say, ‘Please, no.’”

The Heifer Pipeline

The digital nervous system also extends far beyond the home acres. Both Abel Dairy and Lincoln Dairy use Kansas Dairy Development (KDD) to raise their heifers. This creates a unique data challenge: How do you track an animal that is a thousand miles away?

“With KDD still being on DairyComp and us being on BoviSync, it was a challenge,” Stuttle admits. “But the BoviSync team figured out a way to translate that data daily. Now, I have my KDD file right in my system. It’s like they’re speaking two different languages, but the software acts as the translator. I have the same access to the data as the people on the ground in Kansas.”

This level of transparency allows both farms to right-size their herds. By using sexed semen, they can precisely determine how many replacements they need and breed the rest of the herd to beef. This beef-on-dairy pivot has become a vital revenue stream, providing a hedge against milk price volatility.

Advice for the Modern Producer: Avoid the Data Drown

With so much information available, the risk of data exhaustion is real. Stuttle’s advice to other producers is to focus on what actually moves the needle.

“Data management is the biggest opportunity in the industry right now,” he says. “But you can get drowned in it. Every salesperson will tell you their metric is the one that matters. You have to figure out what matters to you and look at it consistently, month in and month out.”

At Lincoln Dairy, that means focusing on hundredweight sold, transition cow success and pregnancy rates. By centralizing this data, the management team can stop worrying about whether the technology is working and start focusing on managing the people and the cows.

(BoviSync)

Legacy Powered by Data

As these two dairies demonstrate, the center of gravity for U.S. dairy is shifting. It is moving away from the localized, fragmented models of the past toward a high-precision, integrated future.

The 250^th anniversary of American agriculture is a celebration of resilience, but for the Abels and the Osbornes, it is also a launchpad. By integrating every gadget, sensor and software into a cohesive digital nervous system, they are ensuring their farm legacies will thrive for decades to come.

In Eden, Wis., and Auburn, N.Y., the lights in the barn are still on. But today, they are powered by data, driven by compliance and managed with a level of brilliance our ancestors could only have dreamed of. The U.S. dairy farmer has evolved from a milk man into a protein integrator, and the digital revolution is just getting started.

Hidden Pneumonia in Calves: Why More Dairies Use Ultrasound to Catch Respiratory Disease Early

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:06:16 GMT

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains one of the most common and costly health challenges in preweaned dairy calves. The challenge is that many cases develop long before calves show visible symptoms.

“By the time calves show obvious clinical signs of respiratory disease, lung damage may already be present,” says Aerica Bjurstrom, regional dairy educator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “That’s why tools that help us detect pneumonia earlier can make a big difference in calf health and long-term performance.”

Traditional diagnosis relies on symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, or elevated temperature. But these signs often appear late in the disease process. In many cases, calves may look completely healthy while still carrying lung infections.

This form of illness, known as subclinical pneumonia, can reduce growth, feed efficiency and even future milk production.

“The lungs can really act as an indicator organ,” Bjurstrom explains. “Respiratory disease often reflects larger management challenges, such as poor colostrum intake, nutrition issues, or environmental stress.”

The Hidden Pneumonia Problem

Research has shown that pneumonia often develops days before visible symptoms appear.

“Ultrasound allows us to see what’s happening inside the lung tissue, even when the calf looks normal from the outside,” Bjurstrom says. “In many cases, pneumonia can be present for days before any clinical signs appear.”

Studies suggest that 50% to 80% of pneumonia cases may remain subclinical for 7 to 14 days before producers notice symptoms. That delay can allow lung damage to progress before treatment begins.

“Sometimes calves with severe pneumonia don’t show obvious symptoms,” Bjurstrom says. “But an ultrasound exam can reveal lung lesions that tell us the disease is already present.”

How Lung Ultrasound Works

Lung ultrasonography allows veterinarians to examine calf lungs in real time using portable ultrasound equipment.

A normal lung appears air-filled on the scan and produces horizontal white lines that move with each breath. These lines indicate healthy lung tissue.

Changes in the image can reveal early disease.

“Comet tails are bright vertical lines that extend down from the lung surface,” Bjurstrom says. “A few may be normal, but severe or diffuse comet tailing can suggest interstitial disease caused by fluid or inflammation within the lung.”

More advanced disease appears as lung consolidation, where portions of the lung fill with inflammatory material instead of air. On ultrasound, these areas appear as solid gray regions.

Veterinarians often use a 0 to 5 lung scoring system to evaluate severity.

“This scoring system helps identify disease before calves begin coughing or showing nasal discharge,” Bjurstrom says. “Early detection allows for earlier treatment and better outcomes.”

Dr. Ollivett demonstrates positioning for thoracic ultrasound scanning on a calf’s right lung.

(Denise Garlow, University of Wisconsin)

Why Early Detection Matters

Even when calves show no visible symptoms, lung damage can affect their long-term performance.

In one study of more than 600 Holstein heifers, calves with lung consolidation detected at weaning were less likely to become pregnant and more likely to leave the herd before first calving.

Another study found calves with significant lung lesions in the first eight weeks of life produced 1,155 pounds less milk during their first lactation.

“These findings highlight why early detection matters,” Bjurstrom says. “Subclinical disease can still influence growth, reproduction, and milk production later in life.”

Improving Treatment Outcomes

Early detection can also make treatment more effective.

“When pneumonia is caught earlier, treatment tends to work better,” Bjurstrom explains. “We’re able to intervene before the disease becomes severe and causes permanent lung damage.”

Ultrasound can also help veterinarians monitor recovery.

“That monitoring aspect is important,” she says. “It helps ensure calves are improving and reduces unnecessary retreatment.”

A Management Tool for Farms

Beyond diagnosis, lung ultrasound is increasingly used as a herd management tool.

“Ultrasound gives producers objective information about lung health,” Bjurstrom says. “That can help guide decisions about treatment, culling, or adjusting weaning timing for calves that may need more time to recover.”

Regular scanning can also reveal herd-level trends tied to management practices.

“When used consistently, ultrasound becomes a benchmarking tool,” Bjurstrom says. “It can help farms evaluate colostrum programs, ventilation, sanitation, and other factors that influence calf health.”

A Growing Tool in Calf Health Programs

Portable ultrasound units have become more accessible and easier to use, making them more common in calf health programs. With proper training, scanning a calf’s lungs typically takes less than a minute.

“The equipment requires an initial investment, but the information it provides can be incredibly valuable,” Bjurstrom says. “Earlier detection can lead to better management decisions, improved calf growth, and fewer losses.”

As dairy farms continue adopting more data-driven management practices, lung ultrasound is giving producers a new way to detect disease sooner and protect the long-term potential of their calves.

“Lung ultrasound helps us move beyond waiting for visible symptoms,” Bjurstrom says. “It allows producers and veterinarians to identify problems earlier and take action before long-term damage occurs.”

Meet the Texas Powerhouse Serving Dairy, Dad Jokes and Outfits

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:59:43 GMT

In the world of Texas dairy farming, names usually carry weight. They represent generations of land, thousands of head of cattle and a legacy of grit. But for Kyndra Brown, the name that sticks closest to home is “Peewee.”

It was a nickname given to her by her father because she was born the smallest and youngest of four daughters. To a stranger, the name might imply someone who stands on the sidelines. But to anyone who has seen Brown navigate a muddy pen in fashionable boots or manage a complex digital health suite for her herd, the name is a badge of irony. Brown is a passionate, witty powerhouse, and she is exactly what the future of American dairy looks like.

(Images provided by Kyndra Brown)

The Girl Dad Legacy

Brown is a fourth-generation dairy farmer, but her path back to the family operation in Texas wasn’t a straight line. Growing up as one of four girls, she was immersed in a world where gender roles simply didn’t exist.

“My dad never pressured us,” Brown recalls. “He wanted us to make the choice to be here.”

That choice was framed by a powerful example set by her parents. In an industry that is often viewed as male-dominated, Brown’s father, Joe Schouten, was a girl dad decades before the term became a social media trend. When fellow dairymen would joke about his lack of sons to help with the heavy lifting, he had a standard, fiery response: “I’ve got four girls who can do exactly what your boys can do — but they look better doing it.”

Brown’s mother, Debbie, was equally influential. A woman who married into the dairy life without a farming background, she quickly became the heartbeat of the operation. Brown’s mother scraped stalls with one baby on her hip, proving the dairy doesn’t care about your title — it cares about the work.

(Photos provided by Kyndra Brown)

The Psychology of the Parlor

Like many farm kids, Brown hit a point in her late teens where she wondered if there was more to life than the 2:00 AM alarm and the constant smell of silage. She left the farm to study psychology, fascinated by human behavior and emotion. For two years, she immersed herself in the “why” of people.

But the call of the land is a physical one.

“I went back to what I know,” she says. “And it was the family dairy.”

For eight years straight after school, Brown didn’t just manage; she labored. She milked, she pushed cows and she cleaned pens. In an era where people struggle to hit 10,000 steps a day, Brown was regularly clocking 22,000 steps before lunch. That season of physical intensity was her true education. It gave her the boots on the ground perspective no textbook could provide.

Today, that background in psychology serves her in ways she never expected. Whether she’s managing employees, navigating family dynamics or communicating with concerned consumers on social media, she understands the human element behind the milk check.

This unique blend of mental insight and physical endurance has shaped her philosophy on the industry: resilience is more than a trait — it’s a prerequisite for growth. Brown has learned the dairy industry’s most valuable lessons are often disguised as failures, turning every challenge into a stepping stone for refinement. By embracing the struggle rather than fearing it, she maintains a competitive edge that keeps her operation moving forward. As she puts it, “Setbacks only exist to move you further than the next person who is trying less.”

(Images provided by Kyndra Brown)

Old School Grit Meets New School Tech

The Moo View Dairy operation in Dublin, Texas, is currently a fascinating study in the dairy margin revolution, so to speak. Brown sits at the intersection of her father’s old school wisdom and the industry’s technological future.

Her father still operates with a pen and a notebook.

“Actually, hundreds of them,” Brown shares, noting he has a paper record of every cow, every calf and every health event stretching back 30 years. “‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is his mantra.”

Brown respects that history, but as an elite operator, she knows data is the key to the modern margin. She has introduced activity monitoring systems like CowManager tags.

“Technology is a great side kick,” Brown explains. “It fills the gaps. It tells me if a cow’s temperature is rising before I can see it with my own eyes.”

She also adds she will never overlook boots-on-the-ground value.

“I want to see it, smell it and hear it for myself,” she says.

(Images provided by Kyndra Brown)

Starbucks Partnership & Sustainability

This commitment to the future recently led Moo View Dairy into a high-level sustainability partnership with Starbucks. By prioritizing cow comfort and resource recycling — specifically repurposing lagoon water for flush systems and manure for crop nutrients — Brown is ensuring the operation remains as efficient as it is productive.

In May 2025, the farm qualified for tier two of the Starbucks Sustainable Dairy Program. This achievement unlocked a cost-share initiative currently being used to install advanced sand and manure separators. Slated to be fully operational by September, these systems represent a significant leap in waste management. The project will allow the dairy to recycle all sand used for cow bedding and modernize their recycled water flush system for cleaning freestalls and pens, creating a closed-loop system that bolsters both the environment and the bottom line.

(Images provided by Kyndra Brown)

Fashionable in Manure:

Perhaps Brown’s most visible impact is through her social media presence and her seat on the Dairy MAX board. She is intentionally “fashionable in manure,” a phrase that sounds like a joke but carries a serious message.

“I get comments all the time underestimating me because of my outfit,” she says with a laugh. “Since when does an outfit determine my capability to show up?”

By documenting her life on YouTube and Instagram, Brown is bridging the gap between grocery store and the dairy farm, or ‘teat to table’ as she likes to call it. She shows the 2:00 a.m. wake-up calls, the extensive labor that goes into cow care and the sophisticated science of milk production. With her approach to providing education and entertainment, she isn’t trying to sell a product; she’s trying to enlighten a consumer base that has become disconnected from its food source.

Her message to the next generation of women in agriculture is simple: “When in doubt, lead.”

“If you have an opportunity for experience, take it. If you have a question, ask it. It’s not a competition,” she says. “It’s teamwork for humanity to help feed the world. There are plenty of things we have to do alone in life; learning from each other in the world of agriculture shouldn’t be one of them.”

(Images provided by Kyndra Brown)

Full-Circle Life Moment

Now in her early 30s, with a husband, Cody, who has since joined the family dairy operation, and their four-year-old son, Brown’s life has come full circle.

“It’s a lifestyle you have to see to appreciate,” she says. “It’s hard to express that to people who just see it as a job. For us, it’s a partnership between the animals and the land.”

Kyndra Brown may always be “Peewee” to her father, but she has firmly established herself as a female dairy farmer who has made a name for herself on her own terms. She serves as a living reminder that the “Made in the USA” label is far more than a geographic marker; it is a testament to the people who possess the courage to evolve, the grit to work and the unique style to make the hardest days look effortless. By blending her family’s deep-rooted legacy with a modern, innovative vision, she isn’t just maintaining a dairy — she is building a durable future for the next generation.

The Eye in the Sky: Why Computer Vision is the Next Great Leap for Dairy Management

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:02:15 GMT

For decades, the gold standard of dairy management was the keen eye of a seasoned herdsman. It was the ability to walk a pen and instinctively know which cow was beginning to favor a foot or which one had dropped a few pounds of body condition. But as herds have grown considerably over the last decade, that human eye has been stretched to its limit.

Enter the era of computer vision (CV).

As Jeffrey Bewley, executive director of genetic programs and innovation at Holstein USA, recently shared at the High Plains Dairy Conference in Amarillo, Texas, the dairy industry is on the cusp of a visual revolution. It is a shift from reactive management to a world where the eye in the sky never sleeps, never tires and — thanks to a decade of breakthroughs in artificial intelligence — is becoming more accurate than the humans it assists.

The ChatGPT of the Barn

To understand why camera technology is exploding now, we have to look outside the barn. Most of us have experimented with ChatGPT, the AI that can write a poem or summarize a legal brief in seconds. As Bewley points out, the engine powering ChatGPT is the same engine now powering the best computer vision systems on dairies.

“Every dollar invested in ChatGPT-style AI lifts all AI — including farm vision,” Bewley says.

The massive global investment in AI (projected at $200 billion in 2025) has created a tidal wave effect. It has made high-powered hardware cheaper, algorithms smarter and a talent pipeline of researchers available to solve agricultural problems.

In 2012, a breakthrough called AlexNet proved deep neural networks could “see” with human-level accuracy. By 2015, a system called YOLO (You Only Look Once) allowed cameras to detect and classify multiple objects in real-time, even in the chaotic, low-light conditions of a dairy barn. Today, that technology isn’t just a university prototype; it’s a commercial reality.

From Geometry to Gold: Body Condition Scoring

One of the most immediate wins for computer vision is body condition scoring (BCS). Traditionally, BCS is subjective and infrequent. One person’s 3.0 is another person’s 2.75.

A variety of camera systems use 3D depth sensors to measure the “geometry” of a cow. By analyzing the angles of the posterior hooks and the spring of the ribs, these systems estimate BCS automatically every time a cow walks under the lens.

The ROI is staggering. Bewley highlights research showing 3D cameras can return 200% to 500% annually, costing roughly $1 per cow per month. This is because the camera detects a downward trend in condition two to three weeks earlier than the human eye. In the high-stakes world of transition cow management, those three weeks are the difference between a simple ration adjustment and a clinical case of ketosis.

The Gait Keeper: Early Lameness Detection

If BCS is about geometry, lameness detection is about symmetry. Tech systems use pose estimation to track landmarks on a cow’s body as she walks. The AI analyzes gait symmetry frame-by-frame, assigning a locomotion score based on how the animal moves.

In a traditional setup, a cow is often only treated once she is visibly “three-legged lame.” By then, the loss in milk production and the cost of treatment have already taken a bite out of the bottom line. Computer vision flags the asymmetric walker long before she becomes the lame walker, allowing for early intervention and significantly higher recovery rates.

Rib-Arrow Dairy in Tulare, Calif., has implemented the Nedap SmartSight vision technology.

“A lame cow used to be something you could see — she was limping,” Ribeiro says. “But the camera showed us we have problems with feet long before there is a limp. It’s like wearing the same running shoes for a year on concrete. That subclinical pressure on the joints, ankles and knees starts a decline we can’t visually pick up until it’s too late.”

The impact is most visible in first-lactation animals. These bulletproof heifers often hide discomfort, but the vision tech caught the subtle crooked gait that leads to chronic issues. At the start of the program, lameness prevalence in first-lactation cows was 6%. Today, overall and severe lameness rates have been slashed to just 2% — one-third of what they were.

Beyond the Cow: Management Visibility

The power of the camera doesn’t stop at the animal’s hide. Computer vision is now being used to monitor the environment that surrounds the cow:

Feed Availability: Cameras can determine exactly when feed events happen and, more importantly, when the bunk is empty, sending alerts to the feeder in real-time.
Bird Detection: Innovative systems use AI cameras paired with guided laser beams to detect and deter birds, protecting feed quality without the use of chemicals or loud noises.
Employee Safety & SOPs: In the parlor, cameras can monitor for missed post-dip events or track phone time, ensuring the farm’s standard operating procedures are being followed when the owner isn’t looking.

The Pitfalls: It’s Not All Plug-and-Play

Despite the promise, Bewley is quick to offer a reality check.

“Camera systems are not plug-and-play,” he warns.

The marketing brochure rarely mentions the physical problems that plague dairy tech: manure splatter, dust, ammonia corrosion and the rural broadband problem.

A single 4K camera stream requires 10 to 20 Mbps of bandwidth. Many rural farms struggle to get 25 Mbps for the entire office. To solve this, the industry is moving toward edge computing — where the thinking happens on the camera itself, only sending a small alert to the cloud — and the adoption of Starlink to bridge the connectivity gap.

There is also the garbage in, garbage out factor. An AI trained on clean, perfectly lit university cows will often fail when faced with a sand-bedded freestall barn full of shadows and dirty coats. Success requires models trained on real-farm data.

The Human Factor: Your Team is the Technology

Perhaps the most critical takeaway from Bewley’s insights is that the best camera system in the world is worthless if nobody acts on the data.

“The #1 predictor of precision technology success on farms isn’t the technology. It’s the people using it,” he says, noting every successful system needs a champion (someone who owns the data), a skeptic (to ensure the alerts are accurate) and a responder (someone with a clear SOP to fix the problem the camera flagged).

The Big Question: Should You Invest?

So, is it time to hang cameras in your barn? Bewley breaks it down into three categories:

Invest Now: If you have a specific, quantifiable problem (like high lameness rates) and reliable internet.
Invest Soon: If you are planning a renovation. It is 50% cheaper to build camera infrastructure into a new project than to retrofit an old one.
Wait & Watch: If your internet is unreliable or your team isn’t yet comfortable using data to drive daily decisions. Focus on wearables first.

The Bottom Line

Computer vision is no longer a someday technology. It is happening now. As labor becomes scarcer and the margin for error in dairy production becomes thinner, the ability to see every cow, every minute of every day, will become the baseline for the modern dairy.

“Technology should serve the animal and never lose sight of the cow,” Bewley exclaims.

The transition to computer vision doesn’t mark the end of the traditional herdsman; rather, it represents the evolution of the craft. By augmenting human intuition with digital precision, producers can finally reclaim the individual attention that large-scale operations often struggle to maintain. As the industry moves forward, the competitive edge will belong to those who can bridge the gap between the barn and the byte. Ultimately, while the engine of the dairy may be changing, the mission remains the same: providing the best possible care for the cow, one frame at a time.

Could Lasers Help Keep Birds Out of the Feedbunk?

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 21:09:49 GMT

Where there’s feed on the farm, birds usually follow. These nuisance pests aren’t only an eyesore, but they can cause real damage in terms of feed loss and biosecurity risk.

For pigeons, starlings and sparrows, grain piles, commodity bays and feedbunks quickly become an all-you-can-eat buffet. In fact, a flock of 10,000 birds can consume up to 500 lb. of feed daily. While these critters certainly aren’t a new problem for dairies, a newer technology has emerged that may offer another way to manage bird pressure. And the interesting part? It involves laser beams.

A New Approach to Bird Control

The system, developed by iChase, uses cameras to identify birds in the area. Once a bird has been spotted, a green laser beam slowly sweeps across the ground, walls or feedbunk to spook the bird away. Because poultry rely heavily on their eyesight, the moving laser looks to them like something solid getting closer. Their instinct is to fly away from it.

According to the company, the system can be installed above feedbunks or mounted on farm structures to help discourage birds from gathering. As the laser repeatedly moves through the same spaces, birds begin to view the area as unpredictable and uncomfortable. Eventually, many avoid the area altogether.

The idea is similar to other deterrents producers have tried over the years, but the constantly moving light is designed to be harder for birds to get used to. Traditional approaches like predator decoys and reflective tape can work at first, but birds often adapt once they realize the threat isn’t real.

Another feature that helps the technology stand out is coverage. iChase states that a single unit can cover a large area, which may make it useful in places like silage bunkers or commodity barns where birds tend to gather.

Interest in the technology has also grown outside of dairy. Airports and warehouses have also used laser deterrents to reduce birds in sensitive areas. As the equipment becomes more available, agricultre companies are starting to explore how it might fit into other livestock operations as well. As farms continue looking for practical ways to protect feed and maintain cleaner facilities, tools like these are starting to draw interest.

Targeted Reproductive Management: Taking Calf Creation to the Next Level

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:26:36 GMT

Within the lifetimes of many current U.S. dairy producers, artificial insemination (AI), sexed semen, embryo transfer (ETU), ovum pick-up (OPU), and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) all have evolved to enhance dairy cattle reproduction.

Now, individual-cow monitoring technology is being used to drive the next wave of dairy reproductive improvement: Targeted Reproductive Management (TRM).

Dr. Glaucio Lopes, who leads the monitoring success team for Merck Animal Health, USA, , explained that TRM leverages individual-cow data that detects estrus activity to more selectively and effectively implement hormone-driven estrus synchronization protocols.

Using activity monitoring tools like SenseHub® Dairy, one example of TRM stratifies cows into two groups early in lactation: those that expressed a strong, spontaneous estrus cycle before the end of voluntary waiting period (VWP), and those that did not. If they did not, they are enrolled immediately in a fertility program like Double Ovsynch that includes timed artificial insemination at the end. If they did, they are assumed to be more naturally fertile, and are allowed more time to be bred upon observation of another heat cycle. If that doesn’t happen within a prescribed number of days, they too are then enrolled in a synchronization program.

In short, TRM provides more time for cows that expressed early lactation natural estrus before beginning hormone-based synchronization, and less to those that did not – essentially targeted the use of manual synchronization and timed insemination on cows that need it most.

Lopes said one TRM study showed researchers were able to decrease the overall use of reproductive hormones by 57%. At the same time, the likelihood of pregnancy at 305 days in milk was increased in second-lactation and older cows that did not show strong signs of estrus early postpartum.

Enrolling fewer cows in hormone-based breeding programs not only lowers drug costs and saves on labor, but also creates fewer physical disruptions. More cows are allowed to carry out their natural behaviors of eating, drinking, and resting without spending time in headlocks.

Researchers at the University of Florida put the principles of TRM to the test in two north-central Florida Holstein herds, the results of which were recently published in the Journal of Dairy Science . Dr. Ricardo Chebel and his team evaluated 539 first-calf heifers and 941 second-lactation and older cows.

The more mature cows were assigned a VWP of 40-41 days in milk, while the first-calf heifers had a VWP of 54-55 days in milk. Half of the animals in each age group were treated as a control group and enrolled in Double Ovsynch regardless of estrus behavior. This occurred at 68-69 days in milk for the older cows and 82-83 days for the first-calf heifers.

In the TRM group, older cows that had expressed estrus within the VWP were inseminated upon detected estrus starting at 50 days in milk, and first-calf heifers starting at 64 days in milk. If they had not been detected in estrus during the VWP, they were enrolled in Double Ovsynch at the same time as their corresponding parity in the control groups.

Re-insemination of open cows in the control group was based on visual or patch-aided estrus detection, while TRM cows were re-inseminated based on activity monitor feedback for estrus activity. This resulted in the open TRM animals being re-inseminated more quickly.

Among the results: more cows from the TRM group eventually calved and started a new lactation compared to the controls (82.6% versus 77.2%), and fewer of them were sold (15.5% versus 20.8%). The TRM cows also used an average of just 4.5 doses of reproductive hormones, compared to about 10.1 doses for the control cows.

Chebel noted that in this particular experiment, TRM improved gross profit per cow by $108 per head compared to the control animals. He said factors that contributed to that figure included improved pregnancy success – regardless of parity -- that changed culling dynamics; fewer cow sales that led to reduced replacement costs; and increased calf value created by the ability to target strategic semen selection toward the most fertile cycles.

The Top Three Biggest Mistakes When Using Crowd Gates

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Crowd gates are often one of the most used tools on a dairy. Not only do they save significant time for employees, but they also help reduce the stress associated with moving cows.

However, just like any tool, crowd gates can be used incorrectly and can sometimes negatively impact cow comfort and welfare. Carolina Pinzon, a Dairy Outreach Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, highlights the three most common mistakes she sees in crowd gate usage and provides practical strategies to avoid them.

Overcrowding the Holding Area

Occasionally, overcrowding the holding area happens, but Pinzon warns that prolonged overcrowding can negatively impact cow health, production, and welfare. This is especially concerning during summer when cows generate extra body heat and require sufficient airflow.

“Signs of an overcrowded holding pen include cows with their heads up, unable to plant their four feet on the ground, and looking restless and uncomfortable,” Pinzon says. “Short-term overcrowding can also result from misuse of the crowd gate, by employees pushing it too far forward and smashing the cows.”

To prevent overcrowding, Pinzon recommends balancing parlor and pen sizes, so cows spend no more than one hour away from their pens during each milking. Holding areas should allow at least 20 square feet per cow.

“If needed, a large pen can be divided into smaller groups,” Pinzon suggests. “While this means more trips to the parlor for workers, it significantly reduces the time cows spend in the holding pen. Additionally, short-term overcrowding can be alleviated by moving the crowd gate backward to provide more space for the cows.”

Being Careless

While dairy cows are typically gentle giants, they can be stubborn and slow to move. This, however, doesn’t justify using force. Moving crowd gates too quickly or applying electricity can cause unnecessary stress and fear for the animals.
Instead, Pinzon emphasizes the importance of calm and gentle handling. She advises guiding cows to the parlor without pressure or haste.

“Once the cows on one side of the parlor have exited, the crowd gate can be moved forward,” Pinzon says. “This regular adjustment is crucial to accommodate the changing number of animals and available space in the holding area. Automating crowd gates to move forward every time exit gates are open/lift can help reduce misuse.”

Pinzon recommends keeping crowd gates at least three feet from the cows to avoid pressing against their backs. She suggests using sound cues, like bells or ringing, to train cows to move forward, rather than relying solely on gate movement. If the gate gets too close, pull it back to give the cows more space before resuming forward movement. These practices promote a stress-free and productive environment for both cows and workers.

Workers Entering the Holding Area

Crowd gates are valuable tools for safely and efficiently moving cows toward the parlor entrance. However, when employees enter the holding pen to push cows, it can create unnecessary stress for the animals and put workers at risk of injury.

Pinzon highlights the importance of regularly training employees on proper cow handling and the correct use of crowd gates. She stresses avoiding the practice of entering the holding area to chase cows and instead maintaining a calm and consistent environment for the animals.

“Except for when loading the last cows of a pen and fresh cows, the door from the parlor pit to the holding area should remain closed during most of the milking process,” she adds. “This physical reminder is to discourage workers from entering the holding area. In addition, regular maintenance of crowd gates, prompt reporting of issues, and swift resolution of problems by management are crucial for proper gate function.”

Spotting these three common mistakes in crowd gate use and taking proactive steps to address them can significantly improve cow welfare, employee safety, and your herd’s operational efficiency. Regular maintenance, clear protocols, and proper training go a long way in preventing overcrowding and keeping things calm and stress-free for both cows and workers.

How AI Is Learning to Read Dairy Herd Data

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:24:58 GMT

What if a computer could predict which cows will go lame, how long a cow should stay in the herd or what a cow will be milking 220 days from now? Those possibilities are becoming a reality as artificial intelligence begins to move into everyday dairy management.

During a session at the Professional Dairy Producers conference, Jeffrey Bewley, dairy analytics and innovation scientist at Holstein Association USA , peeled back the curtain on how AI is already being used on farms and where the technology may be headed next. From predicting lameness to analyzing herd records in seconds, AI is revealing both the possibilities and the limits of this rapidly evolving technology.

Turning Farm Data into Predictions

At its core, AI relies on data. This machine learning system analyzes data points to identify patterns that can help predict future outcomes. On dairy operations, that ability to recognize patterns can turn everyday information into real management insights.

Bewley points to lameness detection as one example. The process begins by collecting thousands of videos of cows walking and labeling them according to whether the animal is lame or sound. As the system learns from those examples, it begins to recognize subtle differences in gait that signal lameness.

“It doesn’t know what a lame cow or not lame cow is unless somebody tells it,” Bewley explains.

Because the system has to learn what lameness looks like, extensive training is required before it can be used effectively. Over time, that training allows the system to flag cows that may be developing problems before they are visibly noticeable.

Lactation curves are another example. While the industry often uses a standard curve, every cow produces differently and every herd has its own patterns. Bewley explains how AI can study these differences and use them to predict how much milk each cow is likely to produce in the future.

“We could be able to predict what that animal will be milking 220 days from now,” he says.

That type of forecasting could influence future breeding strategies. If a cow is predicted to maintain high production late into lactation, a producer might hold off on breeding her. If production is expected to drop, then getting the cow pregnant sooner may make more sense. This information could help determine how long a cow should remain in the herd. By evaluating production, reproduction and health trends together, these predictive models could forecast when it makes economic sense to retain or cull a cow.

Experimenting With AI Tools

While there’s plenty of buzz about AI’s future, the technology is already showing up in everyday herd‑data applications. Bewley says it can scan monthly DHI reports and spot trends earlier. When he tried it on a herd summary report, the system kicked out a full KPI dashboard in seconds. While he notes the results aren’t always perfect, he says they offer quick, useful angles for herd management.

“It wasn’t that long ago where probably a quarter of my time was spent pulling up herd records and doing something like this,” Bewley laughs. “AI did it in a matter of seconds.”

He adds AI is not limited to just text-based analysis. Many of the tools farmers use every day actually has AI built into it. Activity monitors are a prime example. When the technology first appeared more than a decade ago, it felt futuristic to many producers, similar to how AI feels today.

“In 2008, wearable sensors looked like science fiction to a lot of people, but it was a new technology that was coming on board,” Bewley says. “Today, that same dairyman would tell you, ‘I don’t know how I ever managed my cows without my wearable technology.’”

Learning to Work With AI

As more AI tools become available, learning how to interact with them effectively will become even more important.

The quality of the output often depends on how questions to the system are asked. Providing detailed information creates more relevant responses.

“Instead of saying, ‘Tell me about mastitis,’ say, ‘I have a 500-cow herd and my somatic cell counts are going up; help me with a mastitis prevention protocol specifically for fresh cows,’” Bewley says.

At the same time, users need to remain cautious. AI can occasionally generate incorrect information while presenting it with confidence.

“It’s like your friend that thinks it knows everything,” Bewley says. “It can make some things up sometimes. Don’t take everything it says as right.”

For that reason, Bewely says AI should be viewed as a tool to assist decision-making rather than as a source for final answers. He adds farmers still need to verify information, question unexpected results and rely on their own management experience.

The Next Phase of Farm Technology

Looking ahead, Bewley expects AI to become easier and more natural for farms to use.

“We’re not going to have to go in and plug in complicated sets of codes,” he says. “We’re just going to say it into our phone, and it’s going to give you the list.”

At the same time, advancements in robotics are accelerating. Together, these technologies could further automate routine work while improving the speed and accuracy of management decisions.

Despite the excitement surrounding AI, Bewley emphasizes the technology will not replace the role of farmers.

“It’s a tool. You still make the decisions,” he says. “Artificial intelligence will never replace good stockmanship. It can’t replace relationships. It can’t be compassionate. It can’t replace your farm knowledge.”

Instead, AI will likely become another tool in the dairy management toolbox, helping producers analyze data faster, identify problems sooner and evaluate management options more efficiently.

Does AI Have a Place on the Dairy Farm?

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:04:00 GMT

If you read the title and thought, of course, Artificial Insemination has a place on the dairy farm, you’re not alone. To me, the acronym AI still means Artificial Insemination. However, for those outside of animal agriculture, AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. With the increasing use of technology on dairy farms, the “new” AI has become more relevant.

The Use of Technologies on Farms

In 2016, the dairy industry hosted one of its first conferences on data management. Since the American Dairy Science Association Discover Conference on Big Data, adoption of technologies in the industry has continued to grow. Data surveys indicate that around 70% of US dairy farmers use some type of precision automated technology on their farms.

With advancements in technology, managing and interpreting data has become more difficult. The increase in data and the technologies’ inability to interact with each other have been major barriers to adoption. Managing data and making more informed decisions are where AI could play a role on the dairy farm.

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence is the ability of computer systems to perform complex tasks. One branch of AI is machine learning. Computer models that use machine learning learn from data and become more accurate as they are exposed to more information. Machine learning models analyze data to identify patterns and make predictions.

How is AI Being Used?

Artificial intelligence is used both within individual technologies and across multiple systems to help develop more user-friendly data reports. One area where machine learning is applied is in creating health alerts. Technologies that measure multiple parameters (e.g., activity and rumination) have been able to detect diseases more quickly. In one case, a system that integrated technology data successfully identified mastitis cases five milkings before the cow showed clinical signs. The ongoing development of these models can allow farms to detect diseases faster, produce more accurate milk quality reports, improve reproductive management, and increase feed efficiency.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Though technology data has proven to be beneficial in the daily operations of the dairy farm, some issues still need to be addressed. One of the top concerns for dairy farmers is data ownership. Stronger, more transparent frameworks are needed for data contracts with technology companies. Another issue is the need for a more educated workforce. The industry requires professionals who understand both animal science and data science skills to maximize the benefits of the technologies available.

Fighting Mastitis with the Help of Robots and Smart Technology

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:20:26 GMT

Mastitis remains one of the most costly and persistent health challenges facing dairy farms today, whether cows are milked in a parlor or by robots. In 2024, mastitis was estimated to cost the U.S. dairy industry more than $13 billion annually through lost milk, treatment costs and discarded milk.

As robotic milking systems become more common, new sensors and monitoring tools are helping detect milk quality problems earlier than ever. Even with these technological advances, the core principles of mastitis control remain the same. According to Douglas Reinemann and Carolina Pinzón-Sánchez of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, good hygiene, careful monitoring and timely intervention still form the foundation of effective mastitis management.

Clean Cows Still Matter Most

No matter where cows are milked, prevention still begins with cleanliness. In automated milking systems, that means ensuring the robot can properly clean and attach to the udder each time a cow enters the box.

“The cleanliness of the udder when the cow enters the robot has a big influence on how well that preparation process works,” Reinemann says.

Milking preparation is a critical step. Proper stimulation helps trigger milk letdown and allows teat cups to attach quickly and correctly. While premilking sanitation steps vary by robot brand, the goal is the same across systems: The robot must attach the milking unit to clean, dry and well-stimulated teats.

Postmilking teat disinfection is equally important. After milking, the teat canal remains temporarily open, leaving the udder more vulnerable to infection. Applying teat disinfectant helps remove bacteria from the teat skin and reduces the risk of new intramammary infections.

Routine equipment maintenance also plays a major role in mastitis prevention. Checking the accuracy of cleaning and sanitation cycles helps ensure the robot is properly preparing teats before milking.

“Equipment maintenance is nonnegotiable,” Pinzón-Sánchez says. “Milking systems must be serviced and tested regularly per manufacturer guidelines. Monitoring the accuracy of pre- and postmilking sanitation cycles ensures effective cleaning and prevents bacterial spread.”

How Robots Detect Mastitis Earlier

While mastitis prevention principles remain largely the same, detection looks different in robotic systems.

In conventional parlors, trained employees serve as the first line of defense. Those hands-on observations allow workers to quickly spot abnormal milk or signs of udder inflammation. But in automated milking systems, technology takes on that monitoring role.

Robots rely on sensors and algorithms to track milk quality and cow behavior. When the system detects patterns that deviate from normal, it generates an alert that a cow may be experiencing mastitis.

Automated milking system sensors commonly monitor:

Electrical conductivity of milk.
Milk color and composition changes.
Somatic cell count (SCC).
Quarter-level milk yield.
Cow visit frequency to the robot.

“These systems are very good at detecting abnormalities,” Reinemann says. “Sensor data can often identify subtle changes before clinical signs become obvious.”

Additional monitoring tools also help catch potential problems earlier. Activity monitors worn on collars, legs or ear tags track how cows move throughout the day. When a cow becomes less active or her behavior starts to change, it can be an early sign that something isn’t right. Often, these shifts show up before obvious symptoms appear, giving producers more time to take a closer look and respond if needed.

How to Interpret Alerts

Even with all the high-tech monitoring tools in an automated milking system, interpreting data the robots provide isn’t always straightforward. To make sense of what the sensors are telling you, Reinemann and Pinzón-Sánchez explain that it helps to understand two key concepts: sensitivity and specificity.

According to the pair, sensitivity refers to the system’s ability to correctly identify cows that truly have mastitis. A highly sensitive system detects most sick animals but may flag more healthy cows as potential cases.

Specificity, on the other hand, reflects how well the system identifies healthy cows. High specificity reduces false alarms but may miss some infected animals.

“No system is perfect,” Pinzón-Sánchez explains. “Increasing sensitivity can increase false positives, while increasing specificity can lead to missed cases.”

Fortunately, many automated systems allow producers to adjust these settings depending on herd conditions. When mastitis risk is elevated, increasing sensitivity may help catch more true cases. During periods of stable milk quality, higher specificity can reduce unnecessary alerts.

What to Do When the Robot Flags a Cow

Despite how capable automated systems have become, Reinemann and Pinzón-Sánchez emphasize that technology should support, not replace, human decision‑making. When the robot flags a cow, producers should:

Review the system alert and cow history.
Visually evaluate milk for abnormalities.
Palpate the udder for swelling or heat.
Take the cow’s temperature if illness is suspected.
Divert abnormal milk from the bulk tank.
Collect aseptic milk samples for culture or PCR testing.
Use cow-side tests such as the California Mastitis Test (CMT).
Consult a veterinarian before initiating treatment.

Blending Management with Technology

Despite the technology, successful mastitis control still comes down to good management. Robots can flag changes and catch potential problems earlier, but producers must still evaluate cows and make treatment decisions.

“These systems are excellent at detecting abnormalities, but they can’t diagnose diseases or recommend treatments,” Reinemann says.

He and Pinzón-Sánchez stress that successful mastitis management still relies on the basics: watching cows closely, keeping consistent routines and working with a veterinarian on prevention and treatment plans. When technology and good herd management work together, mastitis problems can often be addressed before they become serious.

For more on mastitis, check out:

From Risk to Revolution: McCarty Family Farms Named 2025 Leader in Technology Award Winner

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:12:54 GMT

On the open plains of western Kansas, where the horizon stretches wide and the wind almost never stops, sits a dairy operation built on grit, risk and the belief that bold decisions can change everything. Today, McCarty Family Farms is known across the industry for its scale and cutting-edge innovation, but its story starts 1,500 miles away in a tie-stall barn in northeastern Pennsylvania.

“We’re fourth-generation family dairymen, originally born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania,” says Ken McCarty, one of the four brothers who own and operate McCarty Family Farms.

For more than a century, the family milked cows in the Northeast. But in the late 1990s, their parents made a decision that would redefine the family’s future: sell nearly everything, load what they could haul and move halfway across the country to Kansas.

“All that credit is due to our parents,” Ken says. “They have a big vision, and they have some serious intestinal fortitude. My brothers and I talk about this often, and we’re not sure we would have that faith and that courage at that age — to risk it all, pick our families up, move 1,500 miles and bet it all on us. Thankfully, it works out so far.”

In 1999, the family sold just over 200 cows and their equipment to head West. The brothers say they arrived somewhat naive, and that may have been their saving grace.

“When we left Pennsylvania, we sold 212 milking cows and just our equipment,” says Clay McCarty, one of the brothers who owns and operates the farm today. “We came out here a little naive, which is good. We’re so convinced we succeed that we don’t know how to fail. And that’s good, because the first five to seven years, we’re one mistake away from failure — probably closer to extinction than we ever realize.”

Building a Culture of Commitment

Despite long days, tight margins and constant uncertainty, the McCartys found support in the people who took the leap with them.

“We’re just determined we’re not going to fail,” Clay says. “We’re very fortunate. A lot of our guys who start with us in 2000 are still with us in 2025. We’re able to create a culture early where guys are willing to sacrifice — and they see us sacrificing, working 20-hour days.”

(McCarty Family Farms)

A Second Big Leap: Processing Their Own Milk

In 2012, the McCartys took another bold step and built their own milk processing plant — a move nearly as risky as the family’s relocation.

“In 2012, when we start that, we have no idea how to run a milk processing plant,” Ken says. “But we believe it’s the right thing to do for our partnership with our customer, the right thing for our farm and our family — and thankfully, it works out.”

The plant, built in partnership with Danone North America, allows the family to add value to their milk and reach markets far beyond Kansas. The McCartys have four dairy farms today, and Danone says McCarty Family Farms’ partnership is vital, supplying milk that helps churn out Danone’s yogurts and other products.

The relationship between McCarty’s and Danone is also a model for Danone’s farmer partnerships and involves initiatives to improve sustainability, such as water conservation and soil health projects.

(McCarty Family Farms)

Innovation as a Way of Life

Since establishing their operation in Kansas, McCarty Family Farms has grown to milk around 20,000 cows across multiple states and now employs nearly 250 team members. But what truly sets the operation apart is how deeply the family embraces technology, not as a trend but as a necessity.

“When it comes to technology, we don’t jump into anything lightly,” Ken says. “We spend a lot of time vetting technology, working with industry experts, people smarter than us. And we’re always searching for technologies that can fill a gap in our business.”

Those gaps — labor shortages, market competition, demands for traceability, animal welfare and sustainability — are pushing the family to innovate continually.

“As labor becomes a bigger challenge, as markets become more competitive, as demand for increased traceability or enhanced animal welfare or optimized sustainability grows, all of that forces us to look for innovation,” Ken says. “A lot of that comes through technology, whether it’s genetic evaluations, breeding strategies based on genomics, methane capture or feed additives that reduce enteric emissions and drive down our carbon footprint.”

Ken says the ability to collect granular, cow-specific data and then act on it is fueling the operation today, and the next frontier is already in sight.

“I think a few things are really going to push our farms and our business to the next level,” Ken says. “Machine learning and artificial intelligence — using those tools to create predictive analytics and tell us what’s going to happen to a cow before it happens — and robotics. Our farms run 24/7/365 in a diminishing labor pool. Robotics allow us to keep scaling and run our farms how we want, when we want, and turn labor into a more fixed cost.”

Looking Ahead: Water and Labor Still Loom Large

For all the technological gains, two challenges remain front and center.

“Front of mind in northwest Kansas is water,” Clay says. “It’s Kansas, Nebraska, Texas — this whole Ogallala Aquifer. How we manage that moving forward massively affects how our operations run. And if you look across the nation, the big bear in the room is labor. It’s hard to get, and there’s a lot of noise around immigration.”

A Fifth Generation Steps In

Still, the McCartys remain optimistic in part because the fifth generation is already stepping into the operation, tech-savvy and ready for the challenges ahead.

“We’re trying to bring back the fifth generation,” Clay says. “We’re a pretty young group. Ken’s in his early 40s, so there’s a lot of life left in us. We’re going to have to continue to diversify and be innovative and adopt the technologies that come our way.”

(McCarty Family Farms)

A Family That Redefined What a Dairy Can Be

From a small Pennsylvania barn to a high-tech dairy powerhouse on the High Plains, the McCarty family doesn’t just operate a dairy; they redefine the possibilities of modern milk production. They blend tradition with technology, risk with resilience, and vision with action.

For their continued leadership and groundbreaking commitment to innovation, McCarty Family Farms is the 2025 Milk Business Conference Leader in Technology Award winner.

New Tool Helps Guide Calf Nutrition Decisions

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Even with everything we’ve learned about calf nutrition, building the best possible plan for an individual farm is still an arduous task that is dependent on many factors.

Recognizing the need for a streamlined process in determining what and how much to feed calves, researchers at the University of Vermont have developed the “CalfSim” tool.

In a summary of the tool in the Journal of Dairy Science , lead developer Dr. Joao Costa described CalfSim as “a free, user-friendly decision support tool designed to simulate and optimize feeding plans for dairy calves.”

Using input data that calf raisers can easily collect, CalfSim allows users to explore the “what ifs” of various program changes, and how those nutritional strategies can be predicted to affect both rearing costs and calf performance outcomes.

The tool is based on equations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) 2021 Nutritional Requirements of Dairy Cattle. Adaptations were made for predicting energy-allowable growth and solid feed intake under varying conditions.

The simple format of CalfSim is divided into 3 fundamental areas: (1) animal, management, environment and liquid diet inputs; (2) starter composition; and (3) scenarios for milk allowance plans. Scenarios are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. While the base program is developed using the international metric system, the English version also offers the option of delivering results using imperial (U.S. system) data.

The developers note that CalfSim cannot thoroughly incorporate every detail of a farm’s calf program. Variances in factors like disease incidence, housing, environmental stress, and genetics can affect the ultimate outcomes of any calf nutrition program. However, the differential between CalfSim predictions and actual outcomes can be a valuable investigative tool in determining which outside factors may have contributed to a shortfall in achieving CalfSim projections.

Data from 27 published and non-published studies guided the developers in building the CalfSim tool’s framework and evaluating its outcomes. Body weight gain predictions obtained with CalfSim were found to be accurate in comparison to published literature, highlighting the tool’s reliability and precision.

Costa said CalfSim is an easily accessible, web-based decision support tool that allows for virtual testing of different scenarios, management strategies, and nutritional plans. He added that it helps minimize risk and enhance decision-making before actually implementing a feeding program change.

The CalfSim tool is available free of charge on the Costa Lab page of the University of Vermont website .

Robotic Milking Success: It’s More About the Management Than the Technology

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 12:38:37 GMT

If you ask five different farmers what success with robotic milking looks like, you’ll likely get at least four different answers. Achieving that success looks different for everyone too: a different permission setting here, a routine change there, or re-grouping pens by age or stage of lactation. Yet, many of these steps trace back to one thing: overall management of the farm.

Al Dornacker milks around 350 cows in six Lely Astronaut A5s in south-central Wisconsin. Throughout the hot summer months, his herd has maintained production of 99 lb. per cow. Dornacker says many factors contribute to this, including cow comfort in the new barn.

“They seem to handle the heat better, and we lose very little reproduction over the summer,” he says.

(John Gerbitz)

Dornacker attributes reproductive success, and subsequent high production, to genetic indexing with the robots.

“We wanted to know, how can we keep the best udders under the cow? Which ones do you keep, cull, which ones are good cows?” he says. “So we got an index that was made to take her robot traits: how much she kicks, how fast she milks, her components and production. And that tells us whether to use sexed semen, regular semen or breed her to angus.”

It was John Gerbitz of Cow Corner robotic dairy consulting, who created the index. As part of his work with Cow Corner, Gerbitz also completed a cash flow budget to help Dornacker decide whether to continue milking in both the parlor and five robots or to add a sixth robot.

One idea he presented was to shut down the parlor and slightly overstock the robot barn but maintain milking with five robots. The analysis proved this would cash flow better in the short term, but based on long-term goals, the decision was ultimately made to both shut down the parlor and add the sixth robot.

“Labor efficiency has improved tremendously, and overall production has gone up,” Dornacker says. “Was it a good stepping stone, and would I do it that way again? Yes, but probably over a year and a half and not four-and-a-half years.”

Dornacker shares another piece of his strategy that has both added profitability and truly enabled him to be more flexible with his time.

“Keep a well-organized inventory of spare parts so that you can fix it yourself and don’t need to hire the guy to come out every time,” he says. “The downtime is what kills your production average.”

Tune In To Your Herd

Kristin Quist, Herd Manager of Minglewood Inc. in northwestern Wisconsin, has also enlisted Cow Corner to enhance the management efforts of her family’s 1,200-cow dairy.

“I think the robots have allowed some of our better cows to meet thresholds that we couldn’t meet in our old facility, but also in the robot facility, there’s a lot more cow comfort built in,” Quist says. “We’re six, seven years in, and still finding protocols that work better for us every day.”

Minglewood milks with eight DeLaval VMS Classic robots complemented by a parlor. An open mind for changes and improvements has empowered a lot of progress — even on the older model of robots.

(DeLaval)

“You need to be in tune with your herd but also not scared to go out there and try for that little bit more,” she says. “Our goal at the end of the day is that we’re always evolving and always striving to do better.”

Recently, Quist says they’ve been adjusting milking permissions more often.

“You might think you have your milking permissions set where they need to be, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to be looking at them constantly and adjusting and making sure you’re meeting your cows where they’re at.”

Quist has also been dialing in on incompletes.

“Because we have classic robots, at certain days in milk we need to retrain our cows with the robot,” she says. “Since we started doing that, incompletes have been better and so have mastitis cases, just because we’re taking the time to reteach as the cow changes.”

Kristin Quist says adjusting the robot settings and protocols is still necessary but brings better results.

(DeLaval)

“As long as they can get in and get milked the way they need to be, they’re going to do their thing,” Quist adds. “And I honestly don’t want to know who they are. If I do, that typically means they are a problem cow.”

And that’s one way Gerbitz supports robotic dairies behind the scenes.

“I’m able to check on settings for individual cows so they don’t have to,” he says. “If I see something that will prevent the cow from being milked in the best way possible, I can take care of that for them right away.”

What Gerbitz sees on one farm often helps him tune into opportunities on another.

“I get to see things on so many different farms and see them more closely just by checking data and having weekly conversations with the farmer,” he says.

“Everything impacts how robots perform: forage quality, reproduction, transition cow health and cow comfort,” Gerbitz adds. “All brands of robots are capable of milking cows efficiently. Managers who pay attention to detail and take care of the fundamentals of milk production will be successful with either robots or parlor milking.”

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The Next Frontier of Cow Nutrition is Encapsulated

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:31:16 GMT

Consumption trends are driving the milk industry like never before: weight loss drugs (e.g. Ozempic), body building supplements, diets for the elderly and the need to maintain muscle mass post-60 years of age in an aging population. A proactively engaged consumer (prosumer) is demanding a diversity of food options, environmental concerns, animal welfare and ethnic diets. The influence of social media on consumption is pervasive on food shelves at supermarkets and convenience stores. Visiting a grocery store in a large city is more like a safari, a mixture of entertainment and storytelling, than about the actual nutritional needs of the consumer.

Milk processors have struggled to keep up, and the milk shelves have never been full of a more diverse range of options. Low-fat, high-protein, flavored, live-cultures, nutrient enriched milks. The range of cheese, yogurt, ice-cream labels would challenge the average recent graduate of the food science programs of our best universities. So what can dairy producers do?

1) Genetics
The recent and dramatic advances in reported milk components in the U.S. dairy herd has been nothing short of extraordinary. The CoBank reports the 2024 U.S. butterfat levels reached 4.23% and proteins now at 3.29%, a record by historical standards, have been driven by better genetic selection, particularly in Holsteins, and feeding and managing those genetics for optimal performance. It is reasonable to expect further improvements in bovine genetics will continue these trends over the coming decade.

2) Feeding for milk components
Traditionally, nutritionists have used least-cost feed formulation software to achieve the most cost-effective milk production. Often, decisions were taken based on single ingredient digestibility and not on how a diet affects rumen fermentation, ruminal biomass and the absorption of those nutrients in the lower gastrointestinal tract. The use of bypass proteins and anionic salts have shown what is possible when ingredients can avoid degradation by rumen microorganisms. The use of yeast cultures is another approach, enhancing rumen fermentation of fibers, and acidity (pH) to produce more microbial protein and eventually increasing milk components.

3) Precision feeding for milk components
The last 10 years have seen an explosion in the use of encapsulated ingredients to bypass the rumen, allowing this concept to go from niche to mainstream. The most obvious example of this has been Adisseo’s Smartamine & Meta-Smart, and protected forms of methionine are now said to be used in over 70% of the top-producing dairy herds. As one New York dairy farmer said to me: “When my nutritionist forgets to put it in the feed, I see the changes in the milk tanks within days.” Globally, another dozen companies have entered the fray.

The new leaders are all looking beyond methionine to a range of nutrients that both increase milk production, milk components and intestinal health. Balchem (Lysine, Choline), Jefo (B-Vitamins, essential oils), ADM, Kemin, Alltech (non-protein nitrogen) are just some of those leading in this field. The excitement of using microencapsulation is that it allows these feed ingredients to bypass rumen degradation, effectively turning the ruminant into a monogastric, in other words feeding a cow as though she were a pig.

A demonstration of the scale of excitement around how encapsulation is seen as a game changer is that Jefo recently opened a new $100 million factory in Canada just to meet the needs of their North American customers, focused on delivering combinations of ingredients (Matrix technology) to improve cow health, productivity and fertility.

So what’s next? As always artificial intelligence will most likely increase the pace of change in our cow’s nutrition. Understanding how to influence the ruminal microbiota through nutrition, more precisely and in real time will move science forward. Traditional rumen models such as the artificial rumen simulation systems (e.g. Rusitec), predictive models such as the Cornell CPCPS Model and INRA Systali (PDI) in Europe, are being supplanted by AI based systems. Equally using sensors in the rumen (digital boluses, smaXtec) and in-line and individual cow milk sensors (Labby, SomaDetect), will give farmers the ability to see the benefits of delivering nutrition in real time. Feeding precisely means in the right place, in the right form, at the right time. Already Canadian farmers have reported dramatic benefits of encapsulating all of the micro-nutrients fed to their cows in a single delivery, on milk components, somatic cells and fertility. This will undoubtedly be the future, reimagining all aspects of feeding cows.

When it comes to nutrition, it’s like Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz: We’re not in Kansas anymore!

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The Next Frontier of Cow Nutrition is Encapsulated

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Consumption trends are driving the milk industry like never before. Weight loss drugs, body building supplements, diets for the elderly and the need to maintain muscle mass in an aging population. A proactively engaged consumer (Prosumer) is demanding a diversity of food options to match environmental concerns, animal welfare, ethnic diets, etc. The influence of social media on consumption is pervasive on the food shelves of supermarkets and convenience stores. Visiting a grocery store in a large city is more like a safari — a mixture of entertainment and storytelling — than about the actual nutritional needs of the consumer.

Milk processors have struggled to keep up, and the milk shelves have never been fuller of a more diverse range of options. The range of cheese, yogurt and ice-cream labels would challenge the average recent graduate of the food science programs of our best Universities.

What can dairy producers do?

1. Genetics: The recent and dramatic advances in reported milk components in the U.S. dairy herd has been nothing short of extraordinary. Cobank reports the 2024 U.S. butterfat levels reached 4.23%, and proteins are now at 3.29% — a record by historical standards. This has been driven by better genetic selection, particularly in Holsteins, and feeding and managing those genetics for optimal performance. It is reasonable to expect further improvements in bovine genetics will continue these trends over the coming decade.

2. Feeding for milk components: Traditionally, nutritionists have used least-cost feed formulation software in order to achieve the most cost-effective milk production. Often decisions were taken based on single ingredient digestibility and not on how a diet affects rumen fermentation, ruminal biomass or the absorption of those nutrients in the lower gastrointestinal tract. The use of bypass proteins and anionic salts have shown what is possible when ingredients can avoid degradation by rumen micro-organisms. The use of yeast cultures is another approach, enhancing rumen fermentation of fibers and acidity (pH) to produce more microbial protein, and eventually increased milk components.

3. Precision feeding for milk components: The last 10 years have seen an explosion in the use of encapsulated ingredients to bypass the rumen, allowing this concept to go from niche to mainstream. The most obvious example of this has been Adisseo’s Smartamine & Meta-Smart, and protected forms of methionine are now said to be used in over 70% of the top-producing dairy herds. As one New York dairy farmer said to me, “When my nutritionist forgets to put it in the feed, I see the changes in the milk tanks within days.”

Globally, another dozen companies have entered the fray. The new leaders are all looking beyond methionine to a range of nutrients that both increase milk production, milk components and intestinal health. Balchem (Lysine, Choline), Jefo (B-Vitamins, essential oils), ADM, Kemin, Alltech (nonprotein nitrogen) are just some of those leading in this field. The excitement of using microencapsulation is that it allows these feed ingredients to bypass rumen degradation, effectively turning the ruminant into a monogastric. In other words, feeding a cow as though she was a pig.

A demonstration of the scale of excitement around how encapsulation is seen as a game changer is that Jefo recently opened a new $100 million factory in Canada just to meet the needs of their North American customers — focused on delivering combinations of ingredients (Matrix technology) to improve cow health, productivity and fertility.

What’s next?

Artificial intelligence will most likely increase the pace of change in our cow’s nutrition. Understanding how to influence the ruminal microbiota through nutrition, more precisely and in real time, will move science forward. Traditional rumen models such as the artificial rumen simulation systems (e.g. Rusitec), predictive models such as the Cornell CPCPS Model and INRA Systali (PDI) in Europe, are being supplanted by AI-based systems. Equally using sensors in the rumen (digital boluses, Smaxtec) and in-line and individual cow milk sensors (Labby, SomaDetect), will give farmers the ability to see the benefits of delivering nutrition in real time. Feeding precisely means in the right place, in the right form, at the right time. Already Canadian farmers have reported dramatic benefits of encapsulating all of the micronutrients fed to their cows in a single delivery, on milk components, somatic cells and fertility. This will undoubtedly be the future: reimagining all aspects of feeding cows.

When it comes to nutrition, it’s like Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz: “We aren’t in Kansas, anymore!”

Do Trained Heifers Really Perform Better With Robots?

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:17:48 GMT

A new study has found that giving heifers a little practice time with an automated milking system (AMS) before calving can significantly improve how quickly they adapt during the first few weeks of lactation.

The transition to a robot can be a stressful experience for heifers who must not only learn to become a cow but also figure out how to navigate and use an unfamiliar milking system. Researchers from the University of Guelph recently set out to test whether structured precalving training could smooth the transition for first-lactation cows into robotic milking.

The study involved 30 pregnant Holstein heifers, enrolled about three weeks before their expected calving date. To keep results consistent, the animals were paired according to due date and randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The control group received no exposure to the AMS before calving, while the training group participated in a four-day familiarization program.

For the training, heifers were brought into the AMS pen approximately two weeks before their actual calving date. Over the four days, they experienced three short training sessions per day. These sessions introduced them to the robot, the feed concentrate available during milking and the mechanical arm and operational noises of the AMS. The goal was to remove as many “first-time” stressors as possible before actual milking began.

Once the heifers calved in individual maternity pens, both groups were moved between three and seven days in milk, to a free-traffic AMS pen. Here, cows could voluntarily visit the milking unit or be fetched if they did not enter within a certain time. A fetch pen, located near the AMS entrance, held cows that needed to be brought in.

For the next 21 days, researchers monitored milking activity, cow behavior and milk production. They recorded the number of visits to the AMS, voluntary milkings, fetch events and time spent in the fetch pen. They also assessed “ease of entry” into the machine, milk letdown and kicking behavior during the first six milkings across the first two days in the AMS.

At the conclusion of the study, it was clear that the heifers who got some practice time in were better prepared for robotic milking. These animals had a significantly better ease-of-entry score and better milk-letdown scores compared with untrained heifers. Trained heifers were also more willing to enter the machine and let their milk flow without hesitation.

Milking frequency saw an increase compared to the untrained animals as well. Over the 21-day period, trained heifers averaged 6.1 total visits to the AMS per day, compared with 5.0 for the control group. When looking at voluntary visits, the trained group averaged 5.6 per day, compared with just 4.2 for untrained heifers. They also had slightly more voluntary milkings, averaging 2.6 per day versus 2.2 for controls.

This higher level of voluntary engagement translated into less time and labor spent fetching cows. Untrained heifers averaged one fetch per day and spent 18.7 minutes per day in the fetch pen. Trained heifers averaged only 0.8 fetches per day and 14.6 minutes in the fetch pen.

Trained heifers also stood out for producing more milk. On average, first-lactation animals in the rehearsed group yielded 72.3 lb. per day during the study, about 4.9 lb. more than the untrained group’s 67.3 lb. Researchers noted that this early advantage can carry through the entire lactation, leading to greater overall productivity and profitability compared to their non-trained counterparts.

Even though heifers without training can still adjust to the AMS, the researchers believe the improved adaptation and performance in the trained group stem from reduced novelty and stress. Getting familiar with the sights, sounds and movements of the machine before calving helped them feel more comfortable when it was time to start milking.

For farms using robotic milking, spending a little time familiarizing heifers with the system before their first milking could make the transition to the AMS smoother and give first-lactation cows a jump-start to their early milk production.

Transform Your Tradition: How Alfalawn Dairy Embraces Smart Technology

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:08:23 GMT

Alfalawn Dairy, nestled in Menomonie, Wis., has been a family-run operation for five generations. Today, siblings Ben Styer and Krista Anderson are involved in the operation, working alongside their father, Dave, and herdsman, Deric Wolf, to steer the farm into an era of technological innovation while honoring their rich agricultural legacy. By adopting smart technology, they’ve not only modernized their operations but also reinforced their commitment to efficiency, sustainability and animal welfare.

A Family Legacy with Modern Ambitions
Since 2015, the sibling duo has expanded their operations dramatically — growing from 450 cows into a bustling dairy farm that supports 2,300 milking cows along with another 2,300 dry cows and young stock. On their 4,000 acres of crop land, they cultivate an array of feed including corn silage, soybeans and alfalfa. All corn silage ground gets planted into a rye cover crop after harvest.

One of the pivotal advancements at Alfalawn Dairy has been the installation of two Nedap sort gates. The siblings share these gates have revolutionized their herd management, allowing for efficient sorting and processing of cows.

Alfalawn Dairy

(NEDAP)

“Monday mornings used to be hectic with administering shots and pregnancy checking, but now sorting the cows is seamless,” the pair say, noting how these gates save the farm significant time and labor throughout the week. “One of the biggest pluses of having the sort gates is that we can cut down on the lock up time for the cows at the barn.”

Alfalawn now has a section of the headlocks at the beginning of each pen to lock up anywhere from five cows to 60 cows if needed. The rest of the pen is neck rail.

“We use that pretty much every day of the week for herd management including breeding cows,” Ben shares.

Herdsman, Deric Wolf

(NEDAP)

Alfalawn Dairy has also implemented the Alta CowWatch system powered by Nedap, boosting their pregnancy rate from about 27% to a consistent 37%. By identifying heats more accurately, they’ve refined their breeding protocols, moving away from dependency on double OvSynch protocols. This has allowed them to reduce headlock usage in the milking herd tremendously. The Nedap activity collars placed on heifers ahead of calving remain with them for life, enhancing monitoring and productivity.

Alfalawn Dairy

(NEDAP)

Streamlined Operations
To further optimize milk production, Alfalawn installed a 60-stall DeLaval rotary in 2015, accompanied by pre- and post-dippers. This upgrade reduced their labor costs by approximately $2 per cwt.

“The efficiency of the rotary allows us to milk more cows in less time,” the siblings explain. Originally built with an eye for milking 1,800 cows, it now comfortably handles their expanded herd of 2,300.

The farm still conducts monthly DHI testing for gathering components and SCC data. They have also used Dairy Comp for the last 25 years and love the ease of the Pocket Cow Card app.

Sustainability at the Forefront
Alfalawn Dairy shares they prioritize sustainability alongside productivity. With a sand reclaiming system that recovers up to 98% of their sand, they maintain an impressive somatic cell count around 100,000. This system not only cuts down material costs but also underscores their environmental responsibility. The farm’s use of water recycling systems aligns with their vision for sustainable dairy farming.

Alfalawn Dairy

(NEDAP)

“We have found we use significantly less sand now than before we put the reclamation system in. With 450 cows, we used to use about 16 truckloads a month. Now, with 2300 cows, we use about six to 10 loads every three to four months,” they share.

Cow Comfort and Welfare
At the core of Alfalawn’s operations is a focus on animal welfare. In October 2023, Alfalawn built a special needs barn to improve cow comfort. It features a new foot trim area designed to enhance cow flow and reduce stress. The integration of rubber flooring in high-traffic areas further supports cow health, leading to fewer injuries and greater overall well-being.

Dave emphasizes the importance of hoof health — a testament to the farm’s commitment to continual improvement.

“We’ve then made the decision to incorporate mats in the holding pen area,” he says, noting that the 1.5" of rubber had cows ‘jumping up and down’.

Dave says with the cows liking it so much, they decided to extend the rubber flooring to the whole holding pen area along with some of the exit lanes.

“We saw increased hoof health and decided to increase the flooring in high traffic area, including where the cows exit the parlor,” he shares, noting they also incorporate sawdust-bedded pack in certain areas to prevent slipping.

“The combination of doing that reduced our foot abscess nearly to nothing,” he says. “We trim feet once per week and hardly put on any blocks,” Dave says.

Under the Styer family’s guidance, Alfalawn Dairy exemplifies the blend of tradition and technology that is driving agriculture into the future. With smart solutions, sustainable practices, and a focus on animal welfare, they are cultivating not just a successful farm, but a legacy poised for generations to come.

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Transitioning Your Farm Into the Digital Age: Saying Yes to Innovation and Tech

The Legacy and Innovation of Lumar Dairy: Blending Tradition with Future Growth

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:15:25 GMT

In the heart of central California lies Lumar Dairy, a testament to the extraordinary journey of a family that turned sheer determination into a thriving agricultural enterprise. Founded in the late 1960s by a group of dedicated brothers from the Borba family, Lumar Dairy has grown from its humble beginnings. Louie Borba, an essential part of this legacy, recounts the story of hard work, innovation and generational shifts that have shaped their success.

A Family’s Dairy Dream
Borba’s father and two uncles began their American story like many immigrants, working tirelessly on farms despite language barriers and financial constraints. Emigrating from the Azores in pursuit of the American dream, the Borbas dreams materialized with the purchase of their first 35 cows and the rental of a small facility. By the late 70s, they had expanded to a larger farm, eventually building a new dairy facility in the mid-80’s.

As the family expanded, so did their business acumen. In the 90s, recognizing the need for individual growth and more specialized operations, the Borba family amicably split their venture into separate dairies, leading to the creation of Lumar Dairy in 1994, which Borba’s father managed and owned, until he eventually took over.

The Next Generation
Borba’s journey within this family business was almost predestined. Growing up as the only son among three sisters on the family dairy, his path was clear.

“It was always in my DNA,” he proudly says. His upbringing and the values imparted by his father and uncles — an unwavering commitment to family, faith and cows — provided a solid foundation for the dairy’s continued success.

“Hard work pays off,” he says, noting that was the key factor in the previous generation’s success.

Much like his parents’ generation, Borba and his wife find joy in raising their children on a family dairy. Their children participate in 4-H and sports but also head to the dairy to spend time learning from their father.

Borba and all of his cousins are continuing their father’s legacies.

“We still all get along,” he says. “I don’t have any brothers, so they’re like my older brothers, and we talk all the time and have a tight relationship.”

Borba is proud to say he is a cow guy, noting that he is still heavily involved in the day-to-day work on the farm, overseeing herdsman responsibilities, such as herd health vet checks.

Lumar uses a 70-30 ratio of beef to sexed semen usage on the milking herd, as Borba shares they are in growth mode.

“We are trying to recover from bad calf feeders,” he says. “I know how many heifers I need a month, and we’re exceeding that, and they’re staying alive.”

With incorporating SenseHub Dairy Youngstock [monitoring system] with the calves and increasing sexed semen usage, Borba plans to grow 300 cows this year and another 300 the following year, on their way to 2,400 head milking.

When it comes to technology, Borba’s were one of the first in their area to build a carousel parlor.

“Dad was all about technology and genetic gains,” he says. “We always used good bulls. We’ve bred AI forever, so he was always open to using new technology.”

(Merck Animal Health)

Embracing Change and Technology
Lumar Dairy is anything but stuck in the past. From adopting genetic advancements such as RFID tags, using sexed semen, to implementing SenseHub Dairy collars for herd monitoring, Lumar Dairy consistently embraces innovation. Although, Borba notes that balancing risk and innovation require courage and a willingness to adapt.

When the decision to adopt new technology in calf care arose, Borba was uncertain. The potential was clear, yet choosing the right technology was pivotal. The idea was simple: get involved in a trial program, and if the technology worked, fantastic; if not, there were no significant losses.

“I didn’t know which calf monitoring system I wanted to go with because it all was new technology,” he says. “I didn’t want to invest in the wrong one, but I knew SenseHub was good.”

Borba’s journey with SenseHub Youngstock began in October 2022, but it wasn’t until a year and a half later that the system was truly optimized. The initial phase underscored a critical insight: Even the best technology fails without proper operation, evidenced by challenges with inadequate calf feeders.

“Good technology cannot be managed by a poor calf manager,” Borba says, noting that he took over managing the calves until he could find the right person. That occurred nearly a year later when he hired Maria. According to Borba, Maria was not just an employee; she brought a unique combination of dedication and passion to her role, traits indispensable for the transition to modernized calf care.

“Maria lives and breathes our calves,” he says. “She saw what I was doing, trusted me, believed in our protocols, and the transformation was like day and night.”

(Merck Animal Health)

Borba said without using SenseHub, Maria is a good employee. But add the calf technology into the equation, and she is an excellent employee.

“She doesn’t have an ego and trusted the data coming off the reports,” he shares.

Since incorporating the technology and Maria, their calf death loss has dropped dramatically.

“The return on this investment is excellent. I was at 85 female dairy replacements when I started and now, I’m at 113,” Borba shares.

Borba incorporated SenseHub Dairy collars in October last year.

He says he likes both the reproduction and health benefits that the collars provide.

“Overall, our second service conception has increased, our breeding got better,” he says, noting his herd is still not immune to health issues, like pneumonia or scours. “But, we are able to address everything sooner.”

Borba says their death loss improved because calves were being treated on day one.

Going forward, Borba looks to progress and to constantly improve.

“You cannot start nitpicking, or you’ll go backwards,” he says, noting that he feels like the herd is in a good spot. “It’s just continuing to being consistent.”

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Maximizing ROI in Dairy Farming with Technology Investments

Maximizing ROI in Dairy Farming with Technology Investments

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:47:48 GMT

In the evolving world of dairy farming, advancements in technology are transforming traditional practices into more efficient, sustainable and productive systems. As independent financial dairy consultant Gary Sipiorski points out, the key to successfully integrating new technology into farming operations begins with a careful evaluation of return on investment (ROI) through pro forma projections even before making a purchase.

Harnessing Technology for Efficiency
Across the U.S., dairies are increasingly adopting technology to speed up and simplify daily chores. Right at the forefront of this technological wave are artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics and smart technologies. These advancements are not only helping to streamline operations but are also carving out a path toward a more sustainable future in dairy farming.

In fact, the 2025 Farm Journal State of the Dairy Industry report highlights how two-thirds of dairy farms have embraced at least one form of feeding technology. Among these, health monitoring collars and ear tags stand out as the most widely adopted innovations. These tools enhance the ability to manage livestock more effectively, promoting healthier herds and thus boosting overall productivity.

Aiming for a Competitive Return
Sipiorski introduces an insightful analogy to guide farmers: When considering an investment, compare it to a certificate of deposit (CD) rate offered by banks.

“If the bank rate is at 4.5%, the technology needs to beat that,” he recommends, advising that the overall ROI on new technology purchase should have a target of 15%.

“It is difficult to sort out and guess at the return,” Sipiorski acknowledges. Yet, despite these uncertainties, he emphasizes the importance of engaging in detailed discussions and making informed projections. By doing so, dairy farmers can strategically plan and allocate resources to ensure their technological investments are not only innovative but also financially rewarding.

According to Brad Herkenhoff, senior dairy lending specialist with Compeer Financial says investing and adopting new technology can be a great asset for making more informed decisions for your dairy operation.

“Although, these technologies are not one size fits all, and producers should look for the technology that helps meet the goals of the farm,” he says.

The following are guidelines producers can use to make more informed decisions about technology purchases, ensuring they maximize their ROI while enhancing their operations.

Do’s and Don’ts for Technology Integration
Do’s:

Identify Clear Objectives for the Technology: Determine specific goals you wish to achieve. Will the technology increase efficiency, reduce costs or improve animal welfare for your farm?
Research and Compare: Explore different technology solutions in the marketplace, comparing their features, costs and vendor support to find the best fit for your dairy.
Perform a Cost-Benefit Analysis: Calculate the direct and indirect costs associated with the technology, such as purchase price, installation, training and maintenance. Consider the expected benefits like productivity gains and cost savings. Estimate how long it will take to recoup the initial investment from the benefits generated.
Involve Key Stakeholders: Engage the employees, consultants and advisers who will use the technology to ensure it meets operational needs and to secure their buy-in.
Plan for Scalability: Choose technology that can grow with your business, allowing for future expansion or adaptation to industry changes.

Don’ts:

Avoid Impulse Decisions: Refrain from rushing into decisions that could lead to selecting technology that doesn’t align with your dairy’s needs, which could result in fewer productivity gains or cost savings.
Neglect Training: Don’t underestimate the importance of adequately training employees to use new technology effectively. Inadequate training can lead to under-utilization and reduced benefits.
Ignore Hidden Costs: Be mindful of additional costs such as integration with existing systems, ongoing maintenance and potential disruptions during implementation.
Forget to Plan for Maintenance: Neglecting maintenance can lead to breakdowns and decreased performance, resulting in a lower ROI.

As dairy farmers navigate the complexities of integrating new technology into their operations, a strategic focus on evaluating ROI can lead to smarter, more impactful investments. This forward-thinking approach promises not only enhanced efficiency today but also secures the sector’s competitiveness for years to come.

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Who Really Owns Your Farm's Data?

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 18:37:03 GMT

Smart technology is becoming a bigger part of farming every year. From robotic milkers and GPS-guided sprayers to soil sensors and drones, today’s farms are filled with tech that quietly collects data, often without the farmer fully realizing just how much.

According to Bill Oemichen, professor of practice law and local government law educator at UW-Madison Extension, understanding the difference between the types of data being collected is critical.

“Small data is what comes directly from your farm,” he says. “That’s your yield records, soil samples, herd info and so on. It’s useful — but on its own, it doesn’t show the full picture. Big data is what happens when that small data gets combined with other farms’ data — plus weather records, land use history and more.”

And big data is where the real money is. Tech companies collect and store small data, then work with global tech firms like Amazon Web Services or Google Ventures to aggregate, analyze and monetize it. When Oemichen first learned Amazon was interested in ag data, he was surprised.

“I thought, why would Amazon care? But now it’s obvious. There’s huge value in knowing what’s happening on farms at a national scale,” he says.

Ashley Ellixson, an extension legal specialist at the University of Maryland, draws attention to some of the risks associated with this.

“The issue of farm data has been a contentious point of debate with respect to ownership rights and impacts when access rights are misappropriated,” she explains. “Although no specific laws or precedence exists, the possibility of trade secrets is examined and ramifications for damages are discussed.”

That legal gray area becomes even more complicated when you consider how farm data differs from traditional, tangible assets, she notes.

“Farm data are not a tangible asset, like a bushel of grain,” she says. “Instead, ownership should be considered in terms of rights and responsibilities of the parties with access to the data.”

That value stretches far beyond simple crop recommendations. It influences land prices, marketing strategies, artificial intelligence tools and even investment trends. Hedge funds are now using farm data to evaluate the productivity of farmland and outbid farmers for it.

“They’re putting a number on your land based on what the data says it could produce,” Oemichen explains. “That number may not match how you see your land. But to an investor, it tells them how much they’re willing to pay. And that information is often based on your own data.”

Ownership is One Thing, Control is Another
While many ag tech agreements state farmers own their data, that doesn’t mean they have full control over how it’s used. In practice, signing a user agreement often grants the company broad rights to analyze and share the data, similar to what happens on platforms like Facebook.

“You might technically own your posts, but you still gave the platform permission to use, analyze and sell that data,” Oemichen says. “The same thing is happening in ag.”

Companies and platforms like Bayer’s Climate FieldView, WinField United, Farm Business Network, Syngenta, John Deere, Corteva and Cargill all collect and use U.S. farm data, according to Oemichen. Bayer alone is believed to hold more than half of the world’s ag data, thanks in part to its partnership with Amazon Web Services.

And with scale comes leverage. Despite the immense value farm data can create, farmers typically aren’t being compensated for it.

“You might get better seed recommendations,” Oemichen notes. “But you’re not seeing a check for the value your data is creating in the marketplace.”

The Legal Gap
To be clear, data-driven tools offer undeniable benefits. Farmers are using them to boost efficiency, improve decision-making and solve problems faster. Agronomists and seed reps now show up with drone maps, pest forecasts and application schedules all powered by data.

Still, important questions remain:

Who controls your data?
Who profits from it?
What protections do you actually have?

Surveys show farmers are concerned. Data privacy and transparency are top-of-mind, especially with ag tech consolidation on the rise. Interestingly, according to Oemichen, many farmers say they trust cooperatives more than private companies to handle their data responsibly.

“That’s not surprising,” he adds. “Farmers own the co-op. They can sit on the board, and they know the data isn’t being sold to outside companies.”

Several organizations are already testing farmer-first models. The Farm Credit System has policies against sharing farmers’ data with outsiders. Texas-based Grower Information Services Cooperative and the Ag Data Coalition are exploring similar models.

But there’s a larger problem: the law hasn’t kept up.

“There is no law defining who owns farm data,” Oemichen says. “It all comes down to the fine print in contracts.”

And those contracts? Most farmers don’t read them.

“You download the app, check the box and boom — you just gave them permission to collect and share your data,” Oemichen says. “Even as an attorney, I’ve reviewed thousands of contracts. They’re hard to follow.”

He warns these agreements often allow companies to de-identify data (removing names and specific details) and combine it with other data — something they can then profit from. Once the user clicks “accept,” companies usually don’t need to ask again.

Ellixson points out how courts often struggle when applying existing laws to rapidly advancing technology like farm data.

“History shows the law rarely keeps up with technology, and farm data are no exception,” she says.

She also argues farm data should be considered intellectual property, specifically, trade secrets.

“Broadly speaking, any confidential business information providing an individual or enterprise with a competitive edge may be considered a trade secret,” Ellixson explains.

Can Farmers Take Back Control?
So, what power do farmers really have to push back or negotiate?

“The horse is out of the barn,” Oemichen says bluntly. “Most farms lack the size or legal support to negotiate with ag tech giants. Only the biggest players might get a voice. For smaller and mid-size farms, meaningful change will likely require policy reform.”

Unfortunately, regulation is lagging in the U.S. While Canada and California are beginning to explore protections for farm data, most states have little to no framework in place. Even intellectual property law offers limited support. Raw data isn’t copyrightable and trade secret protection requires special agreements most farmers don’t have the time or legal counsel to pursue.

There are a few bright spots. One is the Ag Data Transparent certification, a voluntary program that signals a company’s commitment to transparent data use. Companies that meet the program’s criteria earn the Ag Data Transparent seal.

“If you’re working with a vendor and they have that seal, that’s a good sign,” Oemichen says. “At least you’ll know what they’re doing with your data.”

Ultimately, he believes farmer co-ops could lead the way in protecting and leveraging farm data. If farmers already trust co-ops, why not build data-sharing systems that serve their members instead of selling access to third parties?

Creating these systems won’t be easy, but it is doable. And with so much at stake, Oemichen says farmers can’t afford to stay passive.

“This issue is growing fast,” he says. “It’s tough to stay ahead of it. But the more you know, the better chance you have to protect yourself and your farm in the digital age.”

His final advice? Read the contracts. Ask questions. And look for the seal.

All The Details: Inside John Deere’s New F8 and F9 Forage Harvesters

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:20:35 GMT

John Deere is rolling out two new forage harvesters for North American dairy producers and custom harvesting operations.

The brand new F8 and F9 Series feature three factory-installed operator cab options, a technology stack that will one day enable autonomous operation, and enhanced feed quality via an integrated inoculant dosing system.

How are F8 and F9 different?
The F8 Series (425PS to 645PS) is a narrow base model that takes the place of Deere’s 8000 Series forage harvester, while the F9 Series (700PS to 1020PS) replaces the 9000 Series. Within the F9 Series is the F9 1000, which is Deere’s largest forage harvest machine to date.

(Editor’s Note: “PS” stands for Pferdestärke, which is the German term for horsepower. PS to horsepower is not an apples-to-apples equal ratio. The F9 1000, for example, features 1020PS which equates to 1,006HP, according to the manufacturer.)

The F9 is available in two engine options:

John Deere 18X (no DEF required)
Liebherr V12 24L

It has five horsepower options, while the F8 comes with the JD14X engine and can be configured across six horsepower options.

The manufacturer last rolled out completely new forage harvesters in 2019.

How much will each new model cost?

The feed rolls on John Deere’s F8 and F9 forage harvesters have integrated metal detection to keep unwanted material out of your feed.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

John Deere is not sharing its pricing just yet, but the two new models are built at its Zweibrucken, Germany, factory. John Deere dealers will begin taking orders for the aggressively styled, technology-packed harvesters this fall, with final delivery in time for the 2026 forage harvesting season.

Deere representatives declined comment on what effect, if any, the still-developing U.S.and E.U. tariff situation could have on its launch plans.

Ahead of the launch, Farm Journal went to Madison, Wisc., to kick the tires and learn all about the new machines. The F8 and F9 harvesters we viewed and climbed into were the first finished production units off the factory line. Deere says several units will be field tested with U.S. customers ahead of the full fall launch.

“We’re really excited about the new cab and the technology we’ve added to these machines like central tire inflation, ground speed automation and the new kernel processing units,” says Bergen Nelson, go-to-market manager, combines and forage harvesters.

Here’s some of what we learned about the new forage harvesters:

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Cab Comforts: The same three operator cab options offered with Deere’s X and S Series combines — Select, Premium and Ultimate — are available on the F8 and F9 Series. A smoothly swiveling captain’s chair, as well as an all-new corner post display that shows real-time machine data, are among the additions. Operators who spend long hours in the cab will also appreciate integrated entertainment like SXM Radio and an optional mini fridge.

(Matthew J. Grassi )

Foundational Deere Tech Stack: Each new forage harvester in the series includes Deere’s baseline precision tech enablement stack — which consists of its G5 display, Starfire 7500 receiver and JDLink modem.

Central Tire Inflation System: A completely new feature (top left inset photo) within the G5 display allows the operator to adjust front tire PSI up or down from the cab.

John Deere Inoculant Dosing System 2.0

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Inoculant Dosing System 2.0: New on both the F8 and F9, a high-volume 85 gallon inoculant tank and integrated pump allow the user to accurately adjust silage inoculant dosage rates from the G5 display in the cab. The system is easy to pump and prime as well with the touch of a button located at the rear of the machine.

Ground Speed Automation: This cruise control-like option reads RPMs and throttles the harvester up or down based on crop conditions. For example, harvesting corn at higher moisture levels will increase power output, so the machine will automatically slow down to ensure it doesn’t plug up or do a sub-optimal job harvesting. This feature comes standard on all base models for both series and does not require a yearly subscription unlock or per-acre fee.

Pro Touch Harvest: Another new feature within the G5 display allows the operator to shift the machine from road transport mode to harvest mode in a single click. It can also be used to quickly engage AutoTrac and ground speed automation once the operator arrives at the edge of field.

This all-new XStream 305 Kernel Processing (KP) unit is built by Scherer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New Kernal Processing (KP) Units: The new harvesters feature two completely redesigned KP units, the Ultimate 250 (also made in Germany) and the Scherer XStream 305, which is made in Sioux Falls, S.D. An integrated winch and internal rail mounting system makes switching the machine from corn forage to hay forage in the field quick and simple. The number signifies each KP unit’s roll diameter width in millimeters.

“Both KPs will go in both machines and have four different roll options depending on how aggressive the dairyman wants their end feed quality to be,” says Shane Campbell, product marketing manager, forage harvesters.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Integrated Harvest Lab 3000: This on-demand constituent sensing module pulls over 4,000 samples per second with +/- 2% accuracy, and John Deere says it can save dairy operations time and money versus collecting and sending samples to a lab. The sensor tech (available as an add-on option) enables accurate measurement and documentation of dry matter, starch, protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber for both harvested forage and manure. The data can be stored, organized and shared via Deere’s Operations Center. Within Operations Center, users can take geo-referenced data and build out spatial starch content — as well as moisture and protein — maps for hybrid selection and fertility management. Because if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

Active Fill Control 3.0: Using sensors and cameras on the grain spout, this tech feature automatically detects the trailer or grain cart next to the forage harvester and begins filling it with a preselected fill strategy. This reduces the number of times an operator has to adjust the spout manually and also lessens fatigue and neck strain, according to Deere.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New Operating Modes: Several of the models within the F9 Series offer what Deere is calling its “Engine Power Plus” feature — which gives a sizeable horsepower boost when the machines senses it needs a little extra chopping power to the harvesting head. There is also an ECO mode that can be toggled on when the machines don’t need the extra torque.

Ease-Of-Access: Both models have side and rear panels that easily open to grant full access to the inner workings of the machines, making the new forage harvesters much easier to service and maintain without a lift or other heavy specialized equipment. The machine is setup so techs and mechanically-minded farmers will not have to climb underneath it to perform daily maintenance.

“At the end of the day, we know it’s all about the cow, and these machines will put out quality feed,” Nelson says. “We’ll have these out at the farm shows this summer, including Farm Progress Show, World Ag Expo, World Dairy Expo and the U.S. Custom Harvesters Convention.”

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New Calf Health Monitoring Tool is Nothing to Spit At

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 20:45:03 GMT

It’s easy to access, non-invasive, and could provide a window into the health status and welfare of calves. What is it? Believe it or not: saliva.

Animal scientists are researching the telegraphing abilities of saliva in various animal species, including calves. By analyzing its chemical properties, saliva – and changes in its composition over time – can signal stress, inflammation, immune response, and sometimes the presence of disease-causing pathogens.

A recent study by Hungarian researchers measured the cortisol levels in saliva of newborn calves. They found that the levels went up precipitously for all calves immediately after birth, signifying that birth and acclimation to the post-birth environment are highly stressful for calves.

Most significantly, calves that experienced dystocia exhibited much higher salivary cortisol concentrations compared to calves with a normal birth, likely due to prolonged parturition and/or forced extraction.

Another study conducted is Spain also looked at chemical markers in saliva to monitor systemic oxidative stress and compensating antioxidants. They found that when calves were weaned and commingled into larger groups, oxidant molecules increased, which in turn triggered an increase in antioxidants.

This information is valuable from a research perspective because saliva can be sampled using a non-invasive method to assess animal welfare and health, avoiding more painful, time-consuming, and invasive procedures such as blood and tissue sampling. Saliva sampling is noted to be fast, accurate, and cost-effective, and for these reasons can be performed very frequently.

At a more practical level, saliva samples could help determine less-stressful methods of managing and transporting calves. In the future, automated saliva sampling also could possibly trigger alerts for calves on the front side of a disease challenge like pneumonia, or adult cows in the early stages of lameness or metritis, as a few examples.

Saliva also could serve as a tool to determine the best timing for management practices like administering vaccines. If calves are found to be in a state of high oxidative stress based on a simple saliva test, vaccination could be delayed until those levels come down.

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Hazards in Feed Could be Monitored in Real Time

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 19:16:20 GMT

A new dashboard system designed to help compound feed manufacturers produce safe feed is being developed in the Netherlands.

Researchers at Wageningen University are building the system, which is intended to identify feed safety hazards at an early stage in the manufacturing process.

The dashboard, currently called the “Digital Support System” (DSS), uses 10 years of historical monitoring data, such as trends over time and world maps showing the presence of contaminants in animal feed. The contaminants of current focus are mycotoxins, dioxins, heavy metals and pesticides.

Feed companies have supplied monitoring data on hazards in feed ingredients, and the university mined other open data sources to build the data body with information like country of origin, weather conditions, trade environment, and socio-economic factors.

Using machine-learning techniques, they utilized the data to develop prediction models for the presence of specific hazards and specific levels.

Dashboard users can choose from a comprehensive range of feed ingredients, potential contaminants, and countries of origin. They can also see an overview of the presence of hazards within a selected country over the past 10 years to get predictions from the AI model for the likelihood that contaminants will be present in the future.

The developers say they hope the DSS will be a global tool used to identify safety hazards at an early stage in the feed manufacturing process. They noted it will be usable by feed manufacturers from anywhere in the world. And, they predict the model could easily be used to develop similar, hazard-avoiding dashboards for food manufacturers.

The DSS is being developed as part of a 4-year project in collaboration with SecureFeed, GMP+ International, and Trouw Nutrition. They will be the first organization to test-drive the system before it becomes available worldwide.

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Are You Harvesting Your Data as Well as You Harvest Your Milk?

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:32:39 GMT

Here is something we don’t hear enough of: “Dairy Farmers are one of the smartest, adaptable and resilient people in agriculture. They are experts in navigating their business during price instabilities and political changes.” Dairies are one of the rare businesses that sell a product without knowing what they will get paid for it that month. It takes grit and forward thinking to thrive.

Farming is hard work, but using technology to make farming “smart” can make it easier. Activity monitors, reproductive and management software, daily feeding data, data on rumination, temperature and even what is going on inside the rumen in real time is a common thing now. But digging through all that data can be worse than emptying a manure pit with a shovel. This is where a good Artificial Intelligence (AI) system can help. But how? In no way AI systems can replace a good dairyman with good cattle skills, but it can read all the data from a farm, compile it in a simple way and summarize it by creating daily action items.

AI systems take on boring routine tasks and gives us, humans, more time for important business decisions and maintenance. For example, AI systems can alert herd managers about a sick cow before she shows any visual signs of problem, by looking at real time video, activity and rumination data. Some systems being developed can send a message every morning to the management team with their recommended daily tasks such as a list of cows that need attention, parlor inefficiencies, sort lists and where that day’s bottleneck is to be worked on. One system uses cameras to observe empty feed bunks and eating patterns and help develop a way to keep feed in front of cows more consistently. AI can help develop a feeding schedule for your specific farm needs. It can compile a list of animals to breed by using activity monitors or video data from the night before and send them to the sorting list using automatic gates without human intervention. Lastly, it can send an updated list of business action items such as filing state sales reports or compliance reports for creameries and regulators, and even write them.

To properly know what to do, AI systems need good data as input. But the future is bright with the advent of camera and vision neural network technologies. Some companies are all in on getting video data to replace all sensors. Cameras have a relatively low price as farms only need a few of those compared to several sensors per cow.

Dairy farming is a tough business, and that might be why it is also one of the most resilient industries. Today, the most forward thinking and progressive farms are bold, looking for challenges and thinking about the future. In dairy farming, standing still in your ways will just leave you behind, using AI with a good team is a great way to push the dairy industry forward.

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Andre Pereira is an independent consultant with GPS Dairy Consulting, LLC. He uses innovative technology to help improve management practices and workflow to create high efficiency of production with a focus on integrity, transparency, collaboration, and respect. He has extensive knowledge and experience with amino acid balancing and optimizing rations.

Cow Monitoring from a Bird’s Eye View

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Tracking the behavior of dairy cows to monitor everything from lameness to estrous expression has become a widely adopted practice in recent years.

But a team of Japanese researcher contends that they have devised a cow-monitoring system that is superior to many others, because of its no-touch features that “let cows be cows.”

Unlike attaching mechanical devices to cows, the system developed by researchers at the Tokyo University of Science relies strictly on cameras and image analysis. They say their multi-camera system has the ability to monitor cows across entire barns with 90% accuracy.

“This non-intrusive method enables early disease detection, health monitoring, and improved breeding management. It offers a practical solution for dairy farmers to enhance milk production and herd well-being efficiently,” they noted.

And unlike other camera-based monitoring system, the Japanese design uses location information rather than complicated image patterns. Lead researcher Yota Yamamoto explained, “This is the first attempt to track dairy cows across an entire barn using multi-camera systems. While previous studies have used multiple cameras to track cows, each camera typically tracks cows individually -- often the same cow as a different one across cameras. Although some methods enable consistent tracking across cameras, they have been limited to two or three cameras covering only a portion of the barn.”

In tests using video footage of cows moving closely together in a barn, this Japanese system achieved about 90% accuracy in tracking the cows, measured through Multi-Object Tracking Accuracy. The ability to analyze individual cows’ walking patterns, visits to feeding stations, and water consumption habits can signal changes that might indicate illness, estrous, or injury.

The results of experimental research with the system recently were published in a special Computers and Electronics in Agriculture feature in the Journal of Dairy Science. “This method enables optimal management and round-the-clock health monitoring of dairy cows, ensuring high-quality milk production at a reasonable price,” stated Yamamoto.

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Saving Time (and Fingers) with Technology

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 15:04:54 GMT

For the first time in three years we are experiencing winter in Wisconsin.

After finishing our weekly fifty-minute herd program, Jose and I can be found standing in the office, waiting for the feeling to return to our hands and “working” the fresh pen. A task that would have required us to trudge back out into the freezing barn for another 30 minutes three years ago has now become a much more comfortable endeavor. All thanks to a small technology investment.

Pointing at the screen my herd owner Mark tells me he’s been watching #5670 because her rumination is all over the map the last three days.

He quickly apologizes to me and asks if we would go out and take a look at her.

“She’s in pen five, stall number three, on the west side, Mark says. Let’s bring her up and have the doc see what’s going on.

“This is the “modern fresh pen workup.” Gone are the days of locking up the fresh pen every day for an hour so we can take the temperature of every fresh cow, test them all for ketosis and sleeve them to check for metritis.

Replacing this time-consuming process is a simple ear tag. This smart technology is just one example of an evolving tool set that is present on more and more dairy farms.

Today’s “smart” dairies look to leverage tools like activity monitors, feed watch programs, parlor AI, and beyond for improved efficiency.

All meant to help the modern dairyman save time, and in this case his fingertips.

Time is a valuable commodity for a dairy’s cows, herdsman, and owners; one might argue the most valuable. Yet, despite the fact that our society largely lives by the phase, “Time is money” we rarely audit its usage.

Such a simple self-awareness exercise for our herdsmen and owners can create more mindful and intentional decisions about where time is lost each day.

Much like a budget our time has fixed and discretionary expenses. On the farm things like paying bills, ordering feed, working a fresh pen, and maintaining equipment often become “fixed” time expenses. Opposingly, things we would call “interesting” or “fun” like planning the next growth phase of the dairy or going to a meeting to learn the latest in fertilizer application, technologies become discretionary time expenses. Secondary thoughts that only gain attention if there is time left over.

I encourage my dairy herdsmen and owners to regularly audit where their time is spent in the same way they would their books.

This can be done through phone applications like aTimeLogger. It allows you to create custom categories that you can toggle on and off as you move in or out of an area.

Or if you prefer analog; simply write down what you’re doing at the top of every hour in using a pen and paper pocket notebook.

Do these tasks for 5-7 days and share them with your management team.

When we review these reports our teams can be more conscious of where and what their time is being spent on throughout the workday. Making them mindful of where they could plug in new technology to save them time.

Smart dairy technologies help improve the efficiency of fixed tasks, giving key decision makers more time to complete discretionary tasks. Which frees up time in the day to do the things they enjoy as well. And in our case, helping them to simply be able to feel their fingers at the end of the day!

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A New Kind of AI for Dairy Calves

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:23:37 GMT

Most dairy calves born in the U.S. are the product of artificial insemination. But now there’s a new kid in town when it comes to “AI” in the calf barn.

CowManager® , a Dutch company with a long history in dairy cattle activity monitoring, has introduced a Youngstock Module that allows managers to monitor individual calves via lightweight ear sensors.

The sensors combine temperature and artificial intelligence with ever-evolving machine learning algorithms to electronically monitor individual calves. The system can detect subtle behavior changes associated with illness, allowing for early disease detection and detailed recovery tracking.

Information from the sensors is transmitted to a computer or smartphone via wireless solar routers, which can be placed virtually anywhere – barns, pastures, or feedlots. This real-time information is available 24/7, and also can be integrated with herd management software programs.

Each ear sensor fits around an official animal identification RFID tag, and stays with the animal throughout its life. As calves grow and develop, additional value is derived from heat-detection and breeding decision-making, transition-cow health monitoring, and more. The sensors can be transferred to other animals and do not require battery charging or collars.

Cow Manager developers say the Youngstock Module ensures that each calf gets the individual attention it needs in a timely fashion. Calves can be treated earlier in their disease progression, so their performance is less affected, and treatments have a better chance of working and allowing a full recovery.

Ultimately, they say this leads to improved animal welfare and reduced reliance on antibiotics, plus saves time and labor. Keeping calves healthy and preventing permanent lung scarring also can help maximize calves’ genetic potential for optimal lifetime performance.

The CowManager Youngstock Module won a Silver Medal Innovation Award at the EuroTier 2024 trade show in Hanover, Germany. The system is distributed in the United States by Select Sires, Inc .

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