Bridging the Data Gap in Dairy Farming - the promise of digital technologies

By 2067 the dairy industry per capita consumption of dairy is expected to increase from 87kg/person to 119kg (projections). Compounded by a growing population, this means the world will need to produce 600 billion kilograms more milk. Today’s dairy cow will either need to double her production, or we will need to dramatically increase cow numbers! In the last 25 years, we have increased milk production by 61% (about 2% p.a.) but can we continue this trend and do so sustainably?

The difference between a high and low performing cow can be considerable. Milk production, judged by weight, is influenced by genetics and what cows eat (nutrition), but also by inconsistency in mixing of feed, eating behaviors such as sifting, other cows bullying, water quality (or lack of!) and environmental factors such as heat. In ever larger and more intensive production environments, with fewer people wanting to work on farms, managing is a bigger and bigger challenge. In such a setting dairy farming has focused on managing the average cow, not the individual.

A glaring gap for dairy farmers is data. Farms, especially large ones, don’t know how much an individual cow eats, how much she drinks, how much she moves, her body temperature, stress, sickness, etc. Even individual milk production isn’t always recorded in a consistent manner. How can farmers manage cow comfort, select the right ones for breeding and retaining, judge true profitability and raise the bar in terms of milk production?

So how can we bridge the data gap? Without precise, real-time, smart data, individually monitoring and converting the data in a way that farmers can make decisions the task is impossible. Even more difficult is to answer prosumer demands for animal welfare and sustainability. Enter digital technologies with the ability to fill that data gap.

Sensors

More than any other technological advancement, sensors can fill in the data gap in dairy farming, particularly when animals are outside in a field. Before the use of technology, monitoring an individual cow’s health has been difficult, time consuming and cost-intensive. However, the use of sensors and wearable technologies allows farmers to monitor individual cows. No longer do producers have to work from herd averages but are able to determine illness or lameness more effectively, and react accordingly, quite possibly before milk production or the herd is affected.

Wearable sensors have proved to be vital in managing a cow’s health and there is no shortage of companies producing this type of technology. Leaders such as SCR Dairy, which is assessed to have about 80% of the market share, produce all manner of wearables such as that worn on a cow’s ears, neck, legs or tail. They can also be implanted subcutaneously or inside the rumen. Sensors also help to monitor cow comfort and welfare. Cows need to rest for an average of 11 hours a day, any less than this affects blood flow to the udder and can negatively impact milk yield. Sensors can detect a lack of locomotion and alert producers when in order to circumvent these negative effects.

Sensors can be used to detect disease signals that are otherwise hard for farmers to notice, such as mastitis. AfiMilk, Agricam, DeLaval, Fullwood, Lely, LIC Automation, MastiLine and Wakaito all claim to detect mastitis in cows and provide producers with early opportunities to combat the issue. Rumination is also vital to a cow’s production and sensors designed to be located inside the rumen can do this most effectively by monitoring acidity levels through a digitally connected bolus. Companies that offer acid monitors like Smartbow, which was a participant in the Pearse Lyons Accelerator, allow farmers to detect digestive problems, such as ruminal acidosis. Other rumination sensors are provided by Agis, DairyMaster, eCow, Gentian Services, ITIN-HOCH, Lely, Medria, MoonSyst, Moow, Nedap, Silent Herdsman, SCR, smaXtec, and Well Cow.

Livestock Labs has created a tracking technology called EmbediVet that is implanted underneath the cow’s skin using a local anesthetic. This tracker claims to be less annoying than wearable sensors and more accurate in gathering data and monitoring behavior. Ingenera offers a line of various sensor products designed to measure cow conformation, weight, udder health and other body metrics.

Moocall produces sensors that detect the heat cycle of cows by evaluating her responsiveness to a teaser bull. His proximity and behavior can determine her receptivity and alert the farmer's smart device if she is in heat. Afimilk makes a pedometer for cows, alerting farmers of the best time for insemination on the basis that cows walk and move more as they come into estrus. Other heat detection sensor companies include: Agis, Boumatic, CRV, Dairymac, DairyMaster, DeLaval, ENGS Systems, GEA, Gentian Services, Ice Robotics, Lely, Moonitor, Medria, Nedap, SCR, Smartbow, smaXtec, and Fullwood.

Moocall also makes the Moocall Calving sensor, a wearable that attaches to the cow’s tail and monitors her contractions. Connected to the producer’s mobile, it sends an alert one hour before active calving, allowing farmers to minimize time spent checking pregnant cows and increase efficiencies in time management. More companies with calving sensors include Cowcall, smaXtec animal care Gmbh, Medria, ENGS Systems  and the Livestock Labs.

Outside of wearables on cows, there are other examples of sensors in the dairy industry. SomaDetect is a startup that has developed a sensor allowing farmers to know what is in the milk they produce. Specifically, there is an in-line sensor that measures milk fat, protein, somatic cell counts, progesterone, and antibiotics at every milking. Danish company Foss Analytics has a similar business model using sensors and NIR.

ENGS systems is implementing their free flow technology through the Advanced Milk Meter. It collects data on the cow’s individual milk flow rate, quantity, temperature and electrical conductivity and transfers the data to a milk management program for farmers to use.

Artificial Intelligence

Big data promises precision agriculture, however if farmers can’t interpret the data and use it to take action then the data is useless. Artificial intelligence allows producers to analyze the data that sensors and other hardware technologies collect. It can provide an interpretation and solution by mimicking human decision making and has the ability to completely transform how a dairy farm operates.

SCR Dairy is implementing cow, milk, and herd intelligence through their variety of sensors and artificial intelligence technologies. They offer sensors ranging from heat detection and calving to health monitoring sensors such as SCR’s SenseTime Solution sensor which detects then charts a cow’s daily activities, such as ruminating, eating and walking patterns. When paired with artificial intelligence software this provides users with early, proactive solutions to potentially concerning problems. Along with the capability to record information regarding reproduction, health and nutrition, the sensor provides farmers with solutions for each individual cow. 

Cainthus has developed algorithms for facial recognition software that can monitor the cow’s activity; there is no need for the cows to wear any sort of tracking devices and this software may eliminate the need for wearables all together, particularly for animals raised indoors. Using cameras stationed throughout the barn, the software alerts farmers when their cows show early signs of lameness. Cargill has a significant minority investment in Cainthus, assuming that this ‘machine vision’ approach will allow AI to supplant many of the sensor systems.

Ida, “The Intelligent Dairy Farmer’s Assistant,” developed by Connecterra is a cow neck tag that gathers activity data on cows such as time spent eating, ruminating, idling, walking and lying down. Connecterra says it uses AI to interpret individual deviations in the cow’s behavior and provide alerts or recommendations to the farmer.

Drones

There are opportunities for drones in the dairy industry, but they do often require additional technologies. Most simply, drones can be used to generally inspect the herd or fences or to aid in herding cows from fields to barns. The inclusion of other technologies creates greater opportunities. Visual sensors have proven to be instrumental in surveying land and measuring pasture growth. PrecisionHawk is using drones for the purpose of mapping, inspecting, and photographing pastures in order to detect growth. 

Algorithms enable drones to identify cows specifically and not confuse them with deer or similar animals. When combined with thermal imaging, the opportunities to locate and track cows increases dramatically, particularly in fields spotted with trees or dense foliage. Temperature detection would allow farmers to identify abnormal behavior in the cow, such as lameness, illness or calving. Drones may become more useful in these areas, particularly if battery life is prolonged and autonomous flying ability is improved.

Robots

Robotic milking machines is probably the most well-known application for robots in the dairy industry, increasing efficiencies and replacing expensive or unavailable labor. Lely’s Astronaut A5 and DeLaval’s Voluntary Milking System not only cut labor costs, but allow cows to decide when they want to be milked. Robotic milkers (milkbots) clean the udders, identify the cow’s teats and milk automatically.

DeLaval offers other robotic milking technologies, such as the rotary platform that allows farmers to maximize a herd’s milking performance while providing a comfortable and safe environment for both cows and operators. miRobot provides a milking system also designed for larger operations. Both companies offer multi-stall automated milking operations to milk cows simultaneously, completing full parlors with only one operator. This new technology has allowed farmers to cut back on labor costs and get more milkings per day.

The Lely Grazeway system acts as a gateway to the pasture that only allows cows to graze after they have been milked. The cows step into the selection box, and the Lely Qwes cow-recognition system determines whether or not the cow can be let out to graze.

Before robots, cows were typically milked twice a day because of labor and time constraints. Now, cows can be milked three times a day or more, greatly increasing production and profits. And, as they are stationary for several minutes while milking, there is added opportunity for medical and health assessments using transponders or sensors; which can not only analyze the speed, amount and quality of milk produced, but also how much the cow has eaten, heat cycle, etc.

Another possible use for robots include cleaning and sanitizing the barn, allowing for better biosecurity measures which will lead to healthier conditions for the cows. There might also be a place for robots in the calving process. While this might not be as useful for an outdoor herd, there could be potential for robotic assistance for cows kept indoors.

3D printing

There are multitudinous applications for 3D printing in the dairy industry. A primary application of 3D printing is in that of machine parts, which is of particular interest to rural farmers, saving valuable time and possibly money, depending on the part needed.

In some ways, 3D printing is already challenging the dairy industry through 3D printed foods. Cheese is one of the easier foods to duplicate through 3D printing, due to its easily changeable state from solid to liquid. Study findings suggest that printed cheese is less sticky, softer, and has better meltability than non-printed cheese. The concept of printed food may not appeal to all consumers; the challenge being to produce food that offers an advantage, such as lower cost, improved taste or healthier nutritional content.

Such is the case with “Perfect Day,” a start-up company from San Francisco using 3D printing combined with gene sequencing to create a yeast fermentation product that looks and tastes like milk. The product is portrayed as a non-dairy alternative for vegans or dairy intolerant individuals.

Augmented Reality

Augmented reality can be defined as the integration of digital information with the user’s environment in real time. A recent report stated that sales for augmented reality is expected to rise from $2.4 billion in 2018 to $48.2 billion in 2025.

Studies have found that AR can be used to make food more visually appealing or to be effective in estimating proper serving sizes. Apples’s ARKit can also be used to provide consumers with nutritional knowledge as this video demonstrates. Should this technology be more common, these applications could affect the dairy industry as certain aspects of food products, both good and bad, would now be more obvious to the consumer. 

Outside of the consumer focus, augmented reality can be used to allow producers an alternative way to monitor and evaluate cows. This video (begin at 2:22) demonstrates how AR can allow a farmer to immediately see stats relating to the farm through the use of goggles. Information relating to each individual cow is overlaid through the glasses into the farmer’s field of vision. He can see information on everything in the facility, even evaluating the quality of the milk.

 Could this technology not also be used in the veterinary field for inspection and observiation? Perhaps if combined with reliable sensor data, the vet could be able to deliver appropriate recommendations for disease management and reduce the need for direct farm call visits, thus lowering costs.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality can be defined as an environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real way through electronic equipment. Applications in the dairy industry vary from farm tours to veterinary training and the positive effects such as safety and efficiency are recognized. 

New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra and solutions company Beca have partnered to develop a virtual reality health and safety training technology to allow employees to navigate the manufacturing and distribution sites without setting foot on the physical site, thus reducing onboarding times. Fonterra employees learn to identify potential hazards and experience hazardous situations in a realistic simulated environment, enhancing learning experiences without the risk of being in harm’s way. This technology also reduces labor costs by replacing a number of the hands-on health and safety training positions.

Virtual reality is being used to teach veterinary students the reproductive and rectal tracts of the cow. Created by former vet, Sarah Baillie, the Haptic Cow is a fiberglass model of the rear of a cow that combines virtual reality with robotics. The VR aspect is provided by a computer that allows students to visualize an object within the cow virtually enabling them to practice fertility examinations such as pregnancy detection or determine reproductive concerns without putting them in a situation that can potentially be dangerous for both the cow and the student.

DeLaval is creating virtual reality films of farms available also in 360 degrees, allowing viewers to scroll from side to side to view the entirety of the dairy barn in the film. The Hamra Farm in Sweden is showcased with the innovative techniques they implement on their farm, such as robotic milking machines, robotic brushes, robotic cleaners, as well as other innovative aspects of the farm. These "farm tours" will allow consumers to better understand where their dairy comes from. There is much discussion about animal welfare and giving consumers an opportunity to experience first-hand how a dairy farm operates will be a primary component to battle negative feelings toward the industry.

Blockchain

It is well known that consumers are increasingly becoming interested in where their food comes from and how it is produced. Blockchain can connect all aspects of the supply chain from producer to consumer and allow for food traceability and safety. The opportunities and challenges of blockchain have been described before. From an agriculture and food perspective, offering this type of information to consumers will put products ahead of the competition and from a dairy industry standpoint, may not prove as challenging as other areas of agriculture, such as beef, which exchanges ownership more frequently.

Internet of Things

Together these eight technologies are creating opportunities within the dairy industry for increased efficiencies, profitability and production. The connectivity of these technologies is made possible through the Internet of Things (IoT)

Agriwebb is a company using IoT for full farm record keeping, including field management, inventory, operations, grazing and even biosecurity. Stellapps in India leverages IoT to offer all manner of products from general herd management to milk evaluation, payment processing and cold chain monitoring. Dell Technologies is also heavily involved in IoT applications and is working with dairy producer Chitale.

Cargill is working with SCiO (Consumer Physics) to create Reveal, an app designed to deliver content of feed within minutes. Previously, this type of technology was either time intensive (waiting on lab results) or expensive (specialized equipment cost thousands of dollars). Using a micro spectrometer with NIR calibrations, Cargill and SCiO offer this simple service using producers' own devices and results are available in a minute's time.

IoT is how another company, SmartFarm Systems is integrating various aspects of the dairy farm in one app. The software connects the producers bins to feed mills and helps with ordering feed and also connects to sensors on cows to monitor and track performance.

IoT technology is the how the Keenan Intouch System is able to provide farmers with the nutritional information they need to ensure the best formulation possible. A feed mixer that is designed to give uniformity to feed, allowing for improved digestion in the ruminant, creating rations that are both chemically and physically balanced. The system allows producers to monitor feed waste and make necessary changes to improve efficiencies and decrease costs.

Using the Data

In the past, farm management applications have allowed farmers to make strategic management decisions based on the collection of farm data. Inevitably once nutritional decisions are being made sciences such as nutrigenomics and decisions about smart nutrition are critical to taking advantage of this enhanced data and management information systems. Nutrigenomics research has shown that specific nutrients and inclusion of enzymes can greatly impact milk yield.

Previously, collected data has been generalized for an entire dairy farm, rather than specific to each cow. Through the use of sensors, AI and other technologies, farm management aps like FarmWizard can provide individual data for each cow, allowing farmers to improve precision and accuracy when it comes to making managerial decisions. Dairy Data Warehouse and Uniform Agri also offer the opportunity for improved data collection, quality and analysis with a focus on enabling nutritionists to better advise their clients. 

Dairying in 2067 won’t look anything like Dairy farming of the recent past, let alone the since the first cow was domesticated. Changes are happening so fast the connected farm is likely to be the norm within the next 10 years. Capturing individual cow data and allows farmers direct access not only to current but also historical data and will made possible by implementing these 8 technologies and the interconnectivity of IoT. This will allow farmers to bridge the data gap and improve dairy production through digitization and the winners will be those who embrace this disrupted digital dairy landscape.