Dairy farms are becoming more sophisticated than ever. Behavior monitoring devices, robotic milkers, rumen boluses, blockchain technology and artificial intelligence all have a place in the dairy industry. However, these technologies often come at a high cost – a literal cost that for many operations isn't attainable, at least not yet. Still, there is one piece of ag tech making waves for its relatively low cost, low barrier to entry and nearly limitless applications on the farm – drone technology.
When drones first emerged in agriculture, they seemed more like something out of a sci-fi novel than something with practical application. But as the tech got easier and frankly better, their popularity soared. Today, drones are used all over the industry, from crop and livestock monitoring to spotting noxious weeds in thousand-acre pastures. Operations are using drones for the same reasons they adopt many technologies, to create operational efficiencies which in turn increases profitability.
Marcus Hollmann, a consultant based in Wisconsin; and Steve Mayo, a consultant assistant based in Idaho, both with Standard Dairy Consultants, use drones to help their dairy clients with feed management and completing TMR audits. Using a drone in TMR audits captures video from a bird's-eye view – the best angle to evaluate each step objectively while also improving the safety of the auditor.
What is a TMR audit?
A TMR audit evaluates the mixing and delivery process of forage-based diets, looking for bottlenecks in the process. The auditor considers how a feed is stored in commodity sheds to how the feed is delivered to the bunk and all the steps in between.
“You know the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true, how much is a high-quality video worth? We might think there is a problem with the mixing process from just how the cows are behaving and performing. However, the challenge at times is convincing the client of the issue,” Hollmann says. “An on-point video provides indisputable evidence and a solid base for discussions. Clients generally formulate changes as they are watching the footage.”
Mayo says the drones also help with the safety aspect of the process.
“Before using a drone for TMR audits, I was standing over the wagon wheel bed with my phone trying to capture video,” Mayo says. “The angle wasn't right, and there was always the potential danger of the loader or falling in the wagon. A drone helps me capture better video and be safer while doing it.”
Steps in the drone TMR audit
Hollmann and Mayo say when completing drone TMR audits, they evaluate four main areas: feed center efficiency, feed mixing and management, mixer maintenance and feed consistency at the feedbunk.
1. Feed center efficiency
The first thing Hollmann and Mayo consider is the feed center efficiency. This includes how the commodities are organized so the loader has the fewest and shortest possible passes between the bins, stackyard and mixer wagon.
“At this step, I'm analyzing the feed loading process with the drone footage,” Hollmann says. “I ask the questions: Is it efficient? Is the order of ingredients appropriate for the mix? How are the ingredients laid out? Are there ways to save time? Answering these questions can help to improve labor efficiency and equipment efficiency."
The auditor captures the video with the drone, and they can watch it later to map out the more efficient routes for the wagon and loader.
2. Feed mixing and management
During the audit, they also look at the mixing process by capturing overhead video of the feed being distributed in the mixer. How long does it take for ingredients to be evenly blended? Are they getting it mixed sufficiently? Are there better options? Hollmann and Mayo look for small details during the loading process, and the drone helps capture those details. They can then review video, time feed incorporation or count screw revolutions from the ease of an office.
“I was completing one of these audits for one of my clients. He was loading concentrates with an auger. One auger was going into the front chamber of the mixer, and the second auger was going into the back chamber. Based on the color scheme of the concentrates, we could tell from the drone footage how long it was taking to get evenly distributed,” Hollmann says. “It was taking too long with the mixer running the whole time at a slow speed. Thus, the TMR was getting processed too much. Based on the footage, the dairy implemented an on-farm premix of all concentrates. This improvement ensured even distribution of all concentrates in a shorter time, eliminating the risk of overprocessing the feed.”
3. Mixer maintenance
Evaluating how the mixer wagon incorporates the feed and how long it takes can help detect potential maintenance needs for the wagon.
“When I complete an audit, I go from start to finish – an empty wagon to a full one – and what I observe can help me identify issues with the wagon,” Mayo says. “When the feeder hits the RPMs and starts to put the ingredients in, I'm timing it to see how quickly new feedstuff disappears. The drone gives me the best angle to see the entire process."
Mayo explains the process, saying that the hay goes in first because it needs the most processing. Next, corn silage.
“If the feeder dumps a bucket of corn silage in and it just sits on top of the mix and bounces, it might tell us the RPM is too slow, or that kicker plates are worn out or maybe there is a timing issue with the screws,” Mayo says. “If the particle length is too long, it is a sign that maybe the blades need to be replaced. We can get a pretty good idea of what is going on inside the mixer from the feed that comes out, but the drones help us hone in on problems.”
4. Feed consistency at the bunk
Both Hollmann and Mayo agree that while how the feed is delivered at the bunk is important in the audit, it is probably least supported by the drone because of simple logistics. Mayo says while he likes the idea of following the mixer wagon with the drone through the entire feedout, the last thing he wants to do is cause a stampede. Hollmann agrees and says his main issue is flying the drones indoors, as most of his clients' cows are in barns. They both express that sometimes you can't get around getting out of the truck or office and walking the feedbunks, and that is a good thing.
Why complete an audit at all?
“In the short term, TMR audits can improve labor and equipment efficiency,” Hollmann says. “In the longer term, consistent, not overprocessed feed will improve cow performance and profitability to the dairy.”
Adding a drone to the audit process takes the audit to the next level, giving the farm and the auditor high-quality video data to support management changes.
Value-added for the dairy
Mayo says his main goal is to support the dairy, and drone technology is a great value-added tool he likes to provide the clients.
“Drone TMR audits, mapping feed inventories and other drone uses are just another way we're trying to help make a dairyman’s jobs easier,” Mayo says. “We want to help them increase efficiencies and in turn support the farm’s profitability. Drones and other technology can help do that.”
Erica Louder provided this article on behalf of Standard Dairy Consultants.
Other drone feed management applications
Mayo and Hollmann are also using drones in other feed management applications and see great potential for drones to increase feed management in all areas of a dairy. Here are a few other ways drones can improve feed management:
- Mapping feed inventories: Mayo currently uses a drone to help complete stackyard inventories – including producing aerial maps of stackyards coordinated with inventory and hay quality numbers.
- Estimating silage inventories: Mayo uses drones to help estimate silage piles, though both Hollmann and Mayo agree that the pile density tends to be the biggest variable, not accuracy of length, width or height. However, there is new technology coming from the mining industry for measuring density using software-equipped drones.
- Regularly flying pens: Checking waterers for leaks and pipe breaks on large drylot dairies.
- Inspecting silage piles: Using drones with infrared cameras to check for holes in covers or hot spots.
