The adage “All models are wrong, but some are useful” raises an interesting question: Will advancing technology – especially artificial intelligence (AI) – change that? Probably not. However, the potential for AI to transform the dairy industry is immense. As more dairy farmers gain access to reliable internet and sufficient computing power, both on-farm and through off-farm servers, we’re likely to see increased application of AI to improve farm management, and thus dairy cow health and performance may improve as well.
At the recent Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Field Day hosted by the Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference and allied industries, this topic took center stage. Speakers from various industry partners and academic institutions highlighted the promise and potential of technology in dairy farming. Here are some key takeaways from the event.
1. Data integration remains a challenge
Anyone familiar with dairy farming knows the industry relies on a multitude of technologies and software to manage cows and farm economics. Walk into a modern dairy farm office, and you’ll often find multiple computer workstations running 24-7. One of the biggest challenges in adopting AI is effectively integrating these tools – most of which are not designed to communicate with one another.
While promising progress has been made in data integration, the true breakthrough will come when a platform seamlessly combines all data streams, empowering farmers to make well-informed decisions. Such a system would integrate data from wearable cow sensors, milking parlor operations, cow management tools, on-farm cameras, feed management systems and cost-of-production metrics into a single platform for critical farm analysis.
2. Use models or algorithms that are externally validated
Dr. Miel Hostens, an associate professor at Cornell University, highlighted key challenges in researching innovative technologies and AI algorithms. His advice was clear: When selecting AI algorithms, ensure they are externally validated. This means the models have been evaluated and proven effective across environments and cow populations. Validation ensures the technology will perform reliably on your farm.
If a well-validated model doesn’t perform well on your farm, ask critical questions of the technology provider. Simply switching technologies may not resolve these challenges.
3. Accurate records are essential
There’s no substitute for good records – plain and simple. AI platforms and technologies rely heavily on accurate records and cattle histories. If disease definitions or data entries are inconsistent or inaccurate, the resulting insights and recommendations from AI or different technologies will be flawed. To unlock AI’s value, farmers must prioritize maintaining precise, consistent, detailed and timely records.
4. Calf and heifer technologies are the next frontier
Disease during the pre-weaning phase can significantly reduce first-lactation milk production, making early diagnosis and treatment of calfhood disease crucial. Precision livestock technologies for calves can assist with timely disease detection and intervention. One challenge with these systems is the variation in calf management practices across farms, such as differences in group versus individual housing or milk-feeding protocols. As machine learning and AI evolve, these technologies may adapt to specific farm management practices.
5. Maximize the technology you already have
The event’s final speaker, Walt Cooley, founder of The Cow Tech Report and editor with Progressive Dairy, delivered an important message: The solution to many challenges may not lie in new technology but in better use of existing tools. Cooley encouraged farmers and consultants to sit down with their teams and assess their current technologies. How are these tools being used? How could they be utilized more effectively? Optimizing existing tools – and designating a team member to manage and champion them – could be the key to unlocking their full potential. Perhaps appointing a “chief technology officer” for your dairy is worth considering? He also recommended asking technology providers about underutilized reports or features of the technologies you have on the farm. Technologies purchased years ago may now offer updated features of which you’re not aware. You’re already paying for the technology, so you might as well get the most bang for your buck.
Takeaways
Cooley’s final message really resonated: Cow sense and skilled cow managers are irreplaceable. Advancing technologies, including AI, will enhance the ability of good cow managers to excel even further. Individualized decision-making for cows will become more precise, interventions for struggling cows will be quicker, and the dairy industry’s efficiency will continue to improve.
Technology has always enabled the dairy industry to adapt and innovate – AI is no different. But we’re still learning how to unleash its full potential.
P.S. Just to demonstrate how quickly technology is moving – this article was written using voice-to-text dictation software and proofread by ChatGPT and Co-Pilot.
The newest feature on Bridgewater Dairy is a new digester. The farm is close to firing up its second-ever manure digester. The first burned methane to produce electricity and is due to be decommissioned. This second one will scrub methane and compress it on-site then move it by truck just a few miles off the farm to be injected into commercial CNG pipelines. Photo by Walt Cooley.
Ryan Braun from Ever.Ag explained how there are six likely outcomes from a dairy from performing dairy data analysis: make more money, save money, save time, improve processes, provide context and info to staff, and improve quality of life. Photo by Walt Cooley.
Dairyman Chris Weaver of Bridgewater Dairy gave a tour of his farm to field day participants. In the background is the farm’s own on-farm feed mill. Photo by Walt Cooley.
