DeLaval and John Deere have teamed up to create the Milk Sustainability Center. This digital platform helps farmers to improve the efficiency and sustainability of their operations. Something all farmers care about. But you’re probably wondering what makes this any different from other platforms. How will it save me time and money?
Sustainability is not just about protecting the environment; it encompasses social responsibility and profitability as well.
“The Milk Sustainability Center aims to help farmers evaluate the efficiency of their nutrient utilization, carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, and other critical metrics,” says Azocar. “By assessing the inputs and outputs of their systems, farmers can identify opportunities for increased efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.”
The centralization of data simplifies farmers’ daily tasks, allowing them to make more informed decisions. This leads to improved productivity and profitability. By measuring nutrient utilization efficiency and reducing environmental footprints, farmers become more sustainable. They also improve their resource use.
Plus Behavior Analysis Tool
In addition to the Milk Sustainability Center, DeLaval has developed the Plus Behavior Analysis Tool. This system is designed to help farmers understand and improve the behavior of their dairy animals, ultimately enhancing their herd management.
Azocar says, “The Plus Behavior Analysis Tool collects data every 2.2 seconds. It predicts critical aspects of animal behavior, such as heat cycles, optimal insemination times, rumination patterns, and eating behavior. These insights allow farmers to make informed decisions that can significantly impact their herd’s health and reproductive performance.”
This data is integrated into a model which provides farmers with a list of cows that may require attention and the specific reasons for their inclusion. Azocar says this tool has become an integral part of daily routines on many dairy farms, streamlining herd management and significantly reducing labor.