WEBVTT 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:12.400 Still relying on eyeballs and intuition to manage 00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:15.560 your herd? While you're doing that, your competition 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:18.339 is already light years ahead, banking serious 00:00:18.339 --> 00:00:21.800 cash with tech that sees what you can't. Welcome 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:24.039 to the Bullvine Podcast, where we're not here 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:26.739 to sugarcoat reality. Today, we're ripping the 00:00:26.739 --> 00:00:29.379 cover off six game -changing ID technologies 00:00:29.379 --> 00:00:32.719 that every single North American dairy farm needs 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:35.780 to be looking at right now. We're talking a proven 00:00:35.780 --> 00:00:39.640 17 % efficiency boost, cold hard cash benefits 00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:43.939 like $78 ,000 per 100 cows, and the kind of insights 00:00:43.939 --> 00:00:47.020 that spot a sick cow days before your best herdsman 00:00:47.020 --> 00:00:50.939 even blinks. This isn't about shiny toys. It's 00:00:50.939 --> 00:00:53.659 about survival and thriving in an industry where 00:00:53.659 --> 00:00:56.079 nearly two -thirds of U .S. farms have vanished 00:00:56.079 --> 00:00:59.299 while production soared. The question isn't if 00:00:59.299 --> 00:01:01.710 you should adopt. But how fast can you get on 00:01:01.710 --> 00:01:04.049 board before the tech train leaves you standing 00:01:04.049 --> 00:01:08.010 in the dust? So buckle up. We're about to explore 00:01:08.010 --> 00:01:11.469 how these innovations are redrawing the map of 00:01:11.469 --> 00:01:14.359 dairy profitability. Let's get into it. All right, 00:01:14.459 --> 00:01:17.099 you savvy dairy dynamos. Let's get straight to 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:19.959 brass tacks. Let's do it. Word on the barn floor, 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:22.140 and we've seen some serious data backing this 00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:25.459 up, is that dairy farms leveraging the latest 00:01:25.459 --> 00:01:28.379 in identification tech are seeing a whopping 00:01:28.379 --> 00:01:33.060 $78 ,000 extra jingling in their pockets. That's 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:36.819 per 100 cows. Per 100 cows. 78 ,000. That's not 00:01:36.819 --> 00:01:38.599 just chump change. That's the kind of figure 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:41.319 that makes you sit up and think, okay, am I missing 00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:43.359 a trick here? Absolutely. It's a huge number. 00:01:43.739 --> 00:01:45.400 The big question we're wrestling with today, 00:01:45.579 --> 00:01:47.579 and frankly, the one you should be chewing on 00:01:47.579 --> 00:01:51.019 right now, is this. Are you potentially leaving 00:01:51.019 --> 00:01:53.560 that kind of cash on the table? That's a barn 00:01:53.560 --> 00:01:55.659 burner of an opening, and it really throws a 00:01:55.659 --> 00:01:57.659 spotlight on the kind of financial firepower 00:01:57.659 --> 00:01:59.799 we're talking about. Yeah, it's serious money. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:02.859 We've been neck deep in the research, the articles, 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:04.739 all the good stuff about the tech that's not 00:02:04.739 --> 00:02:06.980 just changing the game in dairy, but rewriting 00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:10.419 the rules. So our job today. Our job today is 00:02:10.419 --> 00:02:13.180 to distill all that information into the real, 00:02:13.639 --> 00:02:15.979 actionable insights that matter to you, the folks 00:02:15.979 --> 00:02:18.379 out there running the dairies day in and day 00:02:18.379 --> 00:02:21.120 out. Think of this as your cheat sheet. Exactly. 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:23.979 Your cheat sheet to understanding what's truly 00:02:23.979 --> 00:02:26.939 cutting edge and more importantly, what's going 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:29.280 to deliver a tangible boost to your bottom line. 00:02:29.639 --> 00:02:31.620 Couldn't have said it better myself. This isn't 00:02:31.620 --> 00:02:33.939 some watered down overview for the newbies. No, 00:02:34.020 --> 00:02:35.879 definitely not. We know you're out there battling 00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:38.819 labor shortages, navigating market swings, and 00:02:38.819 --> 00:02:41.939 keeping a sharp eye on sustainability and animal 00:02:41.939 --> 00:02:45.080 well -being. Tough environment right now. So 00:02:45.080 --> 00:02:47.400 we're not going to insult your intelligence with 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:50.900 the basics. Instead, we're diving deep. proper 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:54.379 deep into the six key identification technologies 00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:58.120 that have moved beyond being fancy gadgets to 00:02:58.120 --> 00:03:01.159 become fundamental tools for profitability on 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:03.460 North American dairies. Right. Tools you need. 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:06.020 Our mission, to unpack these technologies, see 00:03:06.020 --> 00:03:08.039 how they're being used right here at home, and 00:03:08.039 --> 00:03:10.419 really drill down into the dollars and cents 00:03:10.419 --> 00:03:12.599 of getting on board versus sticking with the 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:15.259 old ways. And as we roll up our sleeves and get 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:17.680 into the specifics of these technologies, it's 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:20.020 crucial to keep the bigger picture in focus. 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:22.240 The context. Yeah. The dairy landscape across 00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:25.539 North America is evolving at warp speed. We're 00:03:25.539 --> 00:03:27.939 facing serious headwinds with finding good labor. 00:03:28.139 --> 00:03:30.319 Big challenge. Dealing with markets that can 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:32.479 be more unpredictable than a calf in a china 00:03:32.479 --> 00:03:35.520 shop. and responding to ever -increasing demands 00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:38.719 for sustainable practices and top -notch animal 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:41.639 care. It's a lot to juggle. In this environment, 00:03:41.879 --> 00:03:44.379 digital transformation isn't some trendy Silicon 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:47.360 Valley jargon. It's rapidly becoming the very 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:50.699 foundation for staying competitive and, frankly, 00:03:50.900 --> 00:03:53.560 staying in business. Amen to that. It's not just 00:03:53.560 --> 00:03:55.479 about keeping pace. It's about pulling ahead 00:03:55.479 --> 00:03:59.259 of the pack. Take Simon Lalonde in Quebec. running 00:03:59.259 --> 00:04:02.699 a 400 -cow operation, he's not just reading headlines 00:04:02.699 --> 00:04:05.259 about labor shortages. He's living it. Right. 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:07.500 Boots on the ground experience. But by adopting 00:04:07.500 --> 00:04:10.060 collar technology, he managed to trim his full 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:12.919 -time workforce from six down to four. So let 00:04:12.919 --> 00:04:15.360 that sink in. Wow. Six to four. That's a massive 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:18.079 saving right there. And the kicker, they're actually 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:20.600 getting more detailed health monitoring on their 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:22.560 herd than they could achieve with more boots 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:25.540 on the ground. That real -world example perfectly 00:04:25.540 --> 00:04:28.610 illustrates the broader trend we're seeing. The 00:04:28.610 --> 00:04:31.170 data from the U .S. Chamber of Commerce paints 00:04:31.170 --> 00:04:35.410 a stark picture of this labor crunch with a significant 00:04:35.410 --> 00:04:38.550 mismatch between the number of job openings and 00:04:38.550 --> 00:04:41.649 available workers. This isn't just a rural issue. 00:04:41.829 --> 00:04:44.670 It's a widespread challenge hitting agriculture 00:04:44.670 --> 00:04:48.389 hard. And it's this very pressure that's fueling 00:04:48.389 --> 00:04:50.769 the increasing demand for technologies that can 00:04:50.769 --> 00:04:52.790 help farmers maintain or even boost production 00:04:52.790 --> 00:04:55.920 with a leaner team. You see the ripple effect 00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:58.040 in the companies that support our industry, too. 00:04:58.199 --> 00:05:00.560 Oh, yeah. GEA Farm Technologies, for instance, 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:03.680 has witnessed such a surge in demand for their 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:06.480 rotary parlors, those big automated milking systems, 00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:08.860 that they've shifted more of their production 00:05:08.860 --> 00:05:11.779 stateside. Makes sense. Automation is key. As 00:05:11.779 --> 00:05:14.480 Matt Daly from GEA put it, farmers are increasingly 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:17.000 turning to these higher capacity automated systems 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:19.879 as a direct answer to the need to milk more cows 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:22.610 efficiently with less labor. What's particularly 00:05:22.610 --> 00:05:24.990 compelling is how far these ID technologies have 00:05:24.990 --> 00:05:28.110 come. We've gone way beyond simple systems for 00:05:28.110 --> 00:05:30.430 slapping a number on a cow for basic record keeping. 00:05:30.670 --> 00:05:33.370 Oh, miles beyond that. Today's systems create 00:05:33.370 --> 00:05:36.250 a comprehensive digital footprint for each animal. 00:05:36.529 --> 00:05:39.870 They are constantly collecting data that, when 00:05:39.870 --> 00:05:42.810 crunched effectively, delivers truly actionable 00:05:42.810 --> 00:05:45.829 insights. Like what kind of insights? Think about 00:05:45.829 --> 00:05:48.529 it from subtle shifts in chewing patterns that 00:05:48.529 --> 00:05:51.959 might signal an oncoming illness. Okay. To pinpoint 00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:54.540 accuracy in predicting when a cow is ready for 00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:57.339 breeding, these technologies are essentially 00:05:57.339 --> 00:06:00.480 acting as tireless, around -the -clock digital 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:04.259 herdspersons. A 247 digital eye on the herd. 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:07.199 Okay, let's dig a little deeper here. We've established 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:09.240 that the dairy landscape is shifting rapidly 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:11.620 and that technology is a key part of navigating 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:14.329 this change. Right. But where do you, our listener, 00:06:14.449 --> 00:06:16.930 see your own operation fitting into this picture? 00:06:17.129 --> 00:06:19.110 Are you the kind of producer who's always eager 00:06:19.110 --> 00:06:21.410 to try the latest innovation, or do you tend 00:06:21.410 --> 00:06:23.230 to take a more wait -and -see approach? That's 00:06:23.230 --> 00:06:24.910 where Eric Rodgers' diffusion of innovations 00:06:24.910 --> 00:06:27.870 model provides a really insightful lens. He identifies 00:06:27.870 --> 00:06:31.170 five categories of adopters. Ah, yes, the Rodgers 00:06:31.170 --> 00:06:33.589 curve. Starting with the innovators, the real 00:06:33.589 --> 00:06:35.470 risk -takers who are always chasing the next 00:06:35.470 --> 00:06:38.569 big thing. Then you have the early adopters. 00:06:39.019 --> 00:06:41.360 who are more strategic but still quick to embrace 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:45.060 technologies with proven potential. Okay. Following 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:47.959 them are the early majority and late majority, 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:50.720 who tend to be more pragmatic and adopt after 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:53.220 seeing widespread success and feeling the pressure 00:06:53.220 --> 00:06:56.060 to keep up. The bulk of folks, usually. Exactly. 00:06:56.459 --> 00:06:58.839 Finally, there are the laggards, who are often 00:06:58.839 --> 00:07:01.279 the most resistant to change and typically only 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:04.279 adopt when absolutely necessary. It's kind of 00:07:04.279 --> 00:07:06.259 funny. You can probably picture folks you know 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:08.139 who fit neatly into each of those categories, 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:10.199 can't you? Oh, definitely. We all know them. 00:07:10.279 --> 00:07:12.740 The neighbor who always has the newest gadget 00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:14.459 versus the one who's still running equipment 00:07:14.459 --> 00:07:17.759 that's older than you are. But beyond just personality 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:20.279 types, there are some real fundamental differences 00:07:20.279 --> 00:07:22.399 both in the structure of the farm and the way 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:24.740 the operator thinks that tend to separate these 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:28.500 groups, right? Absolutely. Research, like the 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:30.180 studies coming out of Wageningen University, 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:34.100 consistently shows that larger farms, Those with 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:36.480 a strong foothold in the market and operations 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:39.180 with greater financial flexibility tend to be 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:41.500 the ones leading the charge. Makes sense. More 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:44.579 resources. In adopting new technologies. Factors 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:47.180 like the age of the operator and the farm's financial 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:50.459 health can also play a significant role. However, 00:07:50.839 --> 00:07:53.800 and this is a really critical point, it's not 00:07:53.800 --> 00:07:55.980 just about the resources you have. It's also 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:58.889 about your approach. The mindset. Producers who 00:07:58.889 --> 00:08:01.670 actively seek out information, attend industry 00:08:01.670 --> 00:08:04.569 events, like maybe reading the bullvine, and 00:08:04.569 --> 00:08:07.089 are open to advice from external experts are 00:08:07.089 --> 00:08:09.930 far more likely to be among the innovators and 00:08:09.930 --> 00:08:12.589 early adopters. So it's not solely about the 00:08:12.589 --> 00:08:14.629 size of your bank account. It's also about having 00:08:14.629 --> 00:08:17.189 a forward -thinking mindset. But let's be honest, 00:08:17.269 --> 00:08:19.189 there's a definite competitive angle to all of 00:08:19.189 --> 00:08:21.050 this, isn't there? Exactly. As the saying goes, 00:08:21.290 --> 00:08:22.889 you don't have to have the latest technology, 00:08:23.209 --> 00:08:25.829 but you have to compete with those who do. That's 00:08:25.829 --> 00:08:28.430 the hard truth. And the significant consolidation 00:08:28.430 --> 00:08:30.889 we've witnessed in the U .S. dairy industry over 00:08:30.889 --> 00:08:33.549 the past generation really hammers this point 00:08:33.549 --> 00:08:37.009 home. We've seen two -thirds of dairy farms disappear, 00:08:37.230 --> 00:08:40.110 while total milk production actually increased 00:08:40.110 --> 00:08:42.889 by a third. That dramatic shift wasn't just a 00:08:42.889 --> 00:08:45.769 coincidence. It was largely driven by the ability 00:08:45.769 --> 00:08:49.480 of some operations to embrace efficiencies through 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:52.039 technology adapt or get left behind leaving those 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:55.159 who didn't adapt struggling to keep pace and 00:08:55.159 --> 00:08:57.600 ultimately many having to call it quits okay 00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:00.139 so we've laid the groundwork on why this is important 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:02.759 and where different folks might stand on the 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:05.639 adoption curve now let's get down to the nitty 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:07.960 -gritty and talk about the specific technologies 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:11.159 that are making waves let's do it and it seems 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:12.960 like the cornerstone for a lot of these advanced 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:15.299 systems is something that on the surface is pretty 00:09:15.299 --> 00:09:17.419 straightforward radio frequency identification 00:09:17.419 --> 00:09:22.559 or RFID. That's spot on. RFID is truly the foundational 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:25.580 layer upon which so much of modern herd management 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:27.539 and traceability is built. The bedrock. Across 00:09:27.539 --> 00:09:30.000 North America, from the dairy trace program up 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:32.899 in Canada to a multitude of state and industry 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:36.179 -led initiatives in the U .S., RFID provides 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:39.299 the essential infrastructure for uniquely identifying 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:41.919 every animal as it moves through the supply chain. 00:09:42.250 --> 00:09:44.110 And it's not just about knowing which Bessie 00:09:44.110 --> 00:09:47.110 is which, right? There are some real tangible 00:09:47.110 --> 00:09:50.649 financial benefits to ditching those old visual 00:09:50.649 --> 00:09:53.429 ear tags for a more sophisticated system. Absolutely. 00:09:53.450 --> 00:09:56.289 Dave Taylor at Progressive Dairy Solutions has 00:09:56.289 --> 00:09:59.610 seen this firsthand with a 150 -cow operation. 00:09:59.970 --> 00:10:02.450 What did they find? By implementing RFID coupled 00:10:02.450 --> 00:10:05.090 with automated readers, they saw a dramatic reduction 00:10:05.090 --> 00:10:07.490 in the number of misidentified animals, which 00:10:07.490 --> 00:10:10.450 were costing them around $11 ,500 annually. 11 00:10:10.450 --> 00:10:13.129 grand just from misidentification. But the benefits 00:10:13.129 --> 00:10:15.370 didn't stop there. They also experienced an 84 00:10:15.370 --> 00:10:19.129 % plunge in breeding errors. 84%. And a significant 00:10:19.129 --> 00:10:22.070 9 .2 -day reduction in their average days open. 00:10:22.210 --> 00:10:24.149 That's the time between calving and the next 00:10:24.149 --> 00:10:26.450 successful conception. Those are huge wins for 00:10:26.450 --> 00:10:29.149 both efficiency and the bottom line. Wow, those 00:10:29.149 --> 00:10:30.990 are some eye -popping. numbers. They really are. 00:10:31.149 --> 00:10:33.409 And it sounds like this isn't some fringe technology 00:10:33.409 --> 00:10:36.850 either. Not at all. Dr. Lars Nielsen from Aarhus 00:10:36.850 --> 00:10:39.570 University in Denmark points out that a significant 00:10:39.570 --> 00:10:44.090 73 % of dairy herds there are now using RFID 00:10:44.090 --> 00:10:46.330 integrated with other monitoring technologies 00:10:46.330 --> 00:10:50.169 as standard practice. 73 %? That's mainstream. 00:10:50.649 --> 00:10:53.210 Their research clearly shows that as you layer 00:10:53.210 --> 00:10:55.549 these technologies together, the precision of 00:10:55.549 --> 00:10:58.110 your management ramps up significantly. Right. 00:10:58.429 --> 00:11:00.870 And when RFID enables that crucial, accurate 00:11:00.870 --> 00:11:03.429 individual monitoring, they've even measured 00:11:03.429 --> 00:11:06.750 a direct correlation to increased milk yield 00:11:06.750 --> 00:11:11.269 a 0 .23 liters per day increase for every 0 .1 00:11:11.269 --> 00:11:13.990 unit improvement in rumen pH. Just from better 00:11:13.990 --> 00:11:16.269 monitoring. All thanks to more targeted individual 00:11:16.269 --> 00:11:19.399 attention enabled by that reliable ID. So for 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:21.299 the producers listening who are still using traditional 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:23.799 tags, what kind of investment are we actually 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:26.120 talking about to make the switch to RFID? It 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:28.179 can sound a bit daunting if you're used to just 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:30.820 clipping in a simple ear tag. The initial investment 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:33.940 for a basic RFID system is actually quite manageable 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:36.179 for most operations. You're typically looking 00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:38.840 at around $20 to $35 per cow. Per cow, okay. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:42.240 And that includes the RFID tags themselves, which 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:45.379 are only a few bucks a piece, the readers, which 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:48.299 can range from around $1 ,000 to $2 ,500, depending 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:50.580 on the level of automation you choose, and the 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:52.860 software integration to make it all work seamlessly. 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:55.720 And the payoff. The good news is that the vast 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:57.879 majority of producers see a return on this investment 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:00.759 within a relatively short window of 12 to 18 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:02.879 months. That's pretty quick. This comes from 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:04.879 those reduced breeding errors we talked about, 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:07.100 better management of those critical transition 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:09.720 cows, and increased overall efficiency in the 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:12.529 milking parlor. Makes sense. For a 200 -cow dairy, 00:12:12.769 --> 00:12:14.549 you might be looking at an initial outlay in 00:12:14.549 --> 00:12:18.269 the ballpark of $8 ,000 to $12 ,000, but the 00:12:18.269 --> 00:12:20.830 annual benefits, based on industry averages, 00:12:21.149 --> 00:12:25.110 can easily exceed $15 ,000. That payback timeline 00:12:25.110 --> 00:12:26.929 doesn't sound too scary at all, and you used 00:12:26.929 --> 00:12:29.289 a great analogy earlier comparing traditional 00:12:29.289 --> 00:12:32.809 ear tags to RFID with parley rotations. Ah, the 00:12:32.809 --> 00:12:35.929 sundial versus the clock. As the difference between... 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:39.860 trying to tell time with a sundial versus a modern 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:42.220 digital clock. You can certainly get by with 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:44.000 a sundial, but you're never going to have the 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:46.500 same level of precision and efficiency in managing 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:49.899 your time, or in this case, your herd. Exactly. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:52.940 And building on that solid foundation of individual 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:56.200 animal identification provided by RFID, we're 00:12:56.200 --> 00:12:58.220 now seeing even more cutting -edge technologies 00:12:58.220 --> 00:13:01.580 emerging that take things to a whole new level. 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:04.000 Oh, yeah. What's next? Like facial recognition 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:07.259 for cattle. Facial recognition for cows? Seriously, 00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:09.320 I thought that was just for unlocking my phone 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:11.379 and maybe catching the occasional rogue grocery 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:14.019 cart thief. Well, the core technology is similar, 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:16.500 but the application in the world of dairy farming 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:18.860 is proving to be incredibly innovative. I bet. 00:13:19.230 --> 00:13:21.169 These systems utilize sophisticated computer 00:13:21.169 --> 00:13:24.210 vision and artificial intelligence to identify 00:13:24.210 --> 00:13:26.870 individual cows based on their unique facial 00:13:26.870 --> 00:13:29.629 characteristics, completely eliminating the need 00:13:29.629 --> 00:13:32.730 for any physical ear tags whatsoever. Tagless 00:13:32.730 --> 00:13:34.990 ID. That sounds like something straight out of 00:13:34.990 --> 00:13:37.070 a sci -fi movie. How well does it actually work 00:13:37.070 --> 00:13:39.419 in a real -world dairy setting? Remarkably well, 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:41.840 actually. A lot of recent research has focused 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:44.419 on developing and refining these deep learning 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:47.039 network models, and one notable example is the 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:49.679 GPN model. Okay. These advanced algorithms have 00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:51.700 demonstrated significant improvements in accuracy 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:54.279 when it comes to correctly identifying individual 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:57.240 cows, even when dealing with less than ideal 00:13:57.240 --> 00:14:00.080 conditions like partial obstructions in view, 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:03.399 different camera angles, and variations in lighting. 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:06.509 So it's robust. These models are trained on massive 00:14:06.509 --> 00:14:10.090 data sets in one instance, over 130 ,000 images 00:14:10.090 --> 00:14:12.929 of 3 ,000 different cows, to create a really 00:14:12.929 --> 00:14:15.529 robust and reliable system. Think of these as 00:14:15.529 --> 00:14:17.909 highly sophisticated computer programs that learn 00:14:17.909 --> 00:14:20.450 to recognize patterns in images. Like our brains 00:14:20.450 --> 00:14:23.090 do. Much like how our brains learn to recognize 00:14:23.090 --> 00:14:25.470 faces, but on a massive scale with cow faces. 00:14:25.950 --> 00:14:28.570 So no more wrestling with a feisty heifer to 00:14:28.570 --> 00:14:31.070 replace a lost tag. That sounds like a pretty 00:14:31.070 --> 00:14:33.549 significant win in terms of both labor and stress 00:14:33.549 --> 00:14:35.690 on the animals right there. Huge win on that 00:14:35.690 --> 00:14:37.549 front. But are there other advantages beyond 00:14:37.549 --> 00:14:40.250 just going tagless? Absolutely. Melissa Burton 00:14:40.250 --> 00:14:42.669 at Birkdale Farms in Ontario shared a compelling 00:14:42.669 --> 00:14:45.169 example of the added value. What happened there? 00:14:45.409 --> 00:14:47.169 They installed cameras in their holding area 00:14:47.169 --> 00:14:49.649 and return alley, and their facial recognition 00:14:49.649 --> 00:14:53.230 system flagged a cow with an unusual gait a full 00:14:53.230 --> 00:14:55.909 three days before their experienced herdsmen 00:14:55.909 --> 00:14:58.889 noticed any outward signs of lameness. Three 00:14:58.889 --> 00:15:02.049 days early? Wow! Because they were able to intervene 00:15:02.049 --> 00:15:05.169 so early, they estimate they saved around $300 00:15:05.169 --> 00:15:07.789 in potential treatment costs and prevented approximately 00:15:07.789 --> 00:15:11.750 240 kilograms of lost milk production from that 00:15:11.750 --> 00:15:14.899 single animal. Just from one cow, one instance. 00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:17.299 Based on that type of early detection alone, 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:19.899 they calculated that the system paid for itself 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:23.379 in under eight months. That's incredible. Catching 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:25.480 a potential health issue that early in the game 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:27.600 can make a massive difference, not only in the 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:29.659 treatment outcome, but also in the cow's overall 00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:32.299 well -being and continued productivity. Precisely. 00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:34.580 And ongoing research at Cornell University's 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:37.440 Agricultural Systems Testbed is further exploring 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:39.620 the potential of combining facial recognition 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:42.700 technology with data from other on -farm sensors. 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:45.799 Layering the tech again. To create even more. 00:15:46.350 --> 00:15:48.450 comprehensive and proactive health management 00:15:48.450 --> 00:15:51.029 strategies, their findings indicate that these 00:15:51.029 --> 00:15:53.830 automated sensor systems can be just as effective, 00:15:53.889 --> 00:15:56.730 if not more so in some cases, than intensive 00:15:56.730 --> 00:15:58.850 human observation when it comes to identifying 00:15:58.850 --> 00:16:01.889 health issues. And less labor. But with a significantly 00:16:01.889 --> 00:16:04.549 reduced labor requirement. Okay, so what's the 00:16:04.549 --> 00:16:06.990 ballpark figure we're looking at for investing 00:16:06.990 --> 00:16:09.809 in this kind of cutting -edge tech? It's got 00:16:09.809 --> 00:16:12.110 to be a fair bit more substantial than a... basic 00:16:12.110 --> 00:16:14.830 RFID setup, right? You're correct. It does represent 00:16:14.830 --> 00:16:17.389 a larger initial investment. For a mid -sized 00:16:17.389 --> 00:16:19.490 area operation, you're typically looking at somewhere 00:16:19.490 --> 00:16:23.129 in the range of $15 ,000 to $25 ,000 for the 00:16:23.129 --> 00:16:26.169 complete system. Okay, 15 to 25K, what does that 00:16:26.169 --> 00:16:28.429 cover? This would include the necessary cameras, 00:16:28.590 --> 00:16:30.830 the server hardware to process the image data, 00:16:30.970 --> 00:16:33.350 and the software licensing fees, which may also 00:16:33.350 --> 00:16:35.610 include an annual subscription component. Right. 00:16:36.230 --> 00:16:38.950 However, while the upfront cost is higher than 00:16:38.950 --> 00:16:42.059 RFID, the substantial added value, particularly 00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:44.639 through that early and accurate detection of 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:47.279 lameness and other health problems, often leads 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:49.659 to a very compelling payback period, typically 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:53.360 falling within the 12 to 24 -month range. Many 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:55.679 operations are reporting average annual benefits 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:59.899 of around $9 ,400 per 100 cows, simply from being 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:01.860 able to intervene earlier and more effectively 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:05.640 when health challenges arise. So the key takeaway 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:07.799 with facial recognition seems to be that it's 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:10.160 not just about the convenience of going tagless. 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:12.220 No, it's more than that. It's about having a 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:14.680 system that's constantly and objectively watching 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:17.839 your herd, capable of spotting those subtle changes 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:20.400 in behavior or physical condition that even the 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:23.660 most experienced human eye might miss in the 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:26.359 very early stages. Exactly. It's about literally 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:29.519 seeing beyond the tag and gaining a level of 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:31.420 detailed insight into your herd's health and 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:33.680 well -being that simply wasn't attainable. with 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:35.859 traditional methods. Makes sense. And speaking 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:38.559 of gaining internal insights, let's now turn 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:41.680 our attention to rumen biosensors. Okay. Now, 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:43.220 this is where things get really fascinating. 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.640 We're talking about monitoring the health and 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:46.619 performance of your cows from the inside out. 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:49.059 Whoa, now we're getting into some serious high 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:52.099 -tech territory. Tiny devices living inside the 00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:54.539 cows. Spill the beans. These are essentially 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:57.740 small, inert, smart boluses. often referred to 00:17:57.740 --> 00:18:00.380 as rumen boluses or smart pills, that are safely 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:02.940 administered orally. Like giving them a big pill. 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:05.900 Pretty much. And then they reside in the reticulum, 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:08.980 which is part of the cow's stomach complex. These 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:11.559 ingenious devices continuously transmit real 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:14.619 -time data on crucial internal indicators like 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:17.740 body temperature, rumen pH levels, and even activity 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:19.839 patterns directly to the farm's management software 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:22.720 system. So what's the big deal about... keeping 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:25.460 tabs on rumen pH in particular. Why is that so 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:27.980 important? Rumen pH is a really critical indicator 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:30.619 of a cow's overall digestive health and efficiency. 00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:34.240 Acidosis, a condition where the rumen pH drops 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:36.960 below a healthy level, typically below 5 .6 for 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:39.369 an extended period. Yeah, acidosis. Big problem. 00:18:39.490 --> 00:18:41.829 Is a widespread and costly concern in dairy herds. 00:18:41.869 --> 00:18:45.109 A normal healthy rumen pH generally ranges from 00:18:45.109 --> 00:18:48.549 around 5 .5 to 7 .0. Okay. When the pH dips too 00:18:48.549 --> 00:18:51.130 low, it severely impairs the cow's ability to 00:18:51.130 --> 00:18:53.430 properly digest their feed, leading to reduced 00:18:53.430 --> 00:18:56.109 feed intake, decreased rumination, and ultimately 00:18:56.109 --> 00:18:58.549 a negative impact on milk production, nutrient 00:18:58.549 --> 00:19:01.109 absorption, and overall health. So these rumen 00:19:01.109 --> 00:19:03.470 molluses are like an early warning system for 00:19:03.470 --> 00:19:05.809 potential digestive upsets brewing inside the 00:19:05.809 --> 00:19:09.339 cow. Precisely. They provide a constant, near 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:12.460 real -time stream of data, allowing you to identify 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:16.279 instances of subclinical or even acute acidosis 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:19.119 long before any outward clinical signs become 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:21.339 visually apparent. Before you'd ever see it. 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:23.619 This table really helps to illustrate the key 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:27.359 parameters. In the normal rumen pH range, you 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:29.720 see consistent and healthy rumination and feed 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:32.500 intake. But as you move into subacute and then 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:35.240 acute acidosis, things go downhill. The pH level 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:37.900 drops. The amount of time the pH stays at those 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:40.720 lower levels increases. Feed intake becomes reduced 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:43.200 and often more erratic. And the amount of time 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:45.299 the cow spends chewing her cut rumination time 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:48.059 takes a significant nosedive. That makes perfect 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:50.400 sense. Being able to catch those subtle shifts 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:52.619 in internal conditions early on has got to be 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:54.960 a real game changer in terms of preventing more 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:56.779 serious health issues and production losses. 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:59.640 It really is. Do we have any real -world examples 00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:01.799 of this technology making a difference on a dairy 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:04.720 farm? We certainly do. Jean -Philippe Breton 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:08.180 of Ferme Breton in Quebec implemented rumen boluses 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:10.819 in his high -producing cows, which were experiencing 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:13.299 recurring bouts of acidosis. Okay, what were 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:15.859 his results? He had calculated that each clinical 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:19.579 case was costing him around $285 in terms of 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:21.759 lost milk production, direct treatment expenses, 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:25.299 and the added labor involved. Even with the more 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:28.220 insidious subclinical cases, they were observing 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:30.960 a noticeable dip in average daily milk yield 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:33.420 that wasn't linked to any other obvious symptoms. 00:20:34.269 --> 00:20:36.890 After implementing the rumen boluses, they saw 00:20:36.890 --> 00:20:39.730 a remarkable 63 % reduction in the number of 00:20:39.730 --> 00:20:41.670 clinical acidosis treatment cases they had to 00:20:41.670 --> 00:20:44.430 deal with. 63 % reduction. And were able to maintain 00:20:44.430 --> 00:20:46.970 a much more stable and healthier average rumen 00:20:46.970 --> 00:20:50.490 pH across the monitored group. He estimates that 00:20:50.490 --> 00:20:53.690 this translated to approximately $18 ,200 in 00:20:53.690 --> 00:20:57.150 annual savings for his 140 -cow group of high 00:20:57.150 --> 00:20:59.630 -producing animals. That's a... Pretty substantial 00:20:59.630 --> 00:21:02.170 return on investment right there. So what does 00:21:02.170 --> 00:21:04.230 the financial outlay look like for implementing 00:21:04.230 --> 00:21:07.190 these internal monitoring devices? Ruman boluses 00:21:07.190 --> 00:21:10.130 themselves typically cost in the range of $120 00:21:10.130 --> 00:21:14.089 to $180 per unit. Per bolus. Per bolus. There's 00:21:14.089 --> 00:21:16.089 also an initial investment required for the base 00:21:16.089 --> 00:21:18.289 station equipment and the necessary software 00:21:18.289 --> 00:21:20.950 integration, which is usually in the $3 ,000 00:21:20.950 --> 00:21:23.829 to $5 ,000 range. Okay, the infrastructure. Many 00:21:23.829 --> 00:21:26.009 farms will strategically start by focusing on 00:21:26.009 --> 00:21:28.069 their transition cows, those in the critical 00:21:28.069 --> 00:21:30.490 period around calving, or their highest producing 00:21:30.490 --> 00:21:32.970 animals. Target the highest risk or highest value 00:21:32.970 --> 00:21:35.990 animals first. Exactly. As these are often the 00:21:35.990 --> 00:21:38.009 most metabolically stressed and therefore most 00:21:38.009 --> 00:21:41.410 susceptible to issues like acidosis. For a 300 00:21:41.410 --> 00:21:44.880 -cow dairy, Outfitting the top 100 high -producing 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:47.279 animals might involve an initial investment of 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:50.259 somewhere between $15 ,000 and $22 ,000. Right. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:53.359 But the potential annual benefits, based on the 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:55.579 experiences we've seen, can easily be around 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:59.180 $13 ,000 per 100 monitored cows, leading to a 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:01.859 payback period that again falls within that attractive 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:04.990 12 - to 18 -month window. It really underscores 00:22:04.990 --> 00:22:07.490 this move from a reactive approach to a much 00:22:07.490 --> 00:22:09.650 more proactive style of management, doesn't it? 00:22:09.710 --> 00:22:12.009 Instead of waiting to observe a visibly sick 00:22:12.009 --> 00:22:15.410 cow, you're getting objective, real -time data 00:22:15.410 --> 00:22:18.089 about their internal health before those outward 00:22:18.089 --> 00:22:21.089 signs even manifest. Exactly. As the folks at 00:22:21.089 --> 00:22:23.509 Dairy Herd Magazine aptly put it, being able 00:22:23.509 --> 00:22:26.809 to continuously monitor these key internal indicators 00:22:26.809 --> 00:22:30.170 before any significant problems arise can save 00:22:30.170 --> 00:22:33.019 producers hundreds of dollars per cow. on an 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:35.819 annual basis. Hundreds per cow. And is rapidly 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:38.200 becoming an indispensable tool in modern dairy 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:41.039 management. Now, let's shift our focus from the 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:43.299 inside out to what's happening on the surface 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:45.759 with the increasing adoption of wearable collar 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:48.299 technologies. Ah, yes, the high -tech necklaces 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:50.319 that are becoming more and more common on dairy 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:52.779 farms. I've definitely seen these around. What 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:54.859 exactly do these collars typically track? These 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:56.920 aren't just fancy fashion accessories for cows. 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:59.960 They're actually comprehensive, data -gathering 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:02.799 powerhouses. Powerhouses, okay. Modern collar 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:04.720 technologies typically integrate a combination 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:07.859 of sophisticated sensors to track a cow's activity 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:10.880 levels giving you insights into things like restlessness, 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:13.480 which can indicate heat. Heat detection, got 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:16.140 it. along with rumination monitoring to assess 00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:18.460 their digestive health, and even temperature 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:21.079 sensing to provide early alerts for potential 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:24.519 fevers or other health issues. So activity, rumination, 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:28.119 temperature. It's essentially 247 real -time 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:30.700 oversight right there on their necks. So it's 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:33.259 kind of like a Fitbit for cows, but specifically 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:35.880 designed with a whole lot of agricultural intelligence 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:38.579 built right in. That's a pretty accurate and 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:41.420 easy -to -grasp analogy. And just like those 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:43.519 personal fitness trackers can alert you to subtle 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:45.539 changes in your sleep patterns or heart rate, 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:48.559 these collar -based systems can identify subtle 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:52.240 shifts in a cow's behavior or physiology that 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:54.680 might be indicative of an emerging health problem 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:57.640 days before you'd ever notice any visual symptoms. 00:23:57.859 --> 00:24:00.970 Days before again. That early detection seems 00:24:00.970 --> 00:24:03.730 key. This early detection is absolutely crucial 00:24:03.730 --> 00:24:07.009 for allowing timely intervention and can significantly 00:24:07.009 --> 00:24:09.190 reduce the need for more intensive or prolonged 00:24:09.190 --> 00:24:12.230 treatments, such as antibiotic use. We've heard 00:24:12.230 --> 00:24:13.930 quite a bit about these collar systems being 00:24:13.930 --> 00:24:15.829 a game changer when it comes to heat detection 00:24:15.829 --> 00:24:18.130 and improving reproductive efficiency, haven't 00:24:18.130 --> 00:24:21.410 we? Absolutely. Sander Peterman at Dutch Dairy 00:24:21.410 --> 00:24:24.809 in Wisconsin has seen a dramatic 90 % reduction 00:24:24.809 --> 00:24:27.589 in their reliance on traditional synchronization 00:24:27.589 --> 00:24:30.549 protocols for breeding. 90 % reduction in cinch 00:24:30.549 --> 00:24:32.869 protocols. Since they implemented cow manager 00:24:32.869 --> 00:24:36.029 ear sensor technology, which performs many of 00:24:36.029 --> 00:24:38.630 the same functions as these collar systems. And 00:24:38.630 --> 00:24:41.170 remarkably, their pregnancy rate has actually 00:24:41.170 --> 00:24:45.289 increased to an impressive 29%. Wow. Less intervention, 00:24:45.710 --> 00:24:48.450 better results. On top of that, they've also 00:24:48.450 --> 00:24:51.339 experienced. significant labor savings in terms 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:53.920 of animal care and a reduction in their overall 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:55.940 animal health costs. Those are some pretty compelling 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:58.299 results. What about examples where the primary 00:24:58.299 --> 00:25:00.599 focus of adopting collar technology was more 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:03.240 on the general health monitoring aspect? Ryan 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:06.039 Woodall at Millbrook Dairy Farm in Gulf, Ontario, 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:09.039 initially invested in collar technology primarily 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:12.099 for its heat detection capabilities. They recognized 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:14.000 they were missing a significant percentage of 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:16.819 cows coming into heat simply by relying on traditional 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:19.819 visual observation methods. to miss them. The 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:22.140 collar system effectively boosted their heat 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:25.640 detection submission rate from 51 % up to a much 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:28.859 more efficient 76%. That's a big jump, 51 to 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:31.779 76. Which directly translated into a 14 -day 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:34.339 reduction in their average days, open a metric 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:37.259 they estimate to be worth around $129 per cow 00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:39.839 annually to their operation. So the repro benefits 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:42.640 were clear. But what really surprised them was 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:44.920 the significant value they gained from the early 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:47.160 health alerts generated by the system. The unexpected 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:49.759 bonus. By being able to identify and address 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:52.220 minor health issues much earlier than they would 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:54.720 have otherwise, they've managed to reduce their 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:58.440 overall antibiotic usage by a remarkable 36%. 00:25:58.440 --> 00:26:02.180 36 % reduction in antibiotics. That's huge. So 00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:04.599 it's really a win -win scenario. Yeah. improved 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:06.720 reproductive performance leading to more pregnancies, 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:09.240 and a move towards a more proactive and potentially 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:11.619 less reliant approach to antibiotic treatments. 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:13.720 Exactly. That's something that resonates with 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:15.880 both producers and increasingly with consumers. 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:18.420 Exactly. And the investment in these comprehensive 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:21.039 activity monitoring systems typically ranges 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:25.099 from about $80 to $150 per cow for the individual 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:26.980 hardware components, the collars or ear tags. 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:30.319 Okay, $80 to $150 per head for the hardware. 00:26:30.829 --> 00:26:33.089 There's also an initial cost for the base station 00:26:33.089 --> 00:26:35.589 equipment that receives the data, and often an 00:26:35.589 --> 00:26:37.869 annual software licensing or subscription fee. 00:26:37.990 --> 00:26:41.369 Right, the ongoing costs. For a 200 -cow dairy, 00:26:41.630 --> 00:26:44.109 you might be looking at an initial outlay in 00:26:44.109 --> 00:26:47.769 the range of $18 ,000 to $35 ,000, along with 00:26:47.769 --> 00:26:50.309 an ongoing monthly subscription cost that could 00:26:50.309 --> 00:26:52.589 be somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 to $300. 00:26:52.930 --> 00:26:55.680 Okay, so a decent investment. However, the average 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:57.759 payback period is generally quite attractive, 00:26:57.960 --> 00:27:00.519 often falling between 8 and 14 months. Less than 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:02.720 a year, potentially. With many farms reporting 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:06.880 annual benefits of around $12 ,900 per 100 cows, 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:09.440 just from the improvements in reproductive performance 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:11.859 alone. And it sounds like these systems also 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:15.140 offer a significant and often overlooked benefit 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:17.640 in terms of improving the overall work -life 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:20.200 balance for dairy farmers. Absolutely. That's 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:22.640 a big one. Right. These collar systems essentially 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:25.619 act as that tireless, around -the -clock herds 00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:28.279 person, constantly monitoring your animals and 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:30.500 only alerting you when there's actually a specific 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:33.640 issue that requires your attention. Instead of 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:36.319 you having to constantly watch. Rather than requiring 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:39.460 you to spend countless hours every day on routine 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:41.519 visual observation. Okay, we've talked about 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:43.619 all the different sensors collecting this vast 00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:46.900 amount of data. The RFID tags, the cameras for 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:49.440 facial recognition, the rumen bolus. and the 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:51.619 smart collars. A lot of data points. But what 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:53.720 actually happens with all that raw information? 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:56.119 It sounds like it could be incredibly overwhelming 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:58.000 if you don't have a way to make sense of it all. 00:27:58.240 --> 00:28:01.220 That's precisely where the transformative power 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:04.359 of artificial intelligence, or AI, and machine 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:07.960 learning comes into play. Ah, AI. The brains 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:10.299 of the operation. These advanced technologies 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:12.819 take the massive streams of data generated by 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:15.839 these various ID and monitoring systems and transform 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:19.019 what would otherwise be a flood of simple metrics 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:21.940 into truly predictive and actionable insights 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:24.940 that enable proactive management decisions. So 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:26.980 it finds the patterns. It's all about tuning 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:30.980 potential data overload into real, tangible management 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:34.500 gold. So the AI is essentially the intelligent 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:36.559 brain that can sift through all the noise and 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:38.559 make sense of the subtle signals the cows are 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:40.319 sending through these technologies. Exactly. 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:42.859 And the market for farm management software that 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:45.099 integrates AI and machine learning capabilities 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:48.099 is experiencing rapid growth globally. Big market 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:50.559 growth. With projections reaching nearly $6 billion 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:55.200 by the year 2029. This significant growth really 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:58.019 underscores the increasing value that dairy producers 00:28:58.019 --> 00:29:01.359 are finding in leveraging these AI -powered solutions 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:03.960 on their farms. Can you give us some specific 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:06.779 practical examples of how AI machine learning 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:09.640 are being applied in this context of dairy herd 00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:11.859 management? Certainly. We've already touched 00:29:11.859 --> 00:29:14.220 on facial recognition, where sophisticated AI 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:17.220 algorithms analyze the images captured by cameras 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:20.180 to accurately identify individual cows. Right. 00:29:20.509 --> 00:29:22.710 In the realm of health monitoring, machine learning 00:29:22.710 --> 00:29:24.890 algorithms can analyze the continuous stream 00:29:24.890 --> 00:29:27.670 of data coming from rumen biosensors to detect 00:29:27.670 --> 00:29:30.369 the very early signs of conditions like acidosis. 00:29:30.430 --> 00:29:33.250 Based on those subtle patterns. Based on subtle 00:29:33.250 --> 00:29:35.950 and complex patterns in rumen pH, temperature 00:29:35.950 --> 00:29:38.410 fluctuations, and even changes in activity levels. 00:29:38.529 --> 00:29:41.450 Okay. What else? When it comes to reproduction 00:29:41.450 --> 00:29:44.440 management, AI can analyze the detailed activity 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:47.539 data collected by collar systems to more accurately 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:50.579 predict the optimal time for insemination by 00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:53.680 identifying even subtle behavioral changes associated 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:56.180 with estrus. Pinpointing breeding times. And 00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:58.759 in the area of feed efficiency, predictive analytics 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:01.619 powered by AI can be used to optimize ration 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:04.079 formulations based on individual cow needs and 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:06.500 performance data, leading to more efficient use 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:09.359 of feed resources. Tailored feeding. That's some 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:11.819 pretty sophisticated stuff. It almost sounds 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:14.039 like it would require a massive industrial -scale 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:16.680 operation to justify the cost and complexity 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:19.359 of implementing these kinds of AI -driven systems. 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:22.619 That's actually a common misconception. Research 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:25.279 conducted by Dr. Elsa Vassir at McGill University 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:28.420 has demonstrated that even mid -sized dairy operations, 00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:31.940 those milking in the range of 80 to 120 cows, 00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:34.440 So not just the mega -dairies. can realize a 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:36.740 very attractive return on investment often in 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:39.400 the neighborhood of 3 .9 to 1 within the first 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:43.160 year of implementation. Nearly 4 .1 ROI in year 00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:47.700 one. Wow. The key is to strategically choose 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:51.279 AI -powered systems that can seamlessly integrate 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:54.440 with your existing on -farm infrastructure and 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:56.579 to initially focus on those high -impact areas 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:58.880 that will yield the most immediate and significant 00:30:58.880 --> 00:31:02.019 benefits. Like repro and health. such as reproduction 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:04.779 and early detection of health issues. So it's 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:07.339 not necessarily about going all in on the biggest 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:09.579 and fanciest AI system right out of the gate. 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:11.720 No, struts mind. But rather about strategically 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:14.759 implementing the specific AI tools that will 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:17.700 give you the most bang for your buck in addressing 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:19.660 your farm's particular challenges and goals. 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:22.690 Exactly. And as the comprehensive digitizing 00:31:22.690 --> 00:31:25.289 dairy guide published by Ever .Edge rightly points 00:31:25.289 --> 00:31:27.589 out, the future of these interconnected digital 00:31:27.589 --> 00:31:30.009 solutions is increasingly focused on creating 00:31:30.009 --> 00:31:32.710 a more integrated and efficient value chain that 00:31:32.710 --> 00:31:35.069 extends beyond just the farm gate. Connecting 00:31:35.069 --> 00:31:37.369 the whole supply chain. Creating valuable synergies 00:31:37.369 --> 00:31:39.650 and efficiencies across the entire dairy supply 00:31:39.650 --> 00:31:42.029 chain. What kind of financial investment are 00:31:42.029 --> 00:31:44.710 we typically looking at for incorporating AI 00:31:44.710 --> 00:31:47.980 into a dairy operation? Is it a separate big 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:50.900 ticket item or is it often integrated into the 00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:53.400 software platforms we've already discussed? Often, 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:56.559 most significant costs associated with AI adoption 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:59.299 in dairy farming come in the form of annual software 00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:02.000 licensing fees, which can range anywhere from 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:06.480 around $5 ,000 to $15 ,000 per year. Okay. Annual 00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:09.589 software costs. Depending on the complexity and 00:32:09.589 --> 00:32:12.309 scope of the AI -powered features, there might 00:32:12.309 --> 00:32:14.849 also be some initial consulting fees for the 00:32:14.849 --> 00:32:17.049 initial setup and integration of these systems. 00:32:17.130 --> 00:32:19.170 Right, getting it set up. However, it's becoming 00:32:19.170 --> 00:32:21.230 increasingly common for technology providers 00:32:21.230 --> 00:32:24.710 to offer AI capabilities as an integrated component 00:32:24.710 --> 00:32:27.329 of their standard subscription packages, sometimes 00:32:27.329 --> 00:32:30.250 for a relatively modest per -cow, per -month 00:32:30.250 --> 00:32:32.470 fee, perhaps in the range of $3 to $5. So it 00:32:32.470 --> 00:32:33.890 might just be part of the package you already 00:32:33.890 --> 00:32:37.240 have or are considering? Exactly. The substantial 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:39.799 value you gain in return. through things like 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:42.359 proactive predictive health alerts, optimized 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:44.880 culling decisions based on data -driven insights, 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:48.339 and more precise reproductive timing typically 00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:51.039 leads to a very reasonable payback period. How 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:53.740 quick. Often in the range of just six to 12 months. 00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:57.640 Six months to a year payback. That's fast. It 00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:59.720 really sounds like AI is taking a lot of the 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:01.920 traditional guesswork out of many critical management 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:04.839 decisions on the dairy. It truly does. It essentially 00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:08.240 amplifies the farmer's existing expertise by 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.980 being able to Being able to analyze incredibly 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:12.940 complex patterns within the vast amounts of data 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:15.660 being generated. Patterns humans can't see. Patterns 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:18.539 that no human could realistically track and accurately 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:20.980 interpret on their own. It's all about empowering 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:23.019 producers to make more informed, data -driven 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:25.619 decisions for a healthier, more productive and 00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:27.579 ultimately more profitable herd. Makes sense. 00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:30.460 Empowering the farmer. And speaking of data and 00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:32.859 its security and integrity, let's now turn our 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:34.680 attention to the potential role of blockchain 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:36.980 technology in the dairy industry. Blockchain. 00:33:37.529 --> 00:33:39.549 Isn't that the underlying technology behind all 00:33:39.549 --> 00:33:42.410 the cryptocurrency buzz? What in the world does 00:33:42.410 --> 00:33:45.390 that have to do with our four -legged friends? 00:33:45.789 --> 00:33:47.809 You're absolutely right. Blockchain is the core 00:33:47.809 --> 00:33:50.569 technology that underpins many cryptocurrencies. 00:33:50.890 --> 00:33:54.269 But its fundamental function, creating a secure, 00:33:54.430 --> 00:33:57.410 transparent, and virtually immutable record of 00:33:57.410 --> 00:34:00.319 data. Immutable meaning. It can't be changed. 00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:03.160 Exactly. Can't be altered or tampered with. It 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:05.960 has some really significant and potentially game 00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:07.960 -changing implications for the dairy industry. 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:10.820 It's essentially a shared digital ledger. A shared 00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:13.239 ledger. Okay. Ensuring a high degree of data 00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:14.960 integrity and traceability throughout the entire 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:18.099 supply chain from the farm all the way to the 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:20.659 consumer. So how would a technology like blockchain 00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:23.719 actually benefit a dairy farmer in their day 00:34:23.719 --> 00:34:27.429 -to -day operations? For dairy processors across 00:34:27.429 --> 00:34:29.710 North America, there's a growing demand from 00:34:29.710 --> 00:34:32.050 consumers for greater transparency and accountability 00:34:32.050 --> 00:34:34.710 regarding where their food comes from and how 00:34:34.710 --> 00:34:37.190 it's produced. Consumers want to know more. Blockchain 00:34:37.190 --> 00:34:40.489 technology provides a powerful solution by allowing 00:34:40.489 --> 00:34:43.510 the tracking of virtually every step in the production 00:34:43.510 --> 00:34:47.389 process, from the feed a cow consumes to any 00:34:47.389 --> 00:34:49.510 medications they might receive. Every single 00:34:49.510 --> 00:34:51.670 input. All the way through to the processing 00:34:51.670 --> 00:34:55.300 and packaging of the final milk product. creating 00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:58.340 an unbroken and verifiable chain of custody that 00:34:58.340 --> 00:35:00.679 can be readily accessed and trusted by consumers. 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:03.159 That certainly makes sense from a consumer trust 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:05.800 perspective, but are there any direct financial 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:08.400 benefits for the farmers themselves for adopting 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:11.460 blockchain technology? Absolutely. Bill Van Ness 00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:14.239 at Cottonwood Holsteins in Ontario offers a great 00:35:14.239 --> 00:35:16.440 real -world example. What's it doing? He's currently 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:19.619 receiving a premium of $0 .04 per liter for his 00:35:19.619 --> 00:35:22.400 milk because he utilizes a blockchain -based 00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:25.619 system to meticulously document all of his on 00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:28.380 -farm production protocols. $0 .04 a liter premium? 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:30.719 From feeding practices to animal health treatments 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:33.219 and milking procedures. This provides the specialty 00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:36.360 dairy processors he sells to with a fully transparent 00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:39.099 and verifiable record that they can then share 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:41.079 with their increasingly discerning customers. 00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:43.940 That verification is worth money. For his 250 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:47.340 cow herd, that premium translates to roughly 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:51.579 $105 ,000 in additional revenue annually. That's 00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:54.650 a pretty substantial premium. Is implementing 00:35:54.650 --> 00:35:57.869 blockchain technology a huge and costly undertaking 00:35:57.869 --> 00:36:00.389 for an individual dairy farmer? It can actually 00:36:00.389 --> 00:36:02.630 vary quite a bit depending on the specific scope 00:36:02.630 --> 00:36:04.710 and scale of implementation. Depends on the setup. 00:36:05.389 --> 00:36:07.690 If you're participating in a blockchain initiative 00:36:07.690 --> 00:36:10.550 that's being led or mandated by a dairy processor 00:36:10.550 --> 00:36:13.809 or a larger cooperative, the direct cost to the 00:36:13.809 --> 00:36:15.869 individual farmer might be relatively minimal. 00:36:16.230 --> 00:36:18.030 Might not cost much if the processor handles 00:36:18.030 --> 00:36:21.010 it. However, for a more comprehensive on -farm 00:36:21.010 --> 00:36:23.329 blockchain system designed to track and manage 00:36:23.329 --> 00:36:26.070 a wider range of data, you could be looking at 00:36:26.070 --> 00:36:28.329 an initial setup investment ranging from around 00:36:28.329 --> 00:36:31.230 $10 ,000 to $30 ,000. Okay, $10 ,000 to $30 ,000 00:36:31.230 --> 00:36:33.030 for an on -farm system. Along with potential 00:36:33.030 --> 00:36:35.449 ongoing annual maintenance and software subscription 00:36:35.449 --> 00:36:38.789 costs. The real value proposition, though, often 00:36:38.789 --> 00:36:41.130 lies in gaining access to those premium markets 00:36:41.130 --> 00:36:43.710 where consumers are willing to pay more for dairy 00:36:43.710 --> 00:36:45.969 products with verified production practices. 00:36:46.329 --> 00:36:48.469 Accessing those premiums. These premiums can 00:36:48.469 --> 00:36:51.150 range from below their note two cents to zero 00:36:51.150 --> 00:36:53.889 six cents per liter, which can add up significantly. 00:36:54.789 --> 00:36:57.650 Beyond direct premiums, blockchain can also enhance 00:36:57.650 --> 00:37:00.369 your own internal management capabilities by 00:37:00.369 --> 00:37:03.210 providing a highly secure and auditable record 00:37:03.210 --> 00:37:05.960 of all your farm data. And tying it back to some 00:37:05.960 --> 00:37:07.760 of the other cutting edge technologies we've 00:37:07.760 --> 00:37:10.420 discussed, such as room and pH monitoring, it 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:12.280 sounds like blockchain could be an incredibly 00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:14.840 powerful tool for providing verifiable proof 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:17.460 of responsible and sustainable farming practices 00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:21.119 to consumers. Exactly. Imagine being able to 00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:23.860 provide irrefutable, tamper -proof evidence of 00:37:23.860 --> 00:37:26.920 your responsible antibiotic usage protocols or 00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:29.000 your unwavering commitment to animal welfare 00:37:29.000 --> 00:37:31.780 through immutable records stored on a blockchain. 00:37:32.039 --> 00:37:34.440 Proof positive. That level of transparency. can 00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:36.500 be instrumental in building and maintaining consumer 00:37:36.500 --> 00:37:38.800 trust and potentially opening up new and more 00:37:38.800 --> 00:37:40.619 lucrative market opportunities for your dairy 00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:42.260 products. You've covered an incredible amount 00:37:42.260 --> 00:37:43.780 of ground here talking about all these truly 00:37:43.780 --> 00:37:46.219 transformative technologies, but it can't all 00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:47.880 be smooth sailing when it comes to adoption, 00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:50.210 right? No, definitely not. What are some of the 00:37:50.210 --> 00:37:52.750 key hurdles or challenges that are currently 00:37:52.750 --> 00:37:56.010 hindering a more widespread uptake of these advanced 00:37:56.010 --> 00:37:58.530 systems on dairy farms? You're absolutely right. 00:37:58.630 --> 00:38:00.989 Despite the very clear and compelling benefits 00:38:00.989 --> 00:38:03.590 we've discussed, there are definitely several 00:38:03.590 --> 00:38:06.469 significant barriers that can slow down the adoption 00:38:06.469 --> 00:38:09.989 process. Financial constraints are a major one. 00:38:10.090 --> 00:38:12.829 The cost, yeah. As Manuel Soares from Milk Group 00:38:12.829 --> 00:38:15.360 aptly pointed out, Investing in these advanced 00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:17.420 technologies requires a significant amount of 00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:20.460 upfront capital. And not all dairy farmers, particularly 00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:22.960 smaller operations, are in a financial position 00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:24.880 to make those kinds of substantial investments. 00:38:25.219 --> 00:38:27.519 We've also touched on the potential complexities 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:30.519 of data integration, haven't we? It sounds like 00:38:30.519 --> 00:38:32.300 having a bunch of different systems that don't 00:38:32.300 --> 00:38:34.039 talk to each other can create more headaches 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:37.280 than solutions. Precisely. Bethany Dishbande 00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:40.420 from... SomaDetect highlighted the very real 00:38:40.420 --> 00:38:43.260 issue of data confusion, where a farm might have 00:38:43.260 --> 00:38:45.699 multiple different data tracking systems in place. 00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:48.900 Data silos. Perhaps one for milking parlor data, 00:38:49.059 --> 00:38:51.880 another for health records, and yet another for 00:38:51.880 --> 00:38:54.840 feed management. And these systems often don't 00:38:54.840 --> 00:38:56.679 communicate or share information effectively. 00:38:57.179 --> 00:39:00.070 Nightmare to manage. In some cases, they might 00:39:00.070 --> 00:39:02.250 even be collecting similar data points but in 00:39:02.250 --> 00:39:05.610 incompatible formats, making it incredibly difficult 00:39:05.610 --> 00:39:08.389 for the producer to get a comprehensive and unified 00:39:08.389 --> 00:39:10.869 picture of what's actually happening across their 00:39:10.869 --> 00:39:12.960 entire herd. And I can certainly imagine that 00:39:12.960 --> 00:39:15.820 in many rural areas, something as fundamental 00:39:15.820 --> 00:39:18.900 as reliable and high speed Internet connectivity 00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:22.739 could be a major roadblock to implementing some 00:39:22.739 --> 00:39:24.940 of these cloud based technologies. That's a really 00:39:24.940 --> 00:39:28.159 significant and often overlooked challenge in 00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:30.679 many key dairy farming regions. Rural Internet 00:39:30.679 --> 00:39:33.699 can be tough. Many of these advanced software 00:39:33.699 --> 00:39:36.559 platforms and data analytics tools rely heavily 00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:39.139 on a stable and high speed Internet connection 00:39:39.139 --> 00:39:42.309 to function effectively. So in areas where broadband 00:39:42.309 --> 00:39:45.269 infrastructure is lacking or unreliable, the 00:39:45.269 --> 00:39:47.449 practical effectiveness of these otherwise powerful 00:39:47.449 --> 00:39:49.869 technologies can be severely limited. Need that 00:39:49.869 --> 00:39:52.510 connection. Access to timely and knowledgeable 00:39:52.510 --> 00:39:54.829 technical support is another critical factor. 00:39:55.050 --> 00:39:57.590 When these complex systems encounter technical 00:39:57.590 --> 00:40:00.769 glitches or require updates, farmers need to 00:40:00.769 --> 00:40:02.429 be able to get prompt and effective assistance. 00:40:02.949 --> 00:40:05.510 Good support is crucial. Which isn't always readily 00:40:05.510 --> 00:40:09.139 available in rural areas. And let's not forget 00:40:09.139 --> 00:40:12.800 the inherent human element. There's often a natural 00:40:12.800 --> 00:40:16.260 degree of resistance to change. The we've always 00:40:16.260 --> 00:40:18.960 done it this way factor. Some producers simply 00:40:18.960 --> 00:40:21.380 preferring the traditional methods they've used 00:40:21.380 --> 00:40:23.739 and are comfortable with for generations. So 00:40:23.739 --> 00:40:26.260 it sounds like it's a complex interplay of financial 00:40:26.260 --> 00:40:29.059 limitations, technical challenges, infrastructure 00:40:29.059 --> 00:40:31.820 gaps, and even some cultural factors that can 00:40:31.820 --> 00:40:34.119 collectively slow down the pace of adoption despite 00:40:34.119 --> 00:40:36.800 the very clear potential benefits. It's multifaceted, 00:40:36.900 --> 00:40:38.960 for sure. But when you really boil it all down 00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:40.860 and stack up the potential costs of sticking 00:40:40.860 --> 00:40:43.360 with more traditional methods versus embracing 00:40:43.360 --> 00:40:46.340 these advanced identification technologies, what 00:40:46.340 --> 00:40:48.780 does the overall... bottom line comparison look 00:40:48.780 --> 00:40:51.800 like for a typical dairy operation? The difference 00:40:51.800 --> 00:40:53.539 is actually quite striking when you start to 00:40:53.539 --> 00:40:56.059 quantify the potential gains. When you directly 00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:58.659 compare traditional animal identification methods 00:40:58.659 --> 00:41:01.980 with a modern RFID system coupled with automated 00:41:01.980 --> 00:41:05.380 readers. RFID versus old tags. You're looking 00:41:05.380 --> 00:41:07.239 at potential annual benefits in the neighborhood 00:41:07.239 --> 00:41:10.619 of $7 ,700 per 100 cows, primarily through the 00:41:10.619 --> 00:41:12.920 reduction of costly errors and the streamlining 00:41:12.920 --> 00:41:16.369 of labor. Okay, $7 ,700 for ID. In the realm 00:41:16.369 --> 00:41:18.690 of health monitoring, the leap from relying solely 00:41:18.690 --> 00:41:21.650 on visual observation to implementing rumen boluses 00:41:21.650 --> 00:41:24.269 and smart collar technology can yield approximately 00:41:24.269 --> 00:41:28.309 $13 ,000 in annual benefits per 100 cows. $13 00:41:28.309 --> 00:41:30.949 ,000 for health monitoring. Through earlier detection 00:41:30.949 --> 00:41:33.610 and more effective intervention. When it comes 00:41:33.610 --> 00:41:35.630 to heat detection, transitioning from traditional 00:41:35.630 --> 00:41:37.670 methods like tail chalk and visual observation 00:41:37.670 --> 00:41:40.389 to automated activity monitoring systems can 00:41:40.389 --> 00:41:43.590 offer around $12 ,900 in annual benefits per 00:41:43.590 --> 00:41:46.150 100 cows. Nearly $13 ,000 for heat detection. 00:41:46.449 --> 00:41:48.429 It's largely due to improved conception rates 00:41:48.429 --> 00:41:51.309 and reduced days open. Even in an area like lameness 00:41:51.309 --> 00:41:53.650 detection, utilizing computer vision systems 00:41:53.650 --> 00:41:56.510 versus subjective visual scoring can save you 00:41:56.510 --> 00:41:59.349 approximately $9 ,400 per 100 cows annually. 00:41:59.849 --> 00:42:02.550 Over $9 ,000 for lameness. Through earlier and 00:42:02.550 --> 00:42:05.010 more accurate identification of affected animals. 00:42:05.250 --> 00:42:07.769 The efficiency gains realized by moving from 00:42:07.769 --> 00:42:09.969 manual record keeping to fully integrated data 00:42:09.969 --> 00:42:13.090 management systems can free up a staggering $24 00:42:13.090 --> 00:42:17.440 ,500 in labor costs. per 100 cows. Whoa, nearly 00:42:17.440 --> 00:42:20.780 25K just in labor efficiency. And finally, even 00:42:20.780 --> 00:42:22.639 accessing premium markets through blockchain 00:42:22.639 --> 00:42:24.820 verified production practices can potentially 00:42:24.820 --> 00:42:28.780 add another $10 ,500 per 100 cows in annual revenue. 00:42:29.059 --> 00:42:31.559 10 and a half from premiums. When you tally up 00:42:31.559 --> 00:42:33.340 all these potential benefits across these key 00:42:33.340 --> 00:42:35.980 areas, the total annual financial advantage of 00:42:35.980 --> 00:42:38.320 embracing these advanced ID technologies can 00:42:38.320 --> 00:42:41.400 easily reach the ballpark of $78 ,000 per 100 00:42:41.400 --> 00:42:44.780 cows. Wow, that $78 ,000 figure, we tick things 00:42:44.780 --> 00:42:46.960 off. off with really comes into sharp focus now. 00:42:47.019 --> 00:42:50.139 It's the sum of all these parts. And as our esteemed 00:42:50.139 --> 00:42:52.440 colleagues over at the Bullvine would emphatically 00:42:52.440 --> 00:42:55.059 state, if you're still sitting on the fence and 00:42:55.059 --> 00:42:57.139 debating whether or not to adopt these technologies, 00:42:57.360 --> 00:42:59.820 you're not just standing still, you're actively 00:42:59.820 --> 00:43:02.400 falling behind the curve. That's a very direct 00:43:02.400 --> 00:43:05.739 but ultimately accurate assessment of the current 00:43:05.739 --> 00:43:08.989 situation. While some producers might have hesitated 00:43:08.989 --> 00:43:11.250 on adopting early activity monitoring systems 00:43:11.250 --> 00:43:15.150 just a few years ago, those who took the plunge 00:43:15.150 --> 00:43:18.369 are now reaping significant rewards in terms 00:43:18.369 --> 00:43:21.030 of improved reproductive efficiency and reduced 00:43:21.030 --> 00:43:24.050 costs. And while others are only now beginning 00:43:24.050 --> 00:43:26.989 to consider the benefits of basic collar technology, 00:43:27.429 --> 00:43:29.630 still playing catch -up. The earlier doctors 00:43:29.630 --> 00:43:32.090 in that space are already exploring the next 00:43:32.090 --> 00:43:35.489 level of sophistication with fully AI -integrated 00:43:35.489 --> 00:43:38.690 data analytics to drive even more proactive and 00:43:38.690 --> 00:43:41.269 precise management decisions. It's a bit of an 00:43:41.269 --> 00:43:43.769 uncomfortable truth for some, perhaps, but the 00:43:43.769 --> 00:43:46.130 data really doesn't lie the stark reality of 00:43:46.130 --> 00:43:47.949 the massive consolidation we've seen in the U 00:43:47.949 --> 00:43:50.590 .S. dairy industry. The numbers are stark. A 00:43:50.590 --> 00:43:54.210 staggering 63 % drop in the number of dairy farms, 00:43:54.329 --> 00:43:57.929 alongside a 33 % increase in total milk production 00:43:57.929 --> 00:44:01.889 between 2003 and 2023, really underscores the 00:44:01.889 --> 00:44:04.130 critical importance of maximizing efficiency 00:44:04.130 --> 00:44:06.670 in today's competitive market. And technology 00:44:06.670 --> 00:44:09.590 is undeniably a major driving force behind that 00:44:09.590 --> 00:44:12.150 increased efficiency. Absolutely. And while nobody 00:44:12.150 --> 00:44:14.630 is suggesting that every single dairy farm needs 00:44:14.630 --> 00:44:17.110 to rush out and implement all six of these advanced 00:44:17.110 --> 00:44:19.969 technologies overnight, Not all at once. Embracing 00:44:19.969 --> 00:44:22.030 a progressive and strategic approach to adoption 00:44:22.030 --> 00:44:25.090 is becoming increasingly crucial for long -term 00:44:25.090 --> 00:44:27.269 viability and success in the industry. Strategic 00:44:27.269 --> 00:44:30.090 steps. The economic realities are shifting. With 00:44:30.090 --> 00:44:32.650 ever -rising labor costs and the undeniably superior 00:44:32.650 --> 00:44:34.909 monitoring capabilities offered by these integrated 00:44:34.909 --> 00:44:37.349 systems, the real question is no longer whether 00:44:37.349 --> 00:44:39.190 you can afford to invest in this technology. 00:44:39.449 --> 00:44:41.170 It's flipped. It's increasingly becoming where 00:44:41.170 --> 00:44:43.469 you can afford not to. It truly does feel like 00:44:43.469 --> 00:44:45.889 we're at a significant tipping point in the evolution 00:44:45.889 --> 00:44:48.599 of dairy farming. We've seen how advancements 00:44:48.599 --> 00:44:50.500 in genetics and traditional management practices 00:44:50.500 --> 00:44:53.000 have historically led to impressive doublings 00:44:53.000 --> 00:44:55.679 in milk production per cow. Right. Huge gains 00:44:55.679 --> 00:44:57.820 there. But it's becoming clear that that next 00:44:57.820 --> 00:45:00.860 major leap forward, that next doubling of productivity, 00:45:01.099 --> 00:45:04.280 is going to be largely powered by the precision 00:45:04.280 --> 00:45:06.900 management that these cutting -edge digital technologies 00:45:06.900 --> 00:45:09.820 enable. Absolutely. Precision is the future. 00:45:10.179 --> 00:45:13.469 The core message from the bovine is clear. The 00:45:13.469 --> 00:45:15.869 six key identification and monitoring technologies 00:45:15.869 --> 00:45:19.250 we've thoroughly discussed today, RFID, facial 00:45:19.250 --> 00:45:22.849 recognition, Ruman boluses, smart collars, artificial 00:45:22.849 --> 00:45:26.070 intelligence, and blockchain, are no longer futuristic 00:45:26.070 --> 00:45:28.949 concepts. They are delivering tangible and measurable 00:45:28.949 --> 00:45:31.929 benefits right now for North American dairy producers 00:45:31.929 --> 00:45:34.449 who are facing the very real challenges of today's 00:45:34.449 --> 00:45:36.780 industry. Benefits are here and now. The data 00:45:36.780 --> 00:45:38.519 overwhelmingly supports their effectiveness, 00:45:38.840 --> 00:45:41.800 showing significant reductions in animal misidentification, 00:45:42.119 --> 00:45:44.619 impressive accuracy in tagless identification, 00:45:45.079 --> 00:45:47.659 substantial cuts in treatment costs through early 00:45:47.659 --> 00:45:50.059 detection, dramatically improved heat detection 00:45:50.059 --> 00:45:53.380 rates, better overall conception rates, and even 00:45:53.380 --> 00:45:56.900 access to valuable premium markets. And those 00:45:56.900 --> 00:45:59.179 industry consolidation statistics we mentioned 00:45:59.179 --> 00:46:01.659 earlier are really hard to ignore. Very hard. 00:46:01.800 --> 00:46:04.880 A 33 % jump in total milk production, coupled 00:46:04.880 --> 00:46:08.039 with a 63 % decrease in the number of herds in 00:46:08.039 --> 00:46:12.079 the U .S. between 2003 and 2023, powerfully illustrates 00:46:12.079 --> 00:46:14.860 how technology is allowing fewer farms to produce 00:46:14.860 --> 00:46:17.960 significantly more milk. Fewer farms, more milk. 00:46:18.079 --> 00:46:20.929 Driven by tech. And while larger operations have 00:46:20.929 --> 00:46:22.570 certainly benefited from these advancements, 00:46:22.630 --> 00:46:24.710 it's important to emphasize that these technologies 00:46:24.710 --> 00:46:27.110 are becoming increasingly accessible and beneficial 00:46:27.110 --> 00:46:30.150 for dairy operations of all sizes. That's a really 00:46:30.150 --> 00:46:32.250 critical point to underscore. Whether you're 00:46:32.250 --> 00:46:35.130 milking 80 cows or 8 ,000, the potential return 00:46:35.130 --> 00:46:37.010 on investment from strategically implementing 00:46:37.010 --> 00:46:39.610 these systems is often very compelling. Good 00:46:39.610 --> 00:46:41.969 ROI across the board. With the vast majority 00:46:41.969 --> 00:46:44.510 of these technologies paying for themselves within 00:46:44.510 --> 00:46:46.869 that 8 to 16 month time frame we've consistently 00:46:46.869 --> 00:46:49.730 seen in the data. As the bullvine so rightly 00:46:49.730 --> 00:46:51.789 emphasizes, you don't have to have the latest 00:46:51.789 --> 00:46:54.070 technology, but you absolutely have to be able 00:46:54.070 --> 00:46:56.670 to effectively compete with those who do. Compete 00:46:56.670 --> 00:46:59.829 or struggle. That's the stark reality of today's 00:46:59.829 --> 00:47:02.150 challenging and rapidly evolving dairy market. 00:47:02.329 --> 00:47:05.210 The future undoubtedly belongs to those producers 00:47:05.210 --> 00:47:08.110 who embrace this ongoing digital transformation 00:47:08.110 --> 00:47:11.510 to create more productive, more efficient, and 00:47:11.510 --> 00:47:13.670 ultimately more sustainable dairy operations. 00:47:14.030 --> 00:47:15.929 So to really distill it down for our listeners, 00:47:16.130 --> 00:47:17.760 what are some of the key takeaways? takeaways 00:47:17.760 --> 00:47:19.900 that we should all be sure to remember from this 00:47:19.900 --> 00:47:22.920 deep dive into dairy ID technologies. Okay, key 00:47:22.920 --> 00:47:25.539 points. We've seen that wearable collar systems 00:47:25.539 --> 00:47:28.739 can lead to a dramatic 90 % reduction in the 00:47:28.739 --> 00:47:30.960 need for synchronization protocols in breeding 00:47:30.960 --> 00:47:33.860 programs, while simultaneously maintaining strong 00:47:33.860 --> 00:47:36.539 and even improved pregnancy rates. Big repro 00:47:36.539 --> 00:47:39.199 gains from collars. Rumen biosensors are proving 00:47:39.199 --> 00:47:41.400 incredibly effective at cutting the incidence 00:47:41.400 --> 00:47:44.659 of costly acidosis cases, helping producers maintain 00:47:44.659 --> 00:47:47.059 a healthier average rumen pH in their herds. 00:47:48.600 --> 00:47:51.119 Fascial recognition technology is providing that 00:47:51.119 --> 00:47:54.079 crucial early detection of lameness and other 00:47:54.079 --> 00:47:56.340 health issues, potentially saving hundreds of 00:47:56.340 --> 00:47:58.699 dollars per case in treatment costs and lost 00:47:58.699 --> 00:48:02.940 production. While the specific implementation 00:48:02.940 --> 00:48:05.440 costs will naturally vary depending on the size 00:48:05.440 --> 00:48:07.900 and scope of your operation, the total combined 00:48:07.900 --> 00:48:10.719 annual benefit across these six key technologies 00:48:10.719 --> 00:48:14.559 can be in the neighborhood of $78 ,000 per 100 00:48:14.559 --> 00:48:17.550 cows. That big number again. With the vast majority 00:48:17.550 --> 00:48:20.309 of these systems demonstrating a payback period 00:48:20.309 --> 00:48:22.690 of well under two years. And just to wrap it 00:48:22.690 --> 00:48:25.150 up with a final, concise overview for everyone, 00:48:25.289 --> 00:48:27.630 like an executive summary. Right. It really boils 00:48:27.630 --> 00:48:29.869 down to a pretty stark choice for today's dairy 00:48:29.869 --> 00:48:33.010 producer. You can either embrace these game -changing 00:48:33.010 --> 00:48:35.570 identification and monitoring technologies and 00:48:35.570 --> 00:48:37.730 position your operation for greater efficiency 00:48:37.730 --> 00:48:40.250 and profitability in the years to come. Option 00:48:40.250 --> 00:48:43.519 A. Embrace tech. Or you risk becoming part of 00:48:43.519 --> 00:48:45.659 that significant decline in dairy farm numbers 00:48:45.659 --> 00:48:47.820 we've witnessed, even as total milk production 00:48:47.820 --> 00:48:50.860 continues to rise. Option B, risk falling behind. 00:48:51.139 --> 00:48:53.619 These six revolutionary technologies offer a 00:48:53.619 --> 00:48:56.179 documented and relatively rapid return on investment, 00:48:56.400 --> 00:48:59.179 often within a short 8 to 16 month time frame, 00:48:59.280 --> 00:49:01.159 and their benefits are increasingly accessible 00:49:01.159 --> 00:49:04.300 regardless of your herd size. Quick ROI, all 00:49:04.300 --> 00:49:06.480 sizes. Progressive producers who have already 00:49:06.480 --> 00:49:08.739 adopted these systems are reporting significant 00:49:08.739 --> 00:49:12.059 gains in overall efficiency, drastic reductions 00:49:12.059 --> 00:49:15.199 in costly errors in antibiotic usage, and a freeing 00:49:15.199 --> 00:49:17.820 up of valuable labor resources. Real gains reported. 00:49:18.300 --> 00:49:20.219 Essentially, these advanced digital monitoring 00:49:20.219 --> 00:49:22.800 systems are acting as tireless, around -the -clock 00:49:22.800 --> 00:49:25.320 herdspersons, providing early warnings of potential 00:49:25.320 --> 00:49:28.579 problems and even unlocking access to those valuable 00:49:28.579 --> 00:49:32.179 premium milk markets. 247 monitoring and market 00:49:32.179 --> 00:49:35.889 access. So the message is crystal clear. The 00:49:35.889 --> 00:49:38.130 data is in, and these technologies offer some 00:49:38.130 --> 00:49:40.210 serious and compelling advantages for virtually 00:49:40.210 --> 00:49:42.690 all modern dairy operations in North America. 00:49:42.909 --> 00:49:44.969 Indeed. And for you, our knowledgeable listener, 00:49:45.170 --> 00:49:47.289 the critical question to ponder as you head back 00:49:47.289 --> 00:49:49.889 to the barn or the office is this. Where does 00:49:49.889 --> 00:49:52.130 your operation currently sit on that technology 00:49:52.130 --> 00:49:54.849 adoption curve? Where are you now? And perhaps 00:49:54.849 --> 00:49:58.630 more importantly, what is one concrete and actionable 00:49:58.630 --> 00:50:01.050 step that you could realistically take today? 00:50:01.679 --> 00:50:04.840 or in the very near future, to begin or accelerate 00:50:04.840 --> 00:50:07.260 your own digital transformation journey. That's 00:50:07.260 --> 00:50:09.739 your next step. Perhaps it's finally exploring 00:50:09.739 --> 00:50:12.079 the possibilities of RFID if you haven't already 00:50:12.079 --> 00:50:14.599 made the switch, or maybe taking a closer look 00:50:14.599 --> 00:50:16.940 at the potential of color -based monitoring systems 00:50:16.940 --> 00:50:20.059 to significantly improve your reproductive efficiency 00:50:20.059 --> 00:50:23.300 and herd health. Pick one thing to start, maybe. 00:50:24.170 --> 00:50:26.449 Ultimately, the strategic and thoughtful adoption 00:50:26.449 --> 00:50:28.550 of these truly game -changing identification 00:50:28.550 --> 00:50:32.070 technologies holds immense potential for driving 00:50:32.070 --> 00:50:34.510 increased efficiency, boosting profitability, 00:50:34.929 --> 00:50:37.510 and fostering greater sustainability in the North 00:50:37.510 --> 00:50:40.389 American dairy industry. Huge potential. It's 00:50:40.389 --> 00:50:42.449 not just about trying to keep up with the Joneses. 00:50:42.449 --> 00:50:44.849 It's about proactively building a stronger, more 00:50:44.849 --> 00:50:47.349 resilient, and more prosperous future for your 00:50:47.349 --> 00:50:50.760 own dairy farm. There you have it. RFID. facial 00:50:50.760 --> 00:50:53.699 recognition, rumen biosensors, smart collars, 00:50:53.760 --> 00:50:56.460 AI, and blockchain. These aren't just futuristic 00:50:56.460 --> 00:51:00.019 buzzwords. They are the here and now tools differentiating 00:51:00.019 --> 00:51:02.960 the profitable from the precarious one. That 00:51:02.960 --> 00:51:06.880 $78 ,000 per hundred cows isn't a typo. It's 00:51:06.880 --> 00:51:08.980 a wake -up call. So the question I leave you 00:51:08.980 --> 00:51:11.460 with is this. Is your operation built for the 00:51:11.460 --> 00:51:14.639 future or is it a monument to the past? The choice 00:51:14.639 --> 00:51:18.159 and the consequences are yours. Here at The Bullvine, 00:51:18.300 --> 00:51:20.400 we'll keep bringing you the unvarnished truth 00:51:20.400 --> 00:51:23.139 and the innovations that truly matter to your 00:51:23.139 --> 00:51:26.000 bottom line and your future in this industry. 00:51:27.000 --> 00:51:28.940 You've been listening to The Bullvine Podcast, 00:51:29.400 --> 00:51:31.320 where we don't just watch the dairy revolution 00:51:31.320 --> 00:51:35.500 happen, we lead it. Until next time, keep challenging, 00:51:35.739 --> 00:51:36.980 keep innovating.