*Written by Tara Bohnert, CowManager Performance Specialist for the USA.
In this article, CowManager Performance Speciliast Tara Bohnert explains the value of data on the dairy. Without insights, producers oftentimes rely on guesswork to make decisions. Bohnert explains that, thanks to data, you can turn that gut-feeling into data-driven decision making.
I grew up in the era dial-up internet, road atlases and my first smart phone was a BlackBerry. I learned to breed cows in high school and through internships and industry have been lucky to work with herds of every size and all around the globe. Yet, here I sit still below the average age of a US dairy farmer.
The evolution of dairy farming over my lifetime is enough to write multiple books on. However, the part I am most excited about is the move to data-driven decision making. For once we have the tools available to let the cow be the source of truth and remove the bias.
Wearable activity systems were once a very operational tool letting users know when cows were in heat or how many steps they took. Today’s insights allow dairy producers to be more proactive than ever, giving users a competitive advantage. Those that go beyond the basics make a transformational change in how they dairy.
There are pieces of data from a sensor system that offers insights to managers and employees within the entire dairy. Imagine the productivity of stakeholder meetings when everyone brings facts verses opinions to the table. From calves to cows – every animal on the dairy has a voice.
There’s no doubt that dry cows are the most under the radar group of cows on the dairy. They require minimal labor and minimal inputs. Yet they give us some of the biggest warning signs during the dry period on how their transition to lactation is going to go. Dairies that use these insights to navigate this crucial time get their cows off to a healthier start – which leads to gains in productivity and reproduction.
When we talk about creating clear visions for the future and cultural shifts amongst staff, it is imperative that the team sees the value of technology and how it works for them and not the other way around. The quickest way to kill a good investment is by internal sabotage. After all, data-driven decisions don’t just happen in the office, they come to life in the barn.
Curious how CowManager’s actionable data translates to improved herd management? Take a look at the system for yourself. Download the Demo App to dive into the data and preview the graphs.