PICKETT, Wis. (AP) — Each of the 9,000 cows at Rosendale Dairy has a microchip. Workers can scan the cows’ ears with smartphones for real-time information on nutrition, health history and productivity. Feed is calibrated to deliver a precise diet. Machines handle the milking. An unmanned-aerial vehicle gathers data from nearby farm fields. That data is then analyzed to improve the yields of crops grown for feed. Technology has long played an important role in agriculture. But it has become critical with dairy farmers seeking every possible efficiency.
Farmers look for any tech edge
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Cows are milked on a large carousel at the Rosendale Dairy in Pickett, Wisconsin. Each of the farm's 9,000 cows has a microchip implanted in an ear. Each microchip can be scanned with smartphones for real-time information on nutrition, the cow's health history and productivity.
Avi Stern is director of public affairs at Rosendale Dairy. He explains the technologies used at the farm.
Silage is stored under tarps and is transported to freestall barns as needed.
Rosendale Dairy is one of the largest dairy farms in Wisconsin. It is part of MilkSource LLC.
Cows spend about six hours eating each day.
Team members at Rosendale Dairy can see real-time milk-production data on a smartphone app.