Data Driven Dairy Decision For Farmers (4D4F) aims at developing a network for dairy farmers, dairy technology suppliers, data companies, dairy advisors, veterinarians and researchers to improve the decision making on dairy farms based on data generated by sensors.

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Are automatic milk feeders a good tool to monitor calf health?

Author: Kristine Piccart (ILVO) - Date: April 10, 2019

Ever since their introduction in the 1980’s, automatic milk feeders have a become well-established tool for managing dairy calves in groups. Not only do they reduce labor input, automatic milk feeders also generate a large amount of data on the feeding behavior of individual calves. This makes is easier to monitor their health and wellbeing.

Standard Operation Procedure, as a tool to improve dairy herd performance

Author: Annica Hansson (VXA) - Date: March 15, 2019

Regularly I use to gather the staff in the dairy farms to brain-storm about strengths and weaknesses in the business. Topics connected to herd management are gathered to a more profound discussion, where we together try to look into realistic and reliable ways to meet the situation. The following example is from a 240 cow big Swedish VMS dairy.

Plan for result, business goals

Farmdesk gives farmers insight to take better decisions

Author: Jef Aernouts (Farmdesk) - Date: February 25, 2019

Milk production data contain an enormous amount of useful information. Based upon production numbers, fat and protein levels, urea levels, cel counts and plate counts, farmers should continuously make decisions. Feed management is one of the major concerns on any dairy goat farm. On a technical level, rationing has a huge impact on milk production. It accounts for 40-70% of the milk yield. On an economical level, feed is the major cost on any dairy farm.

4D4F video

Date: February 22, 2019

With this video, we wanted to demonstrate the positive impact of sensor technology and how it can improve dairy farming. Richard Lloyd, from Innovation presents the 4D4F project and the benefits of dairy technology: "Happy cows, happy farmers and happy consumers". Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below. 

 

Stray voltage in the dairy barn

Authors: Kristine Piccart & Diederik Van Damme (ILVO) - Date: February 20th, 2019

Nearly every dairy barn is equipped with electrical components and automated tools (e.g. in the milking parlour, concentrate feeders, manure scrapers, selection gates…). When the electrical system is not properly grounded or its insulating material is affected, unwanted stray voltage may occur in the barn. Unfortunately, the accurate diagnosis of stray voltage issues is still a bottleneck in practice: it can be a long, strenuous process for dairy farmers.

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