Page 25 - BCHNews-122023-Web

CHRISTMAS 2023  WC DAIRY NEWS 25
INTERCONNECTED
DAIRY SOLUTIONS
By Chris Gans, Manager, Software Sales & Support, Lactanet Canada
As the Manager of the software team at Lactanet, I occasionally get asked by some of my DairyComp customers, “Should I stop my milk testing now that I have DairyComp?”. More often than not, this question comes after the producer has acquired a robotic milking system and has integrated it with DairyComp.
My answer is always the same: DairyComp is a complete herd management software solution that can provide you with powerful insights on your dairy operation. With over 52%* of dairy farms on milk recording in Ontario and Western Canada already using this software religiously, it has proven itself to lead to a variety of improvements for a more profitable and high-performing herd.
Robots ― investing in the future
While robotic milking systems can generate an impressive amount of data, they still face several challenges, even today. There is a false assumption that robotic milking systems eliminate the need for milk recording. Precise, reliable and agile milk data remains crucial to maintain product quality, ensure cow health, and meet regulatory standards. Two key challenges in robotic milking operations to keep in mind include:
1. Calibrationandmaintenance
To provide accurate milk quality data, robotic milking systems require regular calibration and maintenance of sensors and equipment. Regular sensor replacement is necessary as over time they may degrade or become less accurate due to the elements, such as environmental factors (temperature and humidity), and general wear and tear. Timely maintenance and replacement will affect the performance of your system and the measurement of milk parameters.
2. Rich data
While robotic systems provide hundreds of data points, the ability to organize and flex the information is often limited. Without milk recording, national benchmarks and cow history are not common reports and so information can quickly become both overwhelming and subsequently underutilized. Automated systems are ideal to flag changes in the animal that might need attention but are no match for medical devices or calibrated scientific lab instruments.
One simple, easy and affordable milk sample can supply so many solutions. And if you are transitioning to a robotic milking system, our team will typically meet with you and help you determine your needs before, during, and after a system start-up.
From routine to on-demand testing, Lactanet has flexible service options that complement and validate the data generated from robots. We collect milk samples with an automated Ori-Collector sampler.
Whether you prefer paper reports or data online, information is easy to understand and presented in a meaningful way. We even have a Robot Production and Efficiency tool that you simply have to check out.
Integrating and interlinking data
As dairy producers continue to invest in modern milking technology, it’s time to look at software to bring it all together. With robot daily data and reliable milk testing information, DairyComp herd management software can transform your day by organizing it all in one place.
Producers tell me that its robust features help them save time, give them everything they need to work smarter, and that the mobile app is super convenient when working cow-side. DairyComp also offers:
• Cow health monitoring: Allowing users to track the health and wellness of each cow, including veterinary visits, medications, and treatments;
• Milk production records: Whether the data is from milk recording, from the robot/parlour, or sensor, it is automatically downloaded or interlinked. This helps farmers and advisors identify trends, make informed decisions, and manage by individual cow or by group;
• Data analysis and reporting: Custom reports can be generated, and herd performance analyzed on milk production, reproductive performance, and overall herd health;
• Compliance: All details are recorded for provincial regulations and all things proAction®, including submitting registration files to breed associations and reporting traceability events to DairyTrace;
• Expert support: We have a dedicated support team available on-site, toll-free or remote.
The combination of a trusted herd management system like DairyComp being fed data from accredited lab-based milk testing is where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This solution provides Canadian dairy farmers with an advanced set of tools for dairy herd improvement and profitability.
If you are interested in learning more about DairyComp, visit lactanet.ca/en/ apps-software/dairycomp, and don't hesitate to reach out and chat with us.
* Lactanet Canada 2022 data
Milk testing is not only convenient and easy, but aggregated data gives you economic multipliers and a road map to develop animals that feel and move well, live a long time, and pay-it-forward at the bulk tank. All this data is also available to your farm team of advisors in the language they understand most.
Uncover your blind spots
Throughout the years, herd sizes have increased, and this trend will continue. In fact, in the province of Manitoba where the average herd size is 190*, half of all cows on-test are milked in a robotic setup.
DairyComp
Herd Management Software
Here's how milk testing contributes to improved performance:
• Quality: Milk testing measures key parameters such as fat content, protein levels, and somatic cell count. This data helps maintain consistent milk quality, which is essential for meeting industry standards and securing premium prices;
• Wellness: Milk testing can keep herds functioning at their very best by detecting health issues and diseases like mastitis or metabolic disorders that are very costly ― and an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure;
• Breeding: There are significant synergies between genetic evaluations and milk recording data, and AI organizations rely on this information to give farmers selection and mating options;
• Efficiency: By identifying and removing low-performing cows based on milk test results, farmers can reduce feed and resource expenses, and ultimately improve the overall efficiency of the herd.
lactanet.ca