Dairy production is an important component of agriculture, accounting for a major amount of the world's food supply. Dairy farming has changed dramatically in the previous decade and continues to change at an alarming rate.
In recent years, the Indian dairy industry has profited immensely from technology-driven goods, facilities, and solutions. Dr. K Rathnam, CEO of Milky Mist Dairy, feels that technology will be key in bringing in and preserving the country's third white revolution.
The importance of technology in the Indian dairy sector has grown significantly, from automated milk collecting and evaluating the composition of milk at the village level to real-time milk purchase. Total milk quality assessment and automated milking systems are other significant technological breakthroughs in the sector. Dairy farmers have been responsible for cow record-keeping since the beginning of dairy farming, and today, with the press of a button, they can track minute information at a single cow level and provide the necessary attention.
Furthermore, technological advancements are driving vital innovations to modernize and revolutionize the dairy sector's other important spheres. Dairy farmers are increasingly turning to technology to help them manage their operations and improve the quality and safety of their products. Dr. K Rathnam investigate the role of technology in dairy production and the benefits it provides in this essay.
Among the most significant technological developments in the dairy business are automated milking systems. To milk cows, these devices employ sensors and robotic arms. Automated milking systems provide various advantages, including better milking efficiency, higher milk quality, and improved animal welfare. These systems also give farmers real-time milk production data, allowing them to monitor cow health, identify potential problems, and make informed decisions.
Another technology that has transformed the dairy sector is milk quality sensors. Milk samples are analyzed by these sensors for factors such as fat content, protein content, and somatic cell count. They can identify early signs of mastitis, a prevalent and costly dairy cow disease. Milk quality sensors enable farmers to monitor the health of their herd and make prompt treatment and culling decisions. They also contribute to ensuring that milk fulfils quality criteria for processing and consumption.
Rumination collars, sometimes known as cow collars, are similar to a 'Fitbit' for cows. These collars aid in the collection of a vast quantity of data on the cow's health, habits, and contentment. It measures a dairy cow's rumination with a microphone to ensure a smooth transition phase. Rumination variations can be an early indicator of calving illnesses, the unfavourable impact of recent ration modifications, cow comfort, and so on. Dairy farmers can utilize the data to treat affected cows and minimize any harmful impact.
Precision livestock farming is the use of technology to monitor and control the health, behavior, and performance of animals. Sensors, cameras, and other monitoring equipment offer real-time data on cow activity, feeding behavior, and other variables with this technology. Farmers can use precision livestock farming to make data-driven decisions regarding feed management, herd health, and breeding programmes. It also assists farmers in identifying and addressing problems as they arise, lowering the risk of disease outbreaks and enhancing animal welfare.
"The dairy supply chain in India is highly complex due to its reliance on various factors such as cold temperatures, weather, shelf life, and so on." Milk is one of those items that needs to reach its clients in the finest possible shape as quickly as feasible. As a result, technology plays a critical role in guaranteeing timely delivery and cold chain maintenance, among other things. Furthermore, supply chain actors can efficiently regulate inventory," says Dr K Rathnam Milky Mist. The cold chain management system is projected to progress at a dizzying pace. Cold chain systems are now installed at the shelf level in malls or markets, rather than in warehouses, cold storage, or insulated trucks.
Technology has been critical in connecting customers and businesses. A seller is connected to farmers and suppliers, in addition to consumers, to ensure and monitor the inflow of milk. Sellers may now simply verify product traceability on both the forward and backward supply chain channels. "Technology has played a critical role in the evolution of the dairy industry, providing farmers with new tools and capabilities to manage their operations more efficiently, sustainably, and profitably," says Dr. Kr Rathnam of Milky Mist, who is looking into ways to use technology in dairy farming to improve milk quality, animal welfare, and farm profitability.
As technology advances and evolves, the dairy sector will follow suit. The Indian dairy business is progressing faster than ever before, with applications that monitor herd health, drones that scan fields, and thermostat-controlled curtains that keep cows warm throughout the winter. Farmers will continue to adopt technology in order to boost productivity and promote animal quality.
