The Minnesota-based agro-giant is looking to expand the footprint of its analytical program for dairy farmers, called Dairy Entieligen.
The program provides data that can be used for improved feed formulation and dairy production.
The data collected and reviewed can be used to improve control of farm operations and the care of individual cows, said Ricardo Daura, global product line director for Cargill Animal Nutrition’s digital insights business. “Benefits will be different in each farm and region, and even market circumstances, recommending focus in milk production, nutrition changes, or animal comfort or health,” he added.
“A dairy farm operation is fairly complex, with multiple disconnected sources of data which do not ease the process of making the right decision at the right time, avoiding unexpected events and streamlining priorities,” he told FeedNavigator. “The power of connecting every element into one intelligent analytical platform assists dairy consultants and farmers to identify the right turning point in that specific farm and define a course of action.”
Data collection, advice
Once installed, the program collects the needed data and information automatically, said Daura. The information can then been used to offer analytics and information for advice in different areas including feed formulation.
It also can be connected to other programs like farm consultancy tools, he said. “New technologies, like AI agents, or sensors on farm, like forage analyzing apps, are integral parts of this emerging data system which will shape how we use technology applied to dairy farming excellence,” he added.
“Dairy Enteligen is associated to the Cargill nutrition system, which includes different nutrition technologies, allowing [us] to provide each farm with optimal and accurate nutrition formulation and diets optimization in connection with farmers’ objectives,” he said.
Program expansion and the US
The pilot version of the program initially started as an option for dairy producers in Italy and Spain. However, coverage for the US sector and other markets is set to start in the next few months, said Daura.
The initial phase of the project sought to gather data about the technology platform for dairy producers, said Daura. “This pilot generated a great deal of excitement in these areas, so it was appropriate to roll [it] out to other customers and start the commercial application in Spain and Italy.”
“From beginning of the work, our US dairy team, which has large experience in consultative and data driven advice, has been essential to Dairy Enteligen development and is currently conducting pilots with plans for a wider roll out at the beginning of 2018,” he said.