Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Precision dairy farming (PDF) is a collection of cutting technologies designed for the automatic, realtime monitoring of cow welfare, health, environmental impact, and production. In 2016, the 31st ADSA Discover Conference on Big Data Dairy Management discussed the potential of big data analyses and technology in the dairy industry, attracting the attention of more than 150 participants. Since 2016, enormous progress has happened in the field of artificial intelligence, sensing technology and data analyses in all domains, which has allowed interdisciplinary engagement in animal systems. As such, our proposed conference will bring together scientists from animal agriculture, industry, service providers, and students to discuss the latest advances in precision livestock farming for sustainable systems. The 46th ADSA Discover Conferencewill help in establishing a shared understanding of the current state of precision dairy farming technologies for animal health and welfare, data governance, and the hurdles that need to be overcome for successful implementation. By bringing together professionals from various disciplines, we expect to foster cross-disciplinary collaborations that can lead to innovative solutions to the problems faced by the dairy industry, and inform and influence policy decisions, ensuring that the regulatory environment supports the growth and sustainability of the dairy industry.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
15%
Applied
65%
Developmental
20%
Goals / Objectives
The 46th ADSA Discover Conference aims to explore and address critical aspects of precision livestock farming to enhance the dairy industry's efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability to modern demands. The conference will focus on five main objectives:1. Data Integration Across the Entire Dairy Chain: To achieve efficiency and traceability from production to consumption, ensuring the quality and sustainability of dairy products.2. Adoption of Technology in Dairy Farming: To discuss the integration of modern technologies into traditional farming practices, which is vital for the industry's growth and adaptation.3. Exploration of Disruptive Technologies: To investigate the impact of AI and sensor technology on dairy farming, offering innovative solutions for improved farm management and environmental sustainability.4. Sustainable Data Stewardship: To address the ethical, legal, and practical aspects of data management, ensuring responsible and effective use of data for the industry's long-term benefit.5. Mining the Value of Data: To understand and maximize the benefits of data in livestock farming, enhancing aspects from genetic improvement to health and management decisions.Together, these objectives aim to form a comprehensive framework for discussing current and future challenges in the dairy industry at the conference.
Project Methods
Preliminary ProgramMonday May 6, 20244:00 PM Program Committee/Moderators Meeting- location TBA5:00-7:00 PMRegistration (Dinner on your own) - Red Oak FoyerOpening Session: Moderators: Miel Hostens,University of Utrechtand Joao Dorea,University of Wisconsin7:00 PMWelcome & Recognitions. Joanne Knapp, ADSA Discover Conference Director & Miel Hostens,University of Utrechtand Joao Dorea,University of Wisconsin, DC46Program Co-Chairs7:10 PMWhere did we hope to be by now?Miel Hostens,University of Utrechtand Joao Dorea,University of Wisconsin7:15 PMKeynote Speaker: Navigating the bumpy road from data to health: A worthwhile journey?Umberto Tachinardi, UC Health, University of Cincinnati8:00 PMBrief Discussion8:15 PMWelcome Reception - Prairie River (lower level)Tuesday May 7, 2024Session 1: Data integration across the entire dairy chain.Moderators: Victor Cabrera,University of Wisconsinand Miel Hostens,University of Utrecht8:00 AMWelcome and Announcements8:10 AMAcademic perspective/Need/Demand.Victor Cabrera,University of Wisconsin8:40 AMProducer perspective/Need/Demand.Mitch Breunig, Mystic Valley Dairy9:00 AMIndustry perspective/Need/Demand.Daniel Lefebvre, Lactanet9:30 AMBreak -Black Break Area10:00 AMProcessors perspective/Need/Demand.Speaker TBA10:30 AMDiscussion11:30 AMLunch -Burnham's RestaurantSession 2: Adoption of technology.Moderators: Jeffrey Bewley,Holstein Association, USAand Michael Iwersen,University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna1:30 PMUnderstanding the sociology of technology adoption.Callum Eastwood, Dairy NZ, New Zealand2:00 PMWhat lessons can be learned from the 'technology graveyard'?JeffreyBewley, Holstein Association, USA2:30 PMDiscussion3:15 PMBreak -Black Break Area3:45 PMYou reap what you sow: Experience with incorporating (sensor) data into the curriculum for future professionals.Michael Iwersen, Vetmeduni/University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna4:15 PMFarmer's perspective.Ben Loewith, Summit Station Dairy & Creamery,Ontario4:45 PMDiscussion5:30AdjournWednesday May 8, 2024Session 3:Disruptive technologies.Moderators: Hélène Soyeurt,University of Liege, Belgium;Jeffrey Bewley, Holstein Association USA; and Joao Dorea, University of Wisconsin8:00 AMFrom linear regression to artificial intelligence: the study case of milk mid-infrared spectra.Hélène Soyeurt, University of Liege8:30 AMArtificial intelligence for precise phenotyping and farm management.Joao Dorea, University of Wisconsin9:00 AMDiscussion9:30 AMBreak -Black Break Area10:00 AMDeep learning and sensor technology.Miel Hostens,University of Utrecht10:30 AMIntegration of enviromics and genomics.Guilherme Rosa, University of Wisconsin11:00 AMDiscussion11:30 AMInnovation Showcase12:30 PMLunch -Burnham's RestaurantSession 4: Sustainable data stewardship.Moderators:Joao Durr, Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB);René van der Linde, International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR); andPaul Kononoff, University of Nebraska1:30 PMWhy is an international standard needed - ICAR?René van der Linde, International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR), Netherlands2:00 PMWho really owns my cow data, and should I care? ToddJanzen, Jansen Ag Law2:30 PMDiscussion3:00 PMBreak - Black Break Area3:30 PMHow sustainable are our national dairy databases?Kent Weigel, University of Wisconsin4:00 PMThe benefits of data sharing: the Ag Crop case.Brent Kemp, AgGateway4:30 PMCyber Security in Relation to Sustainable Data Stewardship.Randy Murch, Virginia Tech5:00 PMDiscussion5:30 PMAdjournInnovation Showcase Reception. (Dinner on your own)Thursday May 9, 2024Session 5: Mining the value of data.Moderators: Miel Hostens,University of Utrechtand Joao Dorea,University of Wisconsin8:00 AMMining the industry value - is there any gold to mine, can it be shared across the chain?Tim Taylor, VYLA8:30 AMMining the scientific value - a tool for real time knowledge discovery.Speaker TBA9:00 AMDiscussion9:45 AMBreak - Black Break Area10:15 AMMining the producers value - Value of data to producer.Mariska van der Voort, Wageningen University10:45 AMIndustry Panel: Genetic value/Health decisions/Management decisions/BeefOnDairy.Panelists TBA11:30 AMKey points, wrap up.Miel Hostens,University of Utrechtand Joao Dorea,University of Wisconsin12:00 PMAdjourn