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Texting Cows: Transformative Technology in Dairy Farming - Balancing Benefits and Challenges


Samhitha, a dairy technology student, attended a 'National Mastitis Council' as part of her college educational trip. Delegates from around the world, along with local dairy farmers, gathered to discuss mastitis. However, Samhitha was intrigued not by the mastitis discussions but by the farmers' constantly beeping phones, displaying messages from their cows.

Perplexed, she peeked at a farmer's phone that showed a message from "cow 2." Surprised, she inquired, and the farmer explained it was a text from his cow. Initially sceptical, Samhitha learned that it was part of precision farming, termed "Texting cows." This technology, employed by dairy cooperatives, utilizes smart collars for cows, providing real-time health data to farmers through wireless communication.

Curious to understand the mechanics, Samhitha questioned the farmer further. Milking robots streamline the process for large-scale farmers, while individual farmers use intelligent collars. These collars monitor various aspects, from milk yield to mastitis infection, sending critical information directly to the farmer's phone.

The farmer explained that this technology offered significant benefits. Farmers could set up alerts for distress, heat cycles, or labour, enhancing cow health monitoring. Timely detection and treatment of illnesses prevented their spread, positively impacting milk yield. The collar, sensing the cow's head position, could detect early signs of sickness.

Milk analysis, including fat, protein, and lactose content, was another valuable aspect. Notifications about decreased milk yield triggered alerts for farmers to investigate potential issues promptly. The collar's sensor also detected heat cycles, optimising insemination processes and increasing pregnancy rates.

The impact was evident in Chitale Dairy, Maharashtra, producing 400,000 litres of milk daily. Despite a consistent number of cows, milk productivity surged from 350,000 to 750,000 litres daily by 2023. QR tags for cows enhanced transparency in buying and selling by providing pedigree information to buyers. Hatsun, India's largest dairy operation with 220,000 cows, also embraced this technology.

However, the farmer acknowledged the challenges. The initial implementation cost was high, and there was a learning curve for farmers and veterinarians. Technical expertise and specialised equipment were necessary, posing feasibility issues for all farmers. AI algorithms could make mistakes, potentially leading to unnecessary treatments or stress for animals. Moreover, the use of AI might result in job losses, replacing manual monitoring by farmers and veterinarians.

In conclusion, the farmer emphasized the positive impact on cost savings and affordable food. Samhitha returned to her university armed with knowledge of the transformative use of technology in dairy farming, recognizing both its benefits and challenges.

Location: NAARM Campus, Acharya Ng Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar mandal, Hyderabad, Telangana 500030, India

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