Sainsbury’s Pioneers AI Veterinary Technology to Enhance Animal Welfare on Dairy Farms
Source: The DairyNews
Sainsbury’s has made history as the first retailer globally to invest in cutting-edge AI veterinary technology designed to improve animal welfare on dairy farms. The innovative technology, developed by Vet Vision AI, a spin-out company from the University of Nottingham, is revolutionizing how dairy farmers monitor and enhance the wellbeing of their cows.
Transforming Dairy Farming with AI
Vet Vision AI employs low-cost, portable cameras that can be used across multiple farms to monitor cows. The AI system analyzes video footage in real-time, identifying patterns in behavior that are indicative of animal welfare. Unlike traditional monitoring methods, this technology not only detects illnesses but also measures when cows are thriving, offering a more comprehensive view of their wellbeing.
The AI technology goes beyond simple observation; it provides actionable insights to farmers. These recommendations can include:
Housing Improvements: Enhancements to cow comfort and engagement through better housing facilities.
Enrichment Strategies: Suggestions such as installing cow brushes to reduce stress and promote positive behavior.
Round-the-Clock Monitoring: Continuous observation allows for better-informed decision-making, enabling farmers to take proactive steps to enhance animal welfare.
Early Detection and Continuous Improvement
One of the standout features of this AI technology is its ability to detect early signs of disease, allowing farmers and vets to intervene before issues become severe. However, its real innovation lies in its capacity to identify and promote positive welfare indicators, ensuring that cows are not only healthy but thriving.
Dairy farmer Dave Bacon of Gleadthorpe Farms, who supplies milk to Sainsbury’s through Muller, has already seen the benefits of Vet Vision AI. “I know that happy, comfortable cows produce more milk, but accurately measuring and knowing how to improve cow comfort can be challenging,” Bacon said. “Using Vet Vision AI, we were able to measure how comfort levels improved after we upgraded our housing and put new cow mattresses in. Knowing that my cows are more comfortable as a result means I can feel confident the investment was worth it.”
Enhancing Farming Efficiency
The AI’s ability to monitor and suggest improvements in cow welfare not only benefits the animals but also enhances farming efficiency. For example, if the AI indicates that increased lying down time could improve cow comfort, this could lead to better leg health and higher milk yields, making the farm more productive without increasing feed costs.
Dr. James Breen, a professor in Cattle Health at the University of Nottingham, has been using Vet Vision AI with his dairy herd clients. He noted, “The ability of the system to observe the cows’ natural behaviors without disturbing the animals, and to turn these observations into hard outcomes, is of huge value when planning interventions to improve foot health, udder health, and fertility performance.”
Dr. Matt Turner, Sainsbury’s vet and agriculture manager, emphasized the retailer’s commitment to animal health and welfare: “Our dairy farmers using the technology are already seeing real benefits, and we look forward to expanding it to our wider network of Dairy Development Group farms soon.”
Dr. Tom Angel, a vet with Synergy Farm Health, added, “Vet Vision AI allows us to identify positive animal welfare on farms, such as increased lying times and cow comfort, as well as management factors that need addressing to improve these outputs. The use of computer vision technology has then been able to assess the impact of any changes we have implemented, objectively revealing how the animals have responded positively to the environmental and management changes.”
Expanding the Use of AI Technology
Currently, the AI technology is being used on 30 farms within Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group, with plans to expand its use across more farms next year. This initiative underscores Sainsbury’s commitment to pioneering animal welfare improvements through technological innovation, setting a new standard for the dairy industry.
By integrating AI into their operations, Sainsbury’s is not only enhancing the welfare of dairy cows but also demonstrating how technology can drive efficiency and productivity in agriculture. As this technology continues to roll out, it is likely to have a transformative impact on the dairy industry, benefiting both animals and farmers alike.
Vet Vision AI employs low-cost, portable cameras that can be used across multiple farms to monitor cows. The AI system analyzes video footage in real-time, identifying patterns in behavior that are indicative of animal welfare. Unlike traditional monitoring methods, this technology not only detects illnesses but also measures when cows are thriving, offering a more comprehensive view of their wellbeing.
The AI technology goes beyond simple observation; it provides actionable insights to farmers. These recommendations can include:
Housing Improvements: Enhancements to cow comfort and engagement through better housing facilities.
Enrichment Strategies: Suggestions such as installing cow brushes to reduce stress and promote positive behavior.
Round-the-Clock Monitoring: Continuous observation allows for better-informed decision-making, enabling farmers to take proactive steps to enhance animal welfare.
Early Detection and Continuous Improvement
One of the standout features of this AI technology is its ability to detect early signs of disease, allowing farmers and vets to intervene before issues become severe. However, its real innovation lies in its capacity to identify and promote positive welfare indicators, ensuring that cows are not only healthy but thriving.
Dairy farmer Dave Bacon of Gleadthorpe Farms, who supplies milk to Sainsbury’s through Muller, has already seen the benefits of Vet Vision AI. “I know that happy, comfortable cows produce more milk, but accurately measuring and knowing how to improve cow comfort can be challenging,” Bacon said. “Using Vet Vision AI, we were able to measure how comfort levels improved after we upgraded our housing and put new cow mattresses in. Knowing that my cows are more comfortable as a result means I can feel confident the investment was worth it.”
Enhancing Farming Efficiency
The AI’s ability to monitor and suggest improvements in cow welfare not only benefits the animals but also enhances farming efficiency. For example, if the AI indicates that increased lying down time could improve cow comfort, this could lead to better leg health and higher milk yields, making the farm more productive without increasing feed costs.
Dr. James Breen, a professor in Cattle Health at the University of Nottingham, has been using Vet Vision AI with his dairy herd clients. He noted, “The ability of the system to observe the cows’ natural behaviors without disturbing the animals, and to turn these observations into hard outcomes, is of huge value when planning interventions to improve foot health, udder health, and fertility performance.”
Dr. Matt Turner, Sainsbury’s vet and agriculture manager, emphasized the retailer’s commitment to animal health and welfare: “Our dairy farmers using the technology are already seeing real benefits, and we look forward to expanding it to our wider network of Dairy Development Group farms soon.”
Dr. Tom Angel, a vet with Synergy Farm Health, added, “Vet Vision AI allows us to identify positive animal welfare on farms, such as increased lying times and cow comfort, as well as management factors that need addressing to improve these outputs. The use of computer vision technology has then been able to assess the impact of any changes we have implemented, objectively revealing how the animals have responded positively to the environmental and management changes.”
Expanding the Use of AI Technology
Currently, the AI technology is being used on 30 farms within Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group, with plans to expand its use across more farms next year. This initiative underscores Sainsbury’s commitment to pioneering animal welfare improvements through technological innovation, setting a new standard for the dairy industry.
By integrating AI into their operations, Sainsbury’s is not only enhancing the welfare of dairy cows but also demonstrating how technology can drive efficiency and productivity in agriculture. As this technology continues to roll out, it is likely to have a transformative impact on the dairy industry, benefiting both animals and farmers alike.
23.09.2024
Carbon emissions in global milk production - the elephant in the room
I have been thinking to make this post yes/ no. I decided for yes and like to ask everyone to not "shoot the messenger". The chart shows an analysis of IFCN Dairy Research Network from the 2024 supporter conference in Poland.
