Smart Cows: The Future of Dairy Farming in Argentina

The adoption of a new generation of sensors, artificial intelligence, and automation is reframing the way dairy farms operate by preempting births and understanding the emotional states of cattle, thereby enhancing welfare and efficiency in dairy production.

Company Lely Argentina is already working with prototypes that can forecast cow births and detect emotional states such as stress or frustration based on visual and behavioral patterns.

In these systems, every cow leaves a digital footprint: collars measure feeding, sedentary behavior, drinking, and milk production; cameras track posture and movement; and milking robots operate with minimal human intervention. As summarized by Argentine specialist Juan L. Monge during the FARO 2025 event: “The cow in the system is a machine that generates information.”

Benefits for the Dairy Industry

• Risk Anticipation: Detect potential drops in production, possible diseases, or imminent births in advance, resulting in savings on treatments, improved reproductive statistics, and stronger persistence.
• Animal Welfare and Productive Efficiency: A less stressed cow produces more and lives longer; continuous monitoring allows for interventions when efficiency declines.

The innovation in cameras and sensors unveils a clear path for increased efficiency, quality, and sustainability within the dairy industry. In a context where margins are narrowing and competition is escalating, investing in monitoring technology can be a differentiating factor.