Wayside Dairy Embraces Advanced Technologies to Enhance Operations
Wayside Dairy, a fifth-generation family farm in Greenleaf, Wisconsin, is at the forefront of integrating innovative technologies to optimize dairy farming practices. With a herd of approximately 2,050 cows, the farm has implemented several cutting-edge solutions to improve efficiency, animal health, and environmental sustainability.
CowManager System for Herd Monitoring
In July 2020, Wayside Dairy installed the CowManager system, deploying 2,450 sensors across their herd. This system offers modules for Fertility, Health, Nutrition, and Cow Location, providing real-time insights into each cow’s status. The Health module has been particularly beneficial, leading to an 11% reduction in metritis cases and an estimated annual savings of $83,237. Additionally, the Fertility module has improved reproductive performance, increasing the pregnancy rate from 33% to 38%. (nationalbeefwire.com)
On-Farm Methane Digester
To address environmental concerns, Wayside Dairy is constructing an on-farm methane digester. This facility will convert manure into renewable natural gas, which will be injected directly into the local gas grid. The project is expected to commence in April 2024, marking a significant step toward sustainable farming practices. (thebusinessnews.com)
Soil Fertility and Forage Management
Collaborating with Midwestern BioAg, Wayside Dairy has enhanced soil fertility and forage quality. By applying Bio-Cal® and balanced fertilizers, the farm increased forage yields from 3.7 to 4.2 tons per acre. This improvement has led to a $300 per acre increase in milk income, demonstrating the economic benefits of soil health management. (midwesternbioag.com)
Robotic Milking Systems
While not specified in the available sources, many modern dairy farms, including those in Wisconsin, are adopting robotic milking systems. These systems allow cows to be milked at their convenience, reducing labor costs and improving animal welfare. For instance, Pleasant View Dairy in Hilbert, Wisconsin, has implemented robotic milkers, enabling cows to milk themselves and providing farmers with more flexibility. (wtaq.com)
Through the adoption of these technologies, Wayside Dairy exemplifies the evolving landscape of dairy farming, balancing productivity with sustainability and animal welfare.
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