20 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Hayden Lawrence A range of digital tools and monitoring systems Russell Fredric Artificial intelligence was little more than a curiosity for Hawera dairy farmer Hayden Lawrence until a DairyNZ workshop in Lincoln late last year shifted his thinking. Like many people, Hayden had initially used tools such as ChatGPT for basic searches and simple tasks. However, after attending the workshop he began exploring with the facilitator how AI could analyse the large volume of information flowing through his farming business. “We’ve got multiple data streams on a dairy farm, all with their own apps or websites to log into. The question was; could we use AI to pull the information we wanted off those platforms, analyse it and bring it all back to one place?” Hayden and wife Alecia are owner-operators of a 177ha farm, comprising a 153ha effective milking platform, near Hawera. The split-calving business milks 400 predominantly Friesian cows and produces about 200,000kg milk solids annually. The couple are now in their 16th year on the property after progressively expanding and redeveloping the business during that time. One of the major investments was a 24-aside double-up rapid exit DeLaval P2100 Parallel Parlour installed for the 2020 season. The parallel parlour provides rotary-style throughput with significantly lower capital cost and fewer moving parts. The farm also uses a range of digital tools and monitoring systems which have become the foundation for Hayden’s AI work. These include DeLaval DelPro for individual cow milk monitoring, smaXtec wearable bolus technology for rumination, temperature, activity and water intake monitoring, and AIMER pasture management software. Hayden says the breakthrough came when he started experimenting with Agentic AI from which he created a platform, capable of actively carrying out tasks, that pulled data together from the various apps and other platforms. “So rather than saying, ‘Hey Siri, turn the radio on’, it became; ‘Have I missed any opportunities in my dairy farming business during the last seven days based on what I’ve been feeding and what my production is?’” Now, the technology has become part of his everyday decision-making. The system can analyse data from pasture management, milk production, herd monitoring and Technology has become part of his everyday decision-making. feeding platforms before presenting recommendations and insights back to the farm team. Consequently AI is now helping with both tactical and strategic decisions. One example involves analysing herd testing information alongside genetic indexes to identify underperforming cows or younger animals that could negatively impact the herd long-term. “It’s information you could still do yourself, but it takes a lot of time and Excel spreadsheets. “Soil test analysis is another one. You can give it the New Zealand context of soils and it can create a fertiliser plan for each paddock, cost it for budgeting purposes and give you a full fertiliser plan.” The technology is also being used to analyse feed inventories and suggest ration changes aimed at lifting production. For Hayden, one of the major benefits is being able to access advanced analysis instantly rather than waiting on outside advice. “I’m not saying it replaces a farm consultant yet, but it’s putting a lot of knowledge back into the farmer.” Voice functionality has also become a useful tool while carrying out tractor work or travelling. “You might be mowing or rolling and something pops into your head. Normally you forget about it later, but now you can have a conversation with AI straight away and keep investigating the idea.” Hayden recently presented on AI adoption at the South Island Dairy Event, where he also ran a workshop helping farmers begin using the technology themselves. He believes the biggest challenge is no longer accessing AI tools, but learning how to ask better questions. “The biggest thing is moving from using it like Google to actually using it to create value.” PERMBRAND.CO.NZ permbrand Contact PHILL SHAW 027 570 2772 Email: phill@permbrand.co.nz • Rotary, Herringbone & Robotic Sheds • Molasses’ Systems • PKE & Pellet Systems • Silos • Augers • Mills - New Generation - Skiold DISC MILLS • Mineral Dispenser’s • Dust Kits • Air Fluidizer Kits AND MUCH MORE FROM THE COMPANY THAT UNDERSTANDS MEAL FEEDING 06 765 6178 | WWW.CMK.CO.NZ
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