A new approach to dairy farming with the use of IoT technologies

The lack of quality testing facilities at the processing plants and storage units leads to a drop in quality and customer satisfaction with the product. The absence of an adequate workforce also points to the need for having a well-devised system for carrying out quality checks.

The practice of dairy farming is regarded as the core function associated with the system of a long-term system of milk production. The incorporation of modern technology and parameters have boosted the process of production and assisted in the maintenance of cattle health as well. Databases are generated and used to attain market supremacy by enhancing the production process. The sustainability of production and supremacy in the market can only be achieved through the periodic monitoring of data sources regarding cattle feeding, calving, nutrition, insemination, and milk production.

Several challenges faced on the way are

Breeding Infrastructure and Genetics

The need for an increase in production can be met either by having a surplus growth in the number of cattle or by having better genetics in and around the animals that are taken up for production. The demand for the supply of animals with superior genetics to enhance the overall line of products and the breeding methods such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer are imperative.

Animal feed and fodder

The need for the presence of quality animal feed and fodder is ever-increasing as it is vital to the rate of milk production and cattle health. The dietary requirements of the breeding animals are huge due to the increased trend of cattle farming and to avoid any sort of health and nutritional complications.

Animal Health

Provision for good health care and disease diagnostic systems need to be provided to ensure better rates of production. High-yielding animals require the presence of extra care and attention and must be provided with periodic updates on their maintenance.

 Farm mechanization and cold chain infrastructure

Growing shortages and increased costs of labor have made the farmers adopt modern mechanization techniques to meet the required rate of milk production. The high amount of milk produced needs to be properly stored and processed under the chilling plants and bulk coolers to prevent contamination and spoilage at subsequent levels. Government and private firms are expected to make major investments in the field of cold chain processing as the opportunities are wide and immense in the sector.

Power availability

 A large portion of the chilling plants is faced with the problem of having a regular shortage of electrical power supply, which directly affects the storage and shelf life of the products. Proper research, investment, and development must be carried out to tackle the situation efficiently.

Quality testing and trained workforce

The lack of quality testing facilities at the processing plants and storage units leads to a drop in quality and customer satisfaction with the product. The absence of an adequate workforce also points to the need for having a well-devised system for carrying out quality checks.

Processing equipment and food ingredients

Various food ingredients and processing equipment: Consumer awareness and new lifestyles are forcing processors to move towards innovation and creating a demand for high-quality equipment.

 Dung and urinal wastewater disposal are the biggest environmental challenges faced by dairy farms. It is important to handle and dispose of dung and wastewater properly to prevent water pollution and odors. Dairy industry byproducts include whey, buttermilk, skim milk, and ghee residue (GR), as well as caseins, castigates, lactose, whey proteins (WP), etc. As a result of their high nutritional value, these byproducts have been used globally. Byproduct utilization remains a problem for dairy plants as new technologies are costly and insufficiently available.