Dairy Diary: June business update
What’s NEW in the dairy farming world? We report on the launch of a new device that enables real-time blood analysis of dairy cows, new on-farm biogas liquefaction technology, and trial results of specific dairy cow genetics. Read an update on these developments and more on the latest dairy sector news…
dsm-firmenich and Bestmix Software partner with Sustell
dsm-firmenich and Bestmix Software have announced their strategic partnership to measure and manage the environmental footprint of animal feed through Bestmix Software’s feed formulation with the Sustell full life cycle assessment (LCA) platform, which allows customers to easily generate and share their feed footprints.
BoviLab device enables real-time blood analysis
With BoviLab, veterinarians, dairy farmers and feed consultants can measure blood values for calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and urea of dairy cows within 7 minutes. This portable devices, which weighs 2 kg, is brought to Europe by FarmLabo, and aims to improve the transition period on dairy farms.
FrieslandCampina Members’ Council adopts proposals to strengthen cooperative’s attractiveness and appoints board member
In June, the members’ council of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. adopted a series of proposals aimed at member retention, member recruitment and member financing. Additionally, the sustainability strategy was endorsed, and Dutch dairy farmer, Wietse Duursma, was appointed as a member of the Cooperative’s Board and as member of the company’s supervisory board.
Commercial trials show increase in milk solids with Cogent Ecofeed Genetics
A 3-year research project between Cogent Breeding and Kite Consulting on 4 commercial dairy farms has shown the role of genetics in feed efficiency, profitability and sustainability. The Ecofeed feed conversion efficiency index, introduced by Cogent Breeding in 2017, identifies animals with the genomic trait that uses fewer feed resources to produce milk. On average, the rate of genetic gain from Ecofeed genetics quantified by £PLI was £69.50/year over a 5-year period. Milk recording data shows that all 4 trial farms achieved or exceeded 1,000kg/cow/year in milk solids in 2023, demonstrating a 19% increase compared to 2020. It is estimated that up to 50% of this improved output is down to genetics.
Sublime Energie unveils on-farm biogas liquefaction technology
Deeptech startup Sublime Energie has launched a biogas liquefaction technology. By efficiently transporting and pooling biogas produced by multiple farms, the technology reduces initial investments and operating costs, opening access to untapped biomass resources, increasing the resilience of farms and territories, and providing a decarbonisation pathway for the agricultural and transport sectors.
DeLaval launches DeLaval Plus powered by AI
DeLaval Plus is a new customer portal powered by unique artificial intelligence called DeepBlue. The technology collects herd data to provide useful information and animal health alerts, including a ‘Disease Risk’ application that predicts which cows are at risk of mastitis, ketosis and other diseases. Artificial intelligence assists in finding patterns and trends in data from connected DeLaval farms around the world.
10-year Dairy4Development project in Indonesia completed
Together with 6 partners, Frisian Flag Indonesia, a subsidiary of FrieslandCampina, has successfully completed the 10-year ‘Dairy4Development’ project in Pangalengan and Lembang, Indonesia. The project started in 2013 aimed to boost local production of high-quality milk. The completion of this project marks an important milestone in fostering economic growth and independence for dairy farmers in Indonesia, with a total of 3,500 local dairy farmers having participated in the project.
Novus’ new global headquarters is focused on the future
Novus International is focusing on research, new product development, and innovation in a new place to call home in the US. The nutrition company recently moved its global headquarters in Missouri to 17988 Edison Avenue in St. Louis. The new space is more focused on R&D and features a new in-house lab, and houses members of the company’s executive leadership team, legal and regulatory, finance, human resources, operations, supply chain, and logistics.
Novus welcomes new sales manager in DACH region
Martin Behr, with degrees in veterinary medicine from Hungary and Germany, has joined Novus as the sales manager serving dairy customers in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). He previously served as business unit manager for ruminants at Ceva Tiergesundheit GmbH.
Novus names new business director in Asia
Rajeev Murthy has joined Novus as the new senior director and managing director of Asia Pacific, and will be based in Bangkok, Thailand. Originally from Bangalore, India, and with more than 25 years of industry experience, Murthy says luck brought him to the animal agriculture industry, but he’s made it his life’s career. He was previously in a regional leadership role at dsm-firmenich in its Animal Nutrition & Health business unit.
