Dairy Diary: May business update
What’s NEW in the dairy farming world? We report on the launch of a new milk cell analysis device, the opening of an agricultural research center in Brazil, and a bolus that detects bird flu up to a week before symptoms appear. Read an update on these developments and more on the latest dairy sector news…
DeLaval launches the DeLaval BioSensors Milk Cell Analysis
DeLaval has launched the DeLaval BioSensors Milk Cell Analysis, a device that uses advanced optical technology to accurately count the cell count in milk. This tool helps farmers monitor and improve udder health management and increase milk quality. The tool works by counting the cell number in a milk sample using optical technology, where the cells are fluorescently colored. The fluorescence is then processed and analyzed to determine the number of cells.
Ideagro begins operations in Brazil with the opening of Agricultural Research Center
Agricultural research and development company Ideagro, headquartered in Murcia, Spain, is expanding its international presence with the opening of its first agricultural research center on another continent. On 29 April, Ideagro Brazil was officially inaugurated at the Ingá University Center (Uningá) in the city of Maringá, Paraná. The investment by Alltech Crop Science, in partnership with the university, enables physical, chemical, and biological analyses. In its first year of operation, Ideagro will invest over USD 1 million in research, development, and product registration in Brazil.
Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing awarded for generative AI-based knowledge platform
Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing – an independent publisher of content in sustainable and regenerative agriculture – are the winners of the PLS AI Award for their innovative application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across their content. Representatives from the Burleigh Dodds team and their technology partner Librios, attended the Independent Publishing Awards ceremony, hosted by The Independent Publishers Guild, in London on 30 April, including Managing Director Rob Burleigh who accepted the award on behalf of the business.
Evonik partners with Manuchar for distribution of MetAmino in Pakistan
Evonik has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Manuchar for the supply of its essential amino acid MetAmino in Pakistan. Manuchar is a global distributor of chemicals, specialising in supply chain solutions and value-added services for emerging markets, like South America, Africa, Middle East and Asia, as well as Europe.
Agritechnica 2025: Presentation of the Women in Ag Award
At Agritechnica, which will take place in Hanover, Germany, from 9-15 November 2025, the Women in Ag Magazine and the DLG (German Agricultural Society) will confer the international Women in Ag Award for the fourth time. The award is presented in 4 categories: Agriculture, Agribusiness, Education, and Technology & Research. The deadline for applications is 31 July 2025.
dsm-firmenich and Bureau Veritas partner on Carbon Value Program
dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health is collaborating with Bureau Veritas Solutions Denmark A/S, a company involved in testing, inspection and certification services, to promote a credible sustainability measurement in animal protein production. The organisations plan to leverage and verify dsm-firmenich’s Sustell, its life cycle assessment (LCA) platform, to support the measurement of calculations and emission reductions for sustainable business practices in the feed and animal protein value chain.
Duynie appointed exclusive UK distributor of C★Traffordgold
From 1 July 2025, international co-products company Duynie will become the exclusive UK distributor of C★Traffordgold, a co-product of the processing of wheat for the production of starch and sweeteners, made by Cargill Plc at its Manchester production site. It is a highly palatable moist feed, known for its high levels of digestible fibre, protein, and energy, and contains Trafford Syrup – already exclusively supplied by Duynie –which is rich in yeast fragments that help support healthy rumen function.
DeLaval unveils faster, smarter and more spacious milking robot model
DeLaval has unveils the 2025 model of the VMS V300 milking robot series, which incorporates the latest technologies. Key features include a larger cubicle that accommodates a wider range of cow breeds and sizes, as well as Flow-Responsive Milking, a new technology that maintains constant vacuum under the teat, even at (very) high milk flows. This results in a better milking experience for the cow and a shorter milking time – farmers report a reduction of up to 40 seconds per cow per milking.
smaXtec bolus detects bird flu up to one week before symptoms appear
The avian influenza virus in cows caused steep milk losses and health setbacks. Michigan State University researchers found smaXtec boluses triggered fever alerts up to 1 week before cows showed visible symptoms, helping dairy farmers from reactive to proactive herd health management. The smaXtec bolus sits inside the cow’s reticulum, where it continuously measures internal body temperature with the accuracy of ±0.018°F. When temperature deviates from baseline, real-time alerts (triggered by artificial intelligence) are flagged well before the cow begins to show signs of distress.
dsm-firmenich and Allix partner with Sustell
dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health has announced a strategic partnership with feed formulation software Allix, developed by A-Systems, to measure and manage the environmental footprint of animal feed. The organisations have agreed to combine dsm-firmenich’s Sustell, its lifecycle assessment platform, with Allix’s feed formulation software to reduce the environmental footprint of feed.
Alltech ONE Conference returns to Kentucky in May 2026
From 18-20 May 2026, Alltech will welcome global thought leaders and innovators to the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky, for an immersive exploration of the bold ideas shaping the future of agri-food at the Alltech ONE Conference. With the theme ‘Together, bright becomes brilliant’, the conference will feature inspiring keynote speakers, dynamic tracks and workshops, and leading-edge insights from global leaders across agriculture, business, technology and sustainability.
World Dairy Expo welcomes new digital marketing specialist
World Dairy Expo has announced Haley Beukema as the organisation’s digital marketing specialist. In this role, she will manage World Dairy Expo’s media relations, engage with audiences throughout their digital platforms, and design materials in preparation for the annual event. Beukema, who has earned a degree in Agricultural Communication and Marketing, grew up on her family’s small hobby farm in Wisconsin, breeding registered Guernsey and Ayrshire cattle to show at the county, state, and national levels.
