Has Apple raised expectations too high for dairy tech?

Contrary to the widespread perception that dairy farmers are slow to adopt new technologies, the real barrier to adoption is the complex reality of the dairy farm. Finding solutions that are as intuitive and impactful as those brought to the mainstream by Apple is difficult. Dairy operations encounter specific challenges such as rural connectivity, data collection, dust, moisture, and temperature variations, which all impede technological performance.

For example, I estimate that around 25% of cows are outfitted with some kind of device or sensor. However, when you ask dairy farmers how they’re utilizing this technology, they often say “heat detection,” omitting any reference to the array of additional functionalities.

Despite these challenges, there is a discernible demand for agtech solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also practical and straightforward. Millions of wearable devices have been sold to dairies, led by Merck’s Antelliq, Cow Manager and Nedap where farmers are using the cow collar, fitbit or ear tag not just based on functionality but also the ease of installation of the IoT sensor and the ease of using the data platforms.  The smart rumen bolus from SmaXtec, which is the newest technology in the US dairy market and is already used by hundreds of thousands of cows. Being able to monitor the movements, productivity, and health of cows before any issues arise can save hundreds of dollars per year for each animal on a dairy farm.

Additionally, company’s such as Labby focus instant real time milk quality analysis, have set the stage for a new era in dairy farming where technology is not just advanced but also readily accessible and easy to install and use. Their success will come from borrowing from the principles Apple has set down.  Camera sensors have had the same challenges; no one doubts the value of observing cow behaviour, availability of feed, but ease of installation is key.

As dairy tech continues to mature, it’s crucial that new solutions are designed with a keen focus on user experience, taking cues from Apple’s strategy. The future of dairy farming is promising, with pioneering companies leading the way towards more efficient, sustainable, and technologically driven operations.

By emphasising ease of use, practicality, and resilience against the unique challenges faced by dairy farming, dairy tech can not only meet but exceed the expectations of modern dairy producers.

*Aidan Connolly has been described by Forbes where he is a contributor, as a ‘farm and food futurologist’.  A frequent speaker at conferences, advising the largest food, agribusinesses, farms, families and governments on technologies, his latest book ‘The Future of Agriculture’ is available for Free download and has been translated into three languages.