A floating dairy farm, 3D printing and drones as well as more familiar breeding, disease and forage-growing technologies have been confirmed among the exhibits at a brand new event.
Combining the totally novel with the more familiar, Dairy-Tech promises to be a completely new concept for the dairy sector in an age of growing innovation.
It will showcase technology including robots, virtual reality, floating dairy farms and 3D printing, giving farmers the chance to experience these developments first hand.
But it will also host more familiar on-farm innovation such as genomics, use of drones for grassland management, management apps and pen-side diagnostics for disease detection.
Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) managing director Matt Knight says the time is right for an event to stimulate ideas and open up the dairy sector to the kind of technologies that are shaping the future of every business.
“For example, while 3D printing isn’t yet widely used in the sector, it has the potential to print spare parts required in parlours and on farm as needed, minimising any down-time or loss of efficiency,” Mr Knight explained.
“And while the model of Holland’s floating dairy farm is unlikely to ever be a commercial proposition, it’s looking at important issues around nutrient recycling, carbon emissions, space utilisation and education – all of which have relevance to today’s dairy farm.”
Promoting dairy
As well as the innovation ‘hub’, there will be a dairy business focus with speakers covering a range of topics from applied genomics for progressive dairies, to busting the milk myths facing the industry, promoting dairy to the Millennial generation and advice on borrowing and funding.
Further sessions include ways to tackle the labour shortage – how technology and innovation could hold the answer – and genetic as well as practical solutions to antibiotic resistance.
Harper Adams’ Hands Free Hectare and the RAU’s Farm 491 will showcase their newest projects whilst Lely will demo its very latest automation and house the brand new Discovery scraper on its stand.
Drone AG and Bexcopter will be showcasing their drones, highlighting disease management applications. There will also be the chance for visitors to walk around Bexcopter’s specially designed virtual reality environment.
Addressing more practical challenges, hoof trimming demonstrations will be carried out by National Association of Cattle Foot Trimmers chairman Steve Paul; demonstrations will include both knife and grinder techniques as well as showing correct methods for sharpening trimming knifes.
