As a student, one of the most fascinating parts of the dairy industry is the endless technology and innovations used on farms, by processors, or in retail. Technology has opened doors for dairy-interested students in different fields more so than ever before. The endless data collected on farms has created a multitude of opportunities for students interested in data, engineering, and automation. Innovations like robotic milking systems, automated feeds, and advanced AI-powered monitoring systems are continually evolving to support sustainable and efficient production, prioritizing animal welfare.

Through America’s Cultivation Corridor, the Next Generation Innovation Internship has developed a project to allow agricultural-focused students to explore the newest and most innovative technologies and programs in the plant science, consumer, bioprocessing, and animal science sectors, discovering what excites the next generation of agriculturalists.

I had the opportunity to take part in this internship, partnering with fellow Iowa State University student Megan Clark, exploring the animal science sector. Throughout our fall semester internship, we explored technologies that supported all sectors of livestock production, from reproduction and health to feeding and feed management and harvesting milk, meat and egg products. A Midwest Dairy-sponsored program, Megan and I took a deeper dive into the dairy industry and the innovations that caught our eye. While I have a background in the dairy industry, Megan does not, giving her a unique perspective on the incorporation of these technologies into farms and processors.

“The amount of technology making advances for dairy producers was incredibly fascinating to learn about,” she said. “More than ever before, producers are gaining access to innovative solutions to prompt sustainability and productivity, all while keeping the animal’s health top of mind.”

Throughout the semester, we researched innovations with the end goal of creating a presentation to highlight the 20 technologies that we felt were profitable, sustainable, and practical for farmers or processors to implement in their operations. When researching, we spoke to company representatives, farmers, and industry members who had worked with these technologies and understood their outlook for the dairy industry. We discussed whether they were profitable and sustainable to implement on dairy farms. This discussion included how it would fit into the current dairy industry, save labor, be measurable, and prioritize welfare.

We explored well-known companies and their innovations, like Merck Animal Health’s SenseHub Dairy Youngstock and Low Carbon Technologies’ SOP Lagoon, as well as newer, smaller businesses, such as Hoofcount’s PediVue. As students interested in the agricultural industries, we see how innovation and technology has revolutionized the dairy industry, creating endless data for farmers to utilize to support their herds.

The dairy industry’s adoption of new technologies has created a diverse industry where students can assist with shaping the future of dairy, regardless of their specific interests.