A portable scanner that tests cows’ milk and promises “lab-grade accuracy” results could transform data collection for dairy farmers.
The artificial intelligence-assisted device, developed by start-up Labby, means that farmers can gain immediate access to milk quality and health data on individual cows, which could help identify diseases before they spread more broadly in herds.
Currently, such a snapshot of cow health is not available, as farmers are required to send milk samples away to be tested or wait for experts to visit their farm. Relatively low frequency of monitoring means that diseases such as mastitis, a painful disease which reduces milk quality and affects 15% of dairy cows worldwide, can spread easily through herds.
Health profiles build bigger picture
The technology uses an approach called mobile spectroscopy to analyse milk samples. Among the data collected and analysed is the somatic cell count, or SCC, with a high count an indication of mastitis or another infection.
Results of milk testing are available to farmers in less than 10 seconds using the technology, and presented in an app using the Labby software MilKey. Data is available at individual cow and herd level, and is available for reporting or export.
Further down the line, the company wants to provide a milk quality certification platform for the industry, whereby farmers can maintain better animal health, buyers can be assured of the quality of practises on farms and consumers can have a better idea of how animals are being treated.
