The future of dairy is data-driven, with New Zealand farmers exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools can transform efficiency, animal welfare and sustainability.

In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Cameron Henderson, DairyNZ deputy chair and North Canterbury dairy farmer, Peter Morgan, Waikato dairy farmer, Dr Joao Dorea, Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA, and Dr Claudia Kamphuis from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. They share insights from the Precision Dairy Farming Conference in Christchurch, discussing the role sensors, computer vision, drones and AI are having on farm decision-making, the rise of ‘digital twins’, and the importance of co-design, collaboration and local skills to turn research into practical solutions for New Zealand’s pastoral system.

 

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guests:

1. Cameron Henderson, DairyNZ deputy chair and North Canterbury dairy farmer
2. Peter Morgan, Waikato dairy farmer
3. Dr Joao Dorea, Assistant professor, University of Wisconsin Madison, USA
4. Dr Claudia Kamphuis, Researcher, Wageningen University, Netherlands

 

Cameron Henderson, DairyNZ deputy chair and North Canterbury dairy farmer, reflects on the Precision DairyFarming Conference in Christchurch and the rapid rise of AI and data-driven tools in New Zealand dairying. He highlights the potential of AI across all aspects of the farm, from effluent and environmental management to herd and staff performance, while stressing the importance of adapting international innovations to New Zealand’s unique pastoral system. Cameron emphasises co-design with farmers to ensure new technologies are practical, integrated and deliver real value, and underscores the need to develop local skills to maintain competitiveness as digital tools reshape decision-making on farms.

 

Peter Morgan, Waikato dairy farmer, highlights how the shift from limited information to constant data streams is transforming decision-making on dairy farms, with better data quality, actionable insights and practical use improving efficiency, animal welfare and performance. He discusses new tools like sensors, wearables and computer-vision systems, the importance of involving farmers in research and design to ensure technology fits real farm needs. He talks about his own use of AI to help formulate options and to help with decision making onfarm, chat bots and the use of AI agents.

 

Dr Joao Dorea, Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA, shares insights from his keynote address, exploring how AI and advanced sensors are transforming livestock monitoring. He explains how computer vision, wearable sensors and  drones can be integrated to track individual animals, measure body condition, behaviour and growth, and improve predictive models. Joao highlights how this technology can reduce the need for manual handling, support management decisions, and enhance sustainability by enabling accurate estimates of feed intake and carbon footprint. He also emphasises the importance of rigorous research and data collection to ensure models are reliable and practical for onfarm use.

 

Dr Claudia Kamphuis, a researcher from Wageningen University in the Netherlands discusses how precision dairy research has evolved from monitoring animal health and labour efficiency to using AI, machine learning and computer vision to handle complex data. She explains the concept of digital twins or digital models of farms, and how they can support onfarm decision making, while noting much of this technology is still in the research stage and depends on companies to develop practical applications. She highlights the need for collaboration between animal scientists, plant scientists and data experts to make sense of large data volumes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.