In this Progressive Dairy podcast episode, four dairy producers discuss how they best utilize dairy data technologies and systems to maximize efficiency, profitability and results. They recently participated in a panel discussion moderated by Editor Walt Cooley during the Data and Innovation Summit, held in conjunction with the National Holstein Convention. 

The four dairy producers include: Mack Drees, Drees Holsteins; Dr. Portia Seckerson, Blue Horizons Dairy/Northern Valley Livestock Services; Chris Szydel, Pagels Ponderosa; and Bob Webb, Summit Farms.

Here is a breakdown of the episode:

• Mack Drees’ presentation [~2:00]
• Bob Webb’s presentation [~12:45]
• Chris Szydel’s presentation [~17:00]
• Dr. Portia Seckerson’s presentation [~29:20]
• What is the one technology you use that is most optimal in your opinion and you would miss the most if you lost it? [~37:00]
• Out of these categories – automation, breeding, cow health, compliance/employee engagement, time management for financial performance, and milk quality – which is the highest priority when making a technology decision? [~40:20]
• Dr. Seckerson, what platform are you using at your practice to benchmark across herds? {~44:00]
• Now that you have multiple systems in place, in hindsight is there any that you would have swapped the order in which you installed them? [~44:30)
• What are the most promising technologies that are coming out that will be additive to what you are doing on your farms? [~48:35]
• Walt’s take-home messages from the panel discussion [~56:15]