Programme

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Wednesday 03 December
Optional farming tours

8.00am

Farm Tours - SOLD OUT
Kindly sponsored by CowManager

Farm tours depart
Please note these tours are currently SOLD OUT. Please join our waitlist at time of registration.

  • As part of the 4th International Precision Dairy Farming Conference, delegates are invited to join a farm tour showcasing technology and data-driven decision-making on New Zealand’s pasture-based dairy systems.

    The tour will visit two commercial Canterbury farms milking up to 1,000 cows, where farmers have used wearable technologies over several seasons to monitor cow health, reproduction, behaviour, and even manage virtual herding of cows. Alongside wearables, the farms employ a range of digital tools to improve efficiency in pasture management and overall farm performance.

    Participants will hear directly from farmers about the impact of these innovations, as well as from industry professionals who will share perspectives on translating data into better decisions.

    This tour is a highlight of the conference, offering practical insights into how digital solutions are being applied on-farm and how data is reshaping dairy management.

    Cow Manager is the official sponsor of the 4th International Precision Dairy Farming Conference Farm Tour.

    Please note: the farm tour is currently SOLD OUT. Please join our waitlist at time of registration.

  • In order to minimise the risk of transmission of exotic animal or plant diseases, vectors and pests, whether locally or internationally, to any farm visited during the Conference, we will adhere to the following policy and procedure:

    • Visitors coming from countries that aren't considered free from FMD should not visit any farm in New Zealand for 7 days after arrival in the country. We will refer to the following website for Foot and Mouth (FMD) official status: Foot and mouth disease - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health

    • Visitors coming from countries that are considered free from FMD should avoid, if possible, visiting any farm in New Zealand for 7 days from their last contact with animals.

    • Any footwear and clothing to be used on farm should be closed in toe footwear and thoroughly cleaned before arrival to remove all organic matter. Additionally, footwear will be disinfected with Virkon or equivalent upon arrival on the farm to be visited, or disposable shoe-protectors might be provided.

5.00pm

Farm tours to return

6.00pm

Welcome Function / Social Function
Kindly sponsored by Gallagher

Thursday 04 December

8.00am

Registration opens

9.00am

Mihi whakatau and welcome

9.45am

Can artificial intelligence truly transform livestock and feed industries, or are we overpromising?
Assistant Professor Joao Dorea University Wisconsin Madison, United States

10.30am

Morning tea amongst the exhibitors
Kindly sponsored by Barenbrug

11.00am

Concurrent Session #1

  • 11.00am
    Minimal Requirements for Data-Driven Applications: A Bio-Economic Modelling Perspective
    Mariska van der Voort, Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands

    11.30am
    Profiling dairy farm worker daily fatigue and stress with digital technology
    Lucy Hall, DairyNZ, NZ

    11.45am
    Student Perceptions of Sensor Technologies in Dairy Farming: Insights for Veterinary and Agricultural Education
    Michael Iwersen, Centre for Systems Transformation and Sustainability, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, Austria

    12.00pm
    Artificial Intelligence for New Zealand Dairy Farmers
    Rachel Durie, Perrin Ag, NZ

    12.10pm
    Evaluating the impacts of milking management technologies on the labour efficiency, productivity and profitability of Irish dairy farms
    Bernadette O’Brien, Teagasc, Ireland

    12.20pm
    Exploring on-animal sensor data use for decision-making in pasture-based dairy systems: a qualitative study of farmers and advisors
    Stacey Hendriks, DairyNZ, NZ

    12.25pm
    Unlocking the potential of AI Chatbots: A case study with New Zealand dairy farmers
    Mos Sharif, AgResearch, DairyNZ, NZ

  • 11.00am
    Monitoring rumen temperatures in lactating dairy cows with focus on heat stress
    Gundula Hoffmann, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Germany

    11.15am
    The association of calculated heat stress on rumination time in Holstein and Jersey cows
    Francesca Pharo, University of New Hampshire, US

    11.30am
    Heat Stress in dairy cattle: comparison of novel sensor based metrics with production and physiological measures
    Chenyu Zhang, University of Reading, UK

    11.45am
    Combining wearable data to create cow behaviour profiles that provide insight on individual differences in response to heat stress
    Charlotte Reed, DairyNZ, NZ

    12.00pm
    Impact of Temperature-Humidity Index Zones on Freestall Barn Air Quality Metrics Assessed Using Continuous Monitoring Technology
    Jeffrey Bewley, Holstein Association USA, US

    12.05pm
    Using wearable sensor data from collars and ear tags to quantify animals’ behavioral responses to weather variability
    Regina Eckhardt, Technical University of Munich, Germany

    12.10pm
    Unraveling cows’ response to weather through respiration rate and drooling
    Kirsty Verhoek, DairyNZ, NZ

    12.15pm
    Exploring sensor technologies for assessing cow response to heat stress events
    Kirsty Verhoek, DairyNZ, NZ

    12.20pm
    Physiological and behavioural responses to environmental heat load in lactating dairy cows fed pasture with variable proportions of Plantago lanceolata
    Roshean Woods, DairyNZ, NZ

    12.25pm
    Association between three phenotypic indicators of heat stress in dairy cattle
    Alice Shirley, University of Sydney, AUS

  • 11.00am
    The future contribution of precision dairy measurements to genetic gain in pasture based dairy industries
    Peter Amer, AbacusBio Limited, NZ

    11.15am
    ICAR IDF initiative on sensor data for functional traits: Genetics and reference standards for rumination
    Miel Hostens, Cornell University, US

    11.30am
    Variation in heifer rumination before breeding, and the relationships with fertility
    Susanne Meier, DairyNZ, NZ

    11.45am
    Enhancing Estrus Detection in Dairy Cows Through Multi-Sensor Integration and Cycle-Specific Labeling Approaches
    Pongsanun Khamta, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

    12.00pm
    The Curious Cow: Using Precision Technology to Link Personality Traits with Behavior and Milk Yield
    Heather W. Neave, Purdue University, US

    12.05pm
    Activity-based first estrus detection in grazing heifers and first-lactation dairy cows 
    Simon Woodward, DairyNZ, NZ

    12.10pm
    Investigating the Association Between Herd-i Lameness Scores and Reproductive Outcomes on a Dairy Farm
    Winston Mason, Epivets, NZ

    12.15pm
    Daily rumination time in early lactation dairy cows with divergent genetic merit for fertility
    Charlotte Reed, DairyNZ, NZ

    12.20pm
    Evaluation of early reproductive success machine learning prediction in commercial us dairies
    Marcia Endres, University Of Minnesota, US

12.30pm

Lunch amongst the exhibitors
Kindly sponsored by Agricom

1.30pm

Concurrent Session #2

  • 1.30pm
    Multi-Sensor Modeling for Individual Dairy Cow Behavior Classification Using Accelerometer and Gyroscope Data
    Pongsanun Khamta, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

    1.45pm
    Measuring and modelling shade use by grazing dairy cows
    Simon Woodward, DairyNZ, NZ

    2.00pm
    Computer vision classification of ear postures as a preliminary scalable approach to automated on-farm detection of emotional state in dairy cows
    Kevan Cote, Moose Data Limited, NZ

    2.15pm
    Investigating Circadian Rhythms’ Impact on Animal Welfare in Precision Dairy Research for Lactating Cattle
    Rielle Perttu, University of Minnesota, US

    2.30pm
    A preliminary study on virtual fencing
    Bernadette O'Brien, Teagasc, Ireland

    2.35pm
    Using RFID ear tags to measure resource use behaviour in dairy cattle as a possible indicator of positive mental state
    Laura Hunter, Agresearch Ltd, NZ

    2.40pm
    Use of on-animal sensors to describe voluntary use of a wooded area by pastured dairy cows
    Paul Edwards, DairyNZ, NZ

    2.45pm
    An investigation of the impact of various calf-feeding systems on growth, first-lactation performance and emissions intensity
    Magdalena Bremer, Dairy Trust Taranaki, NZ

    2.50pm
    Behavioural and Physiological Cow Variability Through Precision Dairy Technologies: A Comprehensive Analysis
    Joao Costa, University of Vermont – Burlington, US

  • 1.30pm
    Preparing Cows for Automation: Training Strategies to Improve Adaptation and Voluntary Milking Behavior
    Trevor DeVries, University of Guelph, Canada

    1.45pm
    Designing Farm Intelligence: Five Insights from Multi-System Practice
    Line Ferriman, CowSmart, NZ

    2.00pm
    A Vision-Based Cattle Management System for Automated Monitoring of Jersey Cattle Brush Usage
    Li Lyu, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    2.15pm
    A Foundational Framework for Animal Behavior Analysis Using Computer Vision
    Miel Hostens, Cornell University, US

    2.30pm
    Associations between milk persistency, cow behaviour, and feed efficiency
    Fernando Masia, Lely International N.V. Netherlands

    2.35pm
    Barn layouts and factors associated with Behaviour, Udder Health and Herd Performance in Automatic Milking Systems in a Mega Robotic Dairy Cow Farm
    Enrique Bombal, DeLaval, Chile

    2.40pm
    Monitoring Animal Welfare in AMS Dairy Farms: Insights from Different Production Systems in Argentina
    Enrique Bombal, DeLaval, Chile

    2.45pm
    AI for cattle tracking and behaviour identification from video footage
    Anna Chlingaryan, The University of Sydney, AUS

    2.50pm
    Cow flow matters: grazing behaviour and milk yield in a subtropical pasture-based automatic milking system
    Lucia Del Carmen Betancor, Inia, Uruguay

    2.55pm
    Integrating Smartphone Vision and AI for On-Farm Pasture Measurement and Grazing Decision Support
    Jeremy Bryant, Aimer Farming, NZ

  • 1.30pm
    Utility of an in-line somatic cell count sensor for selecting cows for dry-cow therapy
    Rob Orchard, MSD Animal Health, NZ

    1.45pm
    Uterine health is associated with detection of estrus by automated activity monitors and subsequent fertility
    Lucio Campora, University of Guelph, Canada

    2.00pm
    Precision Livestock Management: Tailoring Management Practices for Dairy Cattle Based on Individual Variability and Characteristics
    Joao Costa, University of Vermont – Burlington, US

    2.15pm
    Cost-effectiveness of somatic cell count monitoring systems in smallholder dairy farms
    Achmad Fadillah, IPB University, Indonesia

    2.30pm
    Impact of early or late age at group housing on health and behavior of suckling dairy calves
    Matt Buckley, MSD Animal Health, NZ

    2.35pm
    Transition period rumination time and its association with milk production in new zealand dairy cows
    Matt Buckley, MSD Animal Health, NZ

    2.40pm
    Factors influencing the value of automated mastitis detection technology in seasonal calving systems
    Callum Eastwood, DairyNZ, NZ

    2.45pm
    Variation in calf drinking behaviour on an automatic milk feeder
    Racheal Bryant, Lincoln University, NZ

    2.50pm
    Artificial Intelligence for dairy calf management: Current trends, and visions for the future
    Melissa Cantor, Penn State University, US

3.00pm

Afternoon tea amongst the exhibitors
Kindly Sponsored by Primary Purpose

3.30pm

Boosting the Precision Dairy Farming domain through Data Science
Dr Claudia Kamphuis Wageningen University, The Netherlands

  • Kindly sponsored by T. R. Ellett Agricultural Research Trust

    • Behavioural and environmental needs of grazing dairy cows: a systematic review of technology-enabled indicators.
      Stacey Hendriks, DairyNZ, NZ

    • Dairy farmers’ willingness to share digital animal welfare-related data.
      Henrike Grotsch, Kiel University of Applied Sciences, Germany

    • High-throughput sensor technologies for identifying early indicators of pasture persistence risk.
      Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Agriculture Victoria Research, Australia

    • Developing a calf feeding behavior alert to classify training success using automated milk feeder data
      Breanna Bone, The Pennsylvania State University, US

    • Precision Dairy Farming Modelling: Seeing what averages can’t show
      Duy Tran, AgResearch, NZ

4.00pm

4.30pm

Challenges and opportunities - Robot technology transfer from horticulture to dairy farms
Professor Mike Duke University of Waikato, New Zealand

5.10pm

Day two concludes

7.00pm

Conference Dinner
Kindly sponsored by Ravensdown

Friday 05 December

7.45am

Registration opens

8.30am

Welcome to Day Two

8.40am

What have the social scientists ever done for us? Opening up inter-disciplinary precision dairy research beyond techno-optimism and adoption
Professor David Rose Harper Adams University, United Kingdom

9.20am

Dairy Farmer Panel Discussion
Facilitator: Tony Finch, DairyNZ
Peter Morgan, Dairy Farmer, Waikato
Sharn Roskam, Dairy Farmer, Southland
Stuart Taylor, Craigmore Sustainables NZ

10.00am

The Halter story of innovation and disruption
Craig Piggott Founder and CEO, Halter, New Zealand

10.30am

Morning tea amongst the exhibitors
Kindly sponsored by Pioneer Brand Products

11.00am

Concurrent Session #3

  • 11.00am
    Practice learnings from 12 months of engaging farmers in wearable focus groups
    David Hawkins, Franklin Vets, NZ

    11.15am
    Precision with purpose: Integrating data and rural professional insight to transform on-farm decision making
    Krispin Kannan, Veterinaryfirst Te Awamutu, NZ

    11.30am
    Practical use of wearable data – Sensehub collar fertility reports
    Ryan Luckman, Veterinary Centre Waimate, NZ

    11.45am
    Utilising CowManager Data Insights to Optimise Reproductive Performance in Seasonal, Pasture-Based Dairy Systems
    Kyle Kannan, Vetplus, NZ

    12.00pm
    Mastering mastitis - our milk quality journey
    Holly Jackson, Jackson Partnership Ltd, NZ

    12.05pm
    Improper backing gate use within cowsheds leads to increases in milking times and lameness
    Richard Appleby, Livestock Visibility Solutions, NZ

    12.10pm
    Who? What? Wearable!: Lessons from Vet-Led Farmer Panels on Precision Dairy Adoption
    Kirsty Ashcroft, Anexa Veterinary Services, NZ

    12.15pm
    In-vivo monitoring: Unmatched precision via Bolus Sensors
    Jeff Hill, smaXtec, NZ

    12.20pm
    On-farm use of virtual fencing in grazed dairy farm systems
    Brian Dela Rue, DairyNZ, NZ

  • Kindly sponsored by On Farm Support Team - a service of the Ministry for Primary Industries

    11.00am
    Use of drone based remote sensing to determine the spatial distribution of cattle dung under conventional and regenerative management
    Zach Dewhurst, Landcare Research, NZ

    11.15am
    Agscent GHG Methane Measurement Solution for On-Farm Decision Making in Dairy Systems
    Darren Price, Agscent Pty Ltd, AUS

    11.30am
    Feed conversion efficiency prediction based on measured CO2 production from lactating dairy cows
    Aj Jonker, Agresearch Ltd. NZ

    11.45am
    Using daily milk meter and walk-over scale data to improve the prediction of dairy cow-level enteric methane emissions
    Juan Rocha, Massey University, NZ

    12.00pm
    A prototype milk-based indicator tool for farmers to manage herd dietary nitrogen surplus and reduce nitrogen loss risk in pasture-based dairy systems
    Roshean Woods, DairyNZ, NZ

    12.05pm
    A Soil Health Dashboard for New Zealand Pastoral Soils
    Nicole Schon, Agresearch NZ Ltd, NZ

    12.10pm
    Improving Management of Dairy Farm Effluent Using IoT Technologies
    Ross Aimer, Farm Water Management, NZ

    12.15pm
    Water - more than a commodity…
    J Legg, MHV Water Ltd, NZ

    12.20pm
    The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) data in life cycle assessment (LCA) for estimating the impact of farming on biodiversity
    Tim Driver, AgResearch, NZ

  • 11.00am
    Precision control of vacuum and pulsation in conventional milking systems
    Douglas J. Reinemann, Univeristy of Wisconsin - Madison, US

    11.15am
    Assessment of low-cost Near InfraRed sensor for detection of milk de novo fatty acids
    Marlon Reis, Agresearch, NZ

    11.30am
    Enhancing Efficiency, Traceability, and Sustainability in Dairy Farming through Precision Agriculture Technologies
    Harry Jassal, Vantage New Zealand, NZ

    11.45am
    Standardisation Enables Digitisation Enables interoperability Enables Optimisation
    Kenneth Irons, Iso Standards Tc347, NZ

    12.00pm
    Precision control of automatic milking systems
    Douglas J. Reinemann, Univeristy of Wisconsin - Madison, US

    12.05pm
    Revision of ISO standards for milking machines for cows, water buffaloes, sheep and goats - ISO 21355
    John Baines, Milking Equipment Association (UK), UK

    12.10pm
    Effect of different vacuum settings on cow comfort
    Douglas J. Reinemann, University of Wisconsin, US

    12.15pm
    Utilising machine vision to reduce labour by automating teat spraying on pastoral farms 
    Ben Morris, Gea Farm Technologies (NZ) Ltd, NZ

    12.20pm
    Identification of Detrimental Milk Flow Patterns in Dairy Cows Using Machine Learning: Implications for Milk Yield
    Maria Belen Ugarte, University of Florida, US

    12.25pm
    Validation of a computer-vision artificial intelligence milking parlour monitoring system
    Trevor DeVries, University of Guelph, Canada

12.30pm

Lunch amongst the exhibitors
Kindly sponsored by Eagle Direct

1.30pm

Concurrent Session #4

  • 1.30pm
    Farm-level needs for improved data and analytics in decision making
    Callum Eastwood, DairyNZ, NZ

    1.45pm
    Beyond the Brochure: A Dealer’s Perspective on Precision Dairy Technology Adoption in the Real World
    Thomas Allison, Gareth Howells Livestock & Dairy Technology Limited, Ireland

    2.00pm
    What ‘smart’ technologies are Irish dairy farmers using and why? Drivers and barriers to technology adoption in a pasture-based system
    Lisa Parce, Teagasc, Ireland

    2.15pm
    Redefining excellence in agribusiness advisory: the role of the rural advisor in the modern world
    James Allen, AgFirst, NZ

    2.30pm
    Using a step-by-step visual training App (Knowby) to upskill farm teams, increase autonomy, performance, and job satisfaction
    Grant Rogers, Knowby, NZ

    2.35pm
    Perception of Chilean dairy farmers regarding an App for an early warning and monitoring system for heat stress
    Rodrigo Aria, Universidad Austral De Chile, Chile

    2.40pm
    B+LNZ Dairy Beef Progeny Test
    Jim Inglis, B+LNZ, NZ

    2.45pm
    Use of the CLEANED tool as a precision feeding strategy for feeding agro-industrial by-products to dairy cows in the Peruvian Amazon
    Eduardo Fuentes, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Peru

    2.50pm
    Augmented reality in dairy farming: improving productivity and training efficiency
    Abdolabbas Jafari, Lincoln Agritech Ltd, NZ

  • 1.30pm
    Comparison of Rumination and Eating Time Measurements of Multiple Wearable Technologies
    Jeffrey Bewley, Holstein Association USA, US

    1.45pm
    Employing collar-based algorithm to predict dry-matter intake for evaluating and improving feed efficiency in dairy-cows
    Roni Yair, Afimilk, Israel

    2.00pm
    A rapid approach to cross-calibration between two sensors for pasture biomass estimation
    Anna Thomson, Agriculture Victoria Research, AUS

    2.15pm
    Potential of advanced geospatial technologies and machine learning in precision mapping of land and pasture resources on dairy farms 
    Duy Tran, Agresearch Ltd, AUS

    2.30pm
    In search of the Holy Grail: Will technology help us measure Pasture Performance?
    Mark Neal, DairyNZ, NZ

    2.35pm
    Integrating APSIM and remote sensing to predict maize silage biomass 
    Sergio Garcia, University of Sydney, AUS

    2.40pm
    A library of dairy forage spectra for the future
    Elizabeth Morse-McNabb, Agriculture Victoria Research, AUS

    2.45pm
    The use of image analysis to quantify plantain content in mixed swards
    Lisa Box, Agresearch, NZ

    2.50pm
    Managing pasture with precision
    Toby Hurley, Halter, NZ

  • 1.30pm
    Data management in dairy research
    Elizabeth Morse-McNabb, Agriculture Victoria Research, AUS

    1.45pm
    The use and impacts of precision livestock farming technologies on dairy farms: a post-adoption study
    Joanne Sharpe, Harper Adams University, UK

    2.00pm
    Application of PID control to support dairy heifer planning
    Albert De Vries, University of Florida, US

    2.15pm
    Enhancing global interoperability in livestock data
    Andrew Cooke, Map of Agriculture, NZ

    2.30pm
    Technological change, milking-related practices, and the features of highly efficient milking in pasture-based systems
    Brian Dela Rue, Dairy NZ, NZ

    2.35pm
    Data focussed projects for dairy systems viewed through a national lens
    John Penry, Dairy Australia, AUS

    2.40pm
    Utilising animal behaviour data to enhance farm performance
    Ben McArthur, Halter, NZ

    2.45pm
    The impact of expanding data connectivity in Australian herds
    Erika Oakes, Datagene Limited, AUS

    2.50pm
    Dairy data, science and reporting using a Modern Science Workflow
    Mark Neal and Paul Edwards, DairyNZ, NZ

3.00pm

Afternoon tea amongst the exhibitors
Kindly sponsored by Eagle Technology

3.30pm

Getting more from our cows – making sense of the innovation shaping farming and society?
Dr Mark Fisher Kotare Bioethics, New Zealand

4.00pm

Unlocking the Potential of Technology in New Zealand’s Unique Dairy Landscape
Dr Jenny Jago DairyNZ, New Zealand

4.30pm

Closing remarks / reflections / summary

4.45pm

Conference concludes

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